The North Carolina High School Athletic Association released its 2026 Baseball Playoff brackets this morning, and eight Johnston County sides will be able to make a run for a state title. Note that the first round begins on Tuesday, May 5, with the second round following on Friday, May 8.
Now, on to the games of local interest:
2A
No. 6 American Leadership Academy has a bye and will host either No. 11 East Bladen or No. 22 West Columbus on Friday.
3A
No. 7 Princeton has a bye and will host either No. 10 Eastern Randolph or No. 23 Northeastern on Friday.
4A
No. 8 North Johnston has a bye and will host either No. 9 Clinton or No. 24 Jordan-Matthews on Friday.
6A
No. 17 Franklinton at No. 16 West Johnston
No. 18 Northern Nash at No. 15 South Johnston
7A
No. 24 Lumberton at No. 9 Clayton
No. 22 Overhills at No. 11 Cleveland
8A
No. 1 Corinth Holders has a bye and will host either No. 8 Green Level or No. 9 Millbrook on Friday.