High School Basketball Update: NC, SC live scores, Observer Sweet 16
Heading into a busy week of games, there are four new teams in The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 basketball polls.
In the boys’ poll, there is one new team as Weddington joins at No. 14. The Warriors, who have won state championships in two of the past three seasons, have started 6-0.
There are three new girls’ teams: No. 13 Marvin Ridge (4-0), No. 14 Charlotte Country Day (7-2) and No. 16 Cox Mill (4-2). The top seven teams remaine the same as last week.
The top two teams in the girls’ poll — No. 1 Independence and No. 2 Charlotte Catholic — play each other Tuesday.
Polls and previews below:
Live Scores
Tuesday’s key games, schedule
No. 2 Charlotte Catholic girls (5-0, 1-0 Southwestern 4A) at No. 1 Independence (7-0, 0-0), 6 p.m. – This could be the biggest game in the state Tuesday night. Blanca Thomas, the Cougars’ 6-foot-6 senior center, averages 17.8 points and 11.5 rebounds a game. Graceyn Hough also is averaging 17.8 points, with 8.5 rebounds a contest. Independence’s leader is 5-9 junior Kam Kitchen (19.1 points a game), but Kitchen gets help from senior Kaylee Carson (17.9 ppg) and senior Jessica Worthey (10.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg).
No. 11 Ardrey Kell girls (7-1) at No. 13 Marvin Ridge (4-0), 6 p.m. – Ardrey Kell’s only loss this season was to second-ranked Charlotte Catholic. Senior Molly Burns leads the Knights with 19.3 points a game, and sophomore Autumn Washington has 14.0 ppg and 10.3 rpg. Ella Chepul, a 6-0 forward, gives Marvin Ridge a strong inside presence. She is averaging 14.1 points a game.
Palisades (5-2, 1-0 SoMeck 4A) at No. 1 Myers Park (4-2, 0-0), around 7:30 p.m. – The visiting Pumas are off to a good start in their second year of varsity sports. Kingston Henry,, a 6-0 sophomore point guard, leads the team with 12.6 points per game. Myers Park is coming off a weekend overtime loss to nationally-ranked St. Paul VI in Washington. Sadiq White is averaging 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds a game, and Bishop Boswell has averages of 15.5 points and 5.5 assists.
Charlotte Catholic (5-1, 1-0 Southwestern 4A) at Independence (4-3, 0-0), around 7:30 p.m. – The girls’ game is getting the headline, but fans should hang around for the boys’ contest. Chris Eason, a 6-8 junior, leads the Cougars with 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. Independence is shooting 48 percent from the floor, and leading scorer Yancy Thomason is hitting 50 percent of his shots.
Lincolnton (5-0) at Cherryville (5-1), around 7:30 p.m. – Lincolnton’s L.J. Smith is the next big thing — a 6-4 freshman who is averaging 32.2 points and 8.4 rebounds a contest. Cherryville counters with Andron Patterson, who is averaging 10.0 points and an eye-opening 15.8 rebounds a contest; and Darrien Floyd (11.5 ppg).
Tuesday’s area schedule
(all matchups are girls’ and boys’ doubleheaders, unless otherwise noted)
Queen City 3A-4A
Chambers at Hough
Mallard Creek at Hopewell
North Mecklenburg at Harding
West Mecklenburg at West Charlotte
SoMeck 4A
Palisades at Myers Park
South Mecklenburg at Berry Academy
Southwestern 4A
Butler at Providence
Charlotte Catholic at Independence
Garinger at East Mecklenburg
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King at Mountain Island Charter
Langtree Charter at Corvian Community
Lincoln Charter at Community School of Davidson
Nonconference
Ardrey Kell at Marvin Ridge
Carolina International at United Faith Christian (boys)
Carolina International at Jackson Day (girls)
Central Academy at Montgomery Central
Davie County at North Iredell
East Gaston at Olympic
East Lincoln at Ashbrook
Elevation Prep at Rock Hill (boys)
Fort Mill (SC) at South Point
Greater Cabarrus Stallions at South Guilford Home School
Highland Tech at Sugar Creek Charter
Lake Norman at Mount Tabor (boys)
Lee Park Prep at Westminster Catawba (girls)
Lincolnton at Cherryville
Metrolina Christian at South Charlotte Thunder
Northside Christian at Cannon School (boys)
Pine Lake Prep at Lake Norman Charter
Porter Ridge at Forest Hills
Queen’s Grant Charter at Sun Valley
South Iredell at North Lincoln
Union Academy at Hickory Grove Christian
Weddington at Parkwood
S.C. Region 5 2A
Buford at Chesterfield
Central Pageland at North Central
York Prep at Cheraw
S.C. nonconference
Camden at Andrew Jackson
Elevation Prep at Rock Hill (boys)
Fort Mill at South Point
Lancaster at Nation Ford
Legion Collegiate at Christ School (boys)
Northwestern at Spartanburg
York at Union County
