Our friends at HighSchool OT reported this morning that the North Carolina High School Athletic Association released the first draft of its proposed realignment that would be implemented in the fall of 2025.

The key words here are “first draft,” as I’m certain that the final version will look a little different.

So, what’s this mean for Johnston County? Glad you asked:

8A

As one of the largest 32 schools in the state, Corinth Holders would be slotted in a league with Athens Drive, Broughton, Enloe, Leesville Road, Millbrook, Rolesville and Wakefield.

7A

Clayton and Cleveland are projected to share a league with familiar foes Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs and South Garner. Meanwhile, Smithfield-Selma is projected to join Heritage, Knightdale, Southeast Raleigh and Wake Forest in another 7A group.

5/6A

We knew there would be split leagues in the lower classifications, and South Johnston and West Johnston would be 6A schools along with Northern Nash in a split league with 5A schools C.B. Aycock, Fike, Hunt, Rocky Mount, Southern Nash and Southern Wayne.

4A

North Johnston slots here in a sprawling league, along with Eastern Wayne, North Lenoir, North Pitt, SouthWest Edgecombe, Washington and West Craven.

3A

Princeton fits here, along with James Kenan, Midway, Spring Creek, Goldsboro and Wallace-Rose Hill.

2A

American Leadership Academy would be sharing a league with Eno River Academy, Raleigh Charter, Research Triangle, Roxboro Community, Triangle Math and Science and Voyager Academy for most sports. Football is another question.

1A

Neuse Charter would join Ascend Leadership, Central Carolina Academy, Chatham Central, Chatham Charter and Southern Wake Academy in this league.