WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has released its third – and final – conference realignment draft, with changes going into effect in the fall.

The proposal keeps the New Hanover and Brunswick County schools together, except for South Brunswick High School. The Cougars are matched up with schools from Columbus, Bladen, and Robeson Counties.

Pender and Trask would also enter into a new league, with schools from Lenoir, Onslow, and Duplin Counties.

Matt Davis, Pender County’s athletic director, said the schools are pleased with the proposal. He says travel times for conference games could be cut down by as much as half.

“Pretty much everyone’s excited about the new conference,” he said. “They like what they see. It should provide some competitive balance and much closer rides.”

For the first time, schools are split up over eight classifications, ranging from 1A (smallest) to 8A (largest). Previously, there were only four classifications, and Davis said adding more means more competitive balance around the state.

The proposal has East Bladen, West Columbus, and East Columbus in a 1A/2A league together, giving them the chance to play with more schools their size as opposed to larger ones like Whiteville and South Columbus.

Whiteville football coach JP Price said he’s excited about the additional classifications, and says the proposal gives them the chance to remain competitive. The Wolfpack have dominated the Waccamaw Conference in football over recent seasons and made it to the 2A regional championship game this past season.

“You’re not gonna get the best of both worlds all the time,” Price said. “You’re either gonna play teams in your conference that have the same (average daily membership), or you’re gonna have to travel to get that. But, we’re very glad that we have added eight classes, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Schools still have the chance to appeal the proposal before the association’s board of directors approves it.

6A/7A/8A Conference A

• Hoggard (8A)
• Laney (8A)
• Ashley (7A)
• New Hanover (7A)
• North Brunswick (7A)
• West Brunswick (6A)
• Topsail (7A)

3A/4A/5A Conference B

• South Brunswick (5A)
• West Bladen (3A)
• South Columbus (3A)
• Whiteville (3A)
• Fairmont (4A)
• Red Springs (4A)

3A/4A Conference A

• Trask (3A)
• Pender (3A)
• South Lenoir (3A)
• Clinton (4A)
• East Duplin (4A)
• Southwest Onslow (4A)

1A/2A Conference B

• East Bladen (2A)
• West Columbus (2A)
• East Columbus (1A)
• Union (2A)
• North Duplin (2A)
• Hobbton (2A)
• Lakewood (2A)

2A/3A Conference 1

• Wallace-Rose Hill (3A)
• James Kenan (3A)
• Goldsboro (3A)
• Midway (3A)
• Princeton (3A)
• Spring Creek (3A)
• Rosewood (2A)

5A Conference 1

• Dixon (5A)
• Richlands (5A)
• Havelock (5A)
• Northside Jacksonville (5A)
• West Carteret (5A)
• Croatan (5A)

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