Realignment Fight Begins

The NCHSAA has made it official as they have drawn boundaries based on school population creating the top twenty per cent in size to be 4A schools.  That will create 71 teams in the state to call themselves 4A.  The 3A level will consist of 114 teams which will be  thirty percent of all schools.  I have tried to divide the 3A schools into the east and west putting 57 teams in the east.

I think one of the main priorities has to be eliminating split conferences where half the teams are 3-A the other half 2-A.  This creates confusion when the playoffs start.  I think the perfect conference has to have eight teams.  If 57 teams are in the east looks as if six conferences could have eight teams  and one nine.  The only problem too many teams stuck out alone and too many school in same region.

The Big East  could have some new members but who.  According to the numbers Nash Central would be the fourth biggest 2-A school.  Heard rumors that they may ask to play up to 3A since word is all four Nash County schools could see realignment again to try to keep them all equal before the NCHSAA realignment goes forward.  Cardinal Gibbons asked to play up in 4A  and if they ask no reason Nash Central couldn't since they are right on the split line.  They would be the smallest in the conference as they are now.

Hunt has 1395, Rocky Mount 1281, Fike 1270, Southern Nash 1128, Northern Nash 1110 and Nash Central 1017.  Here is a real crisis.  Greenville Rose will now be 3A and DH Conley 1628 is 3A. Their numbers just don't match up with the Big East numbers.  Other possibilities Eastern Wayne 1041, Southern Wayne 1100,  CB Aycock 1270.  Their numbers compare to the Big East.  There's even more East Wake 1417 and Franklinton 1120 are stuck east and north of Raleigh without  much company.  Where do they go?

It will be neccessary more than likly to add teams.  The compact not much travel will be lost if Nash Central leaves and say the three Wayne County schools join.  A nine team conference is not bad if the Bulldogs stay but even using I-795 Southern Wayne is more than a hour ride.  I have heard Rose has already asked to join.  If the Big East schools can say yes or no I hope Rose and Conley are voted no. They are too big  compared to all the other options.  I guess the final say on realignment comes from Chapel Hill but if the Big East must grow.  Let's keep teams close  in size to what we are now where every game is competitive.  I hope Nash Central stays and the Wayne County schools are added.