Published: 10:46 PM, Wed Jan 25, 2012
Prep notebook: Conference realignment discussions continue
Tuesday was a long one for South View principal Brian Edkins.
One of the Region 4 representatives to the N.C. High School Athletic Association's realignment committee, Edkins spent a good part of the day in Greenville hearing schools from the eastern part of the state plead their case on changes they'd like to see made in the current proposals on the table for realignment of the state's high school conferences beginning in 2013.
The good news, Edkins said, was the day went about as smooth as he could remember since he's been attending realignment meetings like this one.
"I give a lot of credit to the NCHSAA and the committee chairs,'' Edkins said. "They did a good job of preparing.''
Only one case presented at the Tuesday gathering would affect the proposed conferences for the 10 schools in Cumberland County, Edkins said.
Officials from Western Harnett indicated they aren't happy with being in a league that would include Cleveland, Corinth Holders, Smithfield-Selma, South Johnston and Triton.
They've asked to be moved into the conference with Fayetteville schools Westover, Terry Sanford, Gray's Creek and region schools Southern Lee, Union Pines and Lee County.
Western officials said they had spoken with some of the schools in that proposed conference and met with no opposition about the change.
Edkins said the hottest debate involving region schools was the proposed rearrangement of two 1-A/2-A split conferences. One group proposed those conferences be aligned strictly by class, with all 1-A in one league and all 2-A in another.
The problem with that setup is it would create a real travel hardship for South Robeson, which would be in the same league with schools near the coast such as Pender and Heide Trask.
That would leave South Robeson with a number of road games close to 100 miles away, which poses problems with paying for transportation and getting fans to come to your games.
Edkins said the realignment committee took no action on Tuesday's discussions and will meet again in mid-February to begin considering any potential changes in the proposed plan.
Pine Forest High School basketball standout Alex Bradley has made an oral commitment to play for UNC-Pembroke. Bradley said he made his decision Sunday.
Bradley scored 29 points Tuesday in Pine Forest's come-from-behind win over E.E. Smith that kept the Trojans alone at the top of the Mid-South 4-A Conference standings.
A 5-foot-7 guard, Bradley leads Cumberland County in scoring with 21.8 points per game. He is second behind teammate Isaac Lyerly in 3-point baskets with 51.
He also leads in assists with 4.6 per game and is tied for second in free-throw percentage, hitting 113 of 137 for 82 percent.
Terry Sanford High School will give physicals for spring sports athletes Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the auxiliary gym. Cost is $10 and must be paid in cash with correct change.
For further information, call athletic director Larry Tearry at 484-9462.
Scholastic sports editor Earl Vaughan Jr. can be reached at vaughane@fayobserver.com or 486-3519.