Which three new teams have joined The Sweet 16, the region’s oldest high school poll?
This week, there are three new teams in The Observer’s Sweet 16 regional high school basketball polls.
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 boys’ teams are in: Carmel Christian (15-10) and Hopewell (15-4). Both teams have been ranked previously.
Hopewell has won three straight games and plays No. 6 Chambers at home Tuesday.
Carmel Christian, playing one of the region’s toughest schedules, has won nine straight, led by senior Kam Taylor (25.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and junior Bryce Slay (18.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg).
▪ There is one new team in the girls’ poll: 16-4 Northwest Cabarrus has won five straight games. The team beat J.M. Robinson 70-50 last week and plays at East Rowan Tuesday.
