Mallard Creek climbs Observer Sweet 16 basketball poll

Mallard Creek is climbing in the Observer’s Sweet boys basketball poll.

The Mavericks (13-2) rose four spots to No. 12. Mallard Creek has won its last two games against I-Meck 4A conference rivals Hopewell and North Mecklenburg to pull into a tie for second place in the league standings.

Mallard Creek is off Tuesday and resumes play Friday at Sweet 16 No. 1 West Charlotte in what is the Observer’s overall high school game of the week.

In the girls poll, Myers Park is holding steady at No. 1 under new coach Barbara Nelson. The Mustangs have moved to No. 18 in USA Today’s national poll.

Boys’ Sweet 16
Rk.    School (Class)    Rec.    Prev.
1.    Olympic (4A)    14-0    1
2.    West Charlotte (4A)    13-1    2
3.    Hough (4A)    11-3    3
4.     Cuthbertson (2A)    14-1    4
5.    Concord (3A)    13-1    5
6.    Hunter Huss (3A)    12-2    6
7.    Hickory (3A)    12-2    7
8.    Rock Hill (4A)    10-3    8
9.    RH ock Hill South Pointe (4A)    10-1    9
10.    Shelby (2A)    14-2    13
11.    East Rutherford (2A)    11-3    14
12.     Mallard Creek (4A)    13-2    16
13.    Freedom (3A)    11-3    11
14.    Vance (4A)    11-3    NR
15.    Independence (4A)    11-4    NR
16.     Providence Day (IND)    15-4    12
Dropped out: Ardrey Kell (4A, 12-3), East Burke (2A, 9-4). Also receiving consideration: Lake Norman (4A, 10-4); Charlotte Latin (IND, 14-2); Piedmont (2A, 13-1); West Caldwell (2A, 10-3); Foard (3A, 13-2); Statesville (3A, 10-2); North Rowan (1A, 11-3)

Girls’ Sweet 16
Rk.    School (Class)    Rec.    Prev.
1.    Myers Park (4A)    15-0    1
2.    Ardrey Kell (4A)    14-1    2
3.    Providence Day (IND)    13-3    4
4.    West Rowan (3A)    14-0    5
5.    North Mecklenburg (4A)    14-1    6
6.    Hickory (3A)    13-1    3
7.    Bandys (2A)    12-1    7
8.    Porter Ridge (4A)    11-3    8
9.    Freedom (3A)    13-2    9
10.    Weddington (3A)    12-3    10
11.    Hough (4A)    9-3    11
12.    East Burke (2A)    11-2    12
13.    Crest (3A)    11-2    14
14.    RH Northwestern (4A)    11-2    15
15.    Alexander Central (4A)    14-2    NR
16.    Carson (3A)    13-3    NR
Dropped out: Clover, S.C. (4A, 13-3); Mallard Creek (4A, 11-4). Also receiving consideration: Berry (3A, 11-4); Harding (3A, 8-4); South Point (3A, 11-2)