Sweet 16 baseball poll: Providence, Ardrey Kell renew rivalry in top-10 matchup

The best high school baseball rivalry in Mecklenburg County renews Tuesday night, and it matches two top 10 teams in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.

Providence (21-1) will host Ardrey Kell (20-2) at 6:30 p.m. The teams will also play Friday at Ardrey Kell.

Providence, which has won 20 straight games, is No. 2 in this week’s poll, one spot behind Charlotte Christian (21-5). Ardrey Kell (20-2) moved up one spots to No. 6 this week.

The Knights have won six straight games and haven’t lost to a N.C. team all season.

Elsewhere, South Point High, from Belmont, joins the rankings this week at No. 16.

The rankings are compiled by longtime N.C. baseball expert Tripp Roakes. The Sweet 16 champion, at the end of the season, will receive a large banner.

The Observer’s Sweet 16 baseball poll

Rk., School, Rec., Prvs.

1. Charlotte Christian (21-5), 1

2. Providence (21-1), 2

3. Myers Park (18-3), 3

4. Metrolina Christian Academy (21-3), 4

5. Charlotte Catholic (18-3), 5

6. Ardrey Kell (20-2), 7

7. Marvin Ridge (14-6), 8

8. Cuthbertson (16-4), 9

9. Gaston Christian (16-2), 14

10. Hickory Ridge (16-2), 10

11. Hough (12-7), 11

12. North Lincoln (17-2), 6

13. Providence Day (13-5-1), 16

14. Cherryville (15-2), 12

15. Lincoln Charter (15-5), 13

16. South Point (15-3), NR

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

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Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz -- a West Charlotte High and UNC grad -- is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription