Three new teams, including one from SC, move into The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll
Three new teams join The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 boys’ and girls’ high school basketball polls this week.
The Sweet 16, which began in the 1984-85 season, ranks the top teams in the media company’s coverage area, which includes schools in the following counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lancaster, Lincoln, Union and York.
Rankings are based on strength of schedule, strength of a classification, team success within that classification and head-to-head competition between teams ranked in the Sweet 16. It does not consider how ranked teams would fare against each other — or other unranked teams — unless those teams actually meet.
The Sweet 16 champions, named at the end of the season, will get a banner to hang in the school’s gym.
▪ Two new teams are in the boys’ poll: Fort Mill’s Catawba Ridge (15-2) has won five straight games, led by senior Zyan Hager (20.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and sophomore Lance Barnes (18 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg).
And returning this week is 11-3 Hopewell, which has won four of its last six, losing to No. 2 North Meck and No. 11 Chambers.
▪ There’s one new team in the girls’ poll: 14-5 Providence Day is in at No. 13. The longtime NC private school power has won eight straight games and faces No. 4 Cannon School on Friday in one of the state’s top games this week.
This story was originally published January 16, 2024 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Three new teams, including one from SC, move into The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll."
