Sweet 16 poll: West Charlotte boys, Providence Day girls rising

Ardrey Kell is back in the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.

The Knights, who began the year 12-0, suffered a three straight losses in early January. Since then, Ardrey Kell has won five straight games, including last week’s win over Southwestern 4A leading Independence, which fell from No. 11 to No. 15 this week.

Ardrey Kell sophomore Steven Santa-Ana leads teh team in scoring at 18.4 points per game and Tate Small adds 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. Santa-Ana is second in rebounding at 6.0.

No. 1 Olympic remained its spot and West Charlotte moved from No. 3 to No. 2.

In the girls poll, Alexander Central’s girls beat Hickory 72-70 Friday for their second win over Hickory in three games. Hickory won by 31 in a Christmas tournament but Alexander Central won two Northwestern 3A/4A conference games. It’s the first time Hickory has been swept in league play by any team since 2004.

Hickory fell from No. 5 to No. 10.

Also, Ardrey Kell dipped from No. 2, where it had been all season, to No. 4 after a second loss to No. 1 Myers Park. Private school power Ardrey Kell moved to No. 2 and North Mecklenburg jumped to No. 3.

Boys
Rk.    School (Class)    Rec.    Prv
1.    Olympic (4A)    18-0    1
2.    West Charlotte (4A)    17-2    3
3.    Concord (3A)    16-1    5
4.    Vance (4A)    15-3    7
5.    Freedom (3A)    15-3    6
6.    Hough (4A)    15-4    2
7.    Huss (3A)    16-3    8
8.    Shelby (2A)    17-3    9
9.    East Rutherford (2A)    15-4    10
10.    Cuthbertson (2A)    17-2    4
11.    Hickory (3A)    17-3    14
12.    Rock Hill South Pointe (4A)    16-1    16
13.    Ardrey Kell (4A)    17-3    NR
14.    Mallard Creek (4A)    15-5    12
15.    Independence (4A)    15-5    11
16.    Providence Day (IND)    21-5    13
Dropped out: Rock Hill (4A, 15-5).

Girls
Rk.    School (Class)    Rec.    Prv
1.     Myers Park (4A)    20-0    1
2.     Providence Day (IND)    21-3    3
3.    North Mecklenburg (4A)    17-1    4
4.    Ardrey Kell (4A)    18-2    2
5.    Bandys (2A)    18-1    6
6.    Porter Ridge (4A)    14-3    7
7.    Freedom (3A)    18-2    8
8.     West Rowan (3A)    18-1    9
9.     Rock Hill Northwestern (4A)    16-2    12
10.    Hickory (3A)    18-2    5
11.    Weddington (3A)    16-4    15
12.    Alexander Central (4A)    18-3    13
13.    Foard (3A)    13-6    NR
14.    Hough (4A)    12-5    10
15.    Forestview (3A)    14-5    NR
16.    Crest (3A)    13-3    11
Dropped out: Carson (3A, 16-4); East Burke (2A, 14-4)