North Carolina High School Athletic Association finalizes 2025 conference realignment plan

Lenoir County Public Schools has made significant strides in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's realignment process, ensuring better opportunities for student-athletes across the district. During the April 7, 2025, board meeting, officials provided a final update on the new classification system, which expands the number of classifications from four to eight based on student enrollment.

This change aims to create fairer competition and enhance student participation in various sports. The board highlighted the successful appeals made by local schools, particularly South O'Neill High School, which argued for a more competitive placement based on student interests and access to sports like wrestling, cross country, soccer, and softball. The administration's efforts were recognized as instrumental in securing favorable placements for the schools.

As a result of the realignment, North North High School will compete in the 3 Rivers 4A Conference alongside Eastern Wayne, North Johnson, North Pitt, Southwest Edgecomb, Washington High School, and West Craven. South O'Neill High School has been placed in the East Central 3A/4A split conference, while Kinston High School will join the Eastern Plains 2A/3A Split Conference.

Moving forward, school administrators and athletic directors are now tasked with coordinating schedules, game start times, and budgets with their new conference partners. This collaborative effort is expected to enhance the athletic experience for students and foster a stronger sense of community among the schools. The board's proactive approach in navigating the realignment process underscores its commitment to providing quality athletic opportunities for all students in Lenoir County.