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News & Observer Sweet 16 poll: Hillside creeps into Top 5 as division showdowns loom

The first big division showdown in the Raleigh area has come and gone, with Millbrook putting up big numbers in a win over Heritage. Now comes the fun part: The Wildcats will face perennial contender Rolesville on the road this week, followed by showdowns with Knightdale, Wakefield and Wake Forest, who are a combined 16-8 this season.

Elsewhere, Cleveland, again the top team in our poll, already has three conference wins under its belt after a win over Fuquay-Varina last weekend. Its final four games are all winnable, and it’s possible the Rams could have the division sewn up in a matter of two weeks.

There are still five teams in our Top 16 without a loss.

Here’s how the Triangle Sweet 16 shakes out this week:

Triangle Sweet 16

Rk.

School

Class

Record

1.

Cleveland

NCHSAA 4A

6-0

2.

Cardinal Gibbons

NCHSAA 4A

4-2

3.

Millbrook

NCHSAA 4A

6-0

4.

Wake Forest

NCHSAA 4A

5-1

5.

Hillside

NCHSAA 4A

6-0

6.

Rolesville

NCHSAA 4A

4-2

7.

Ravenscroft

NCISAA

7-0

8.

Apex

NCHSAA 4A

6-0

9.

Leesville Road

NCHSAA 4A

5-1

10.

Riverside

NCHSAA 4A

5-1

11.

Heritage

NCHSAA 4A

5-1

12.

Holly Springs

NCHSAA 4A

5-1

13.

Knightdale

NCHSAA 4A

5-1

14.

Middle Creek

NCHSAA 4A

4-2

15.

Chapel Hill

NCHSAA 4A

4-1

16.

South Garner

NCHSAA 4A

4-2