Thursday, May 1, 2008

New Conference finalized for 2009-2012

It is now official. For the 3rd time in its history, Hickory is a founding member of the Northwestern Conference. The latest incarnation, which begins competition in August of 2009, is the Northwestern 4A/3A, consisting of seven schools: Alexander Central (4A), South Caldwell (4A), Watauga (4A), Hickory (3A), Hibriten (3A), Fred T. Foard (3A) and St. Stephens (3A).

For the record, the CVAC will live on as a strictly 2A league. The Catawba County quartet of Bandys, Bunker Hill, Maiden and Newton-Conover will be joined by Burke County representatives East Burke and Draughn. Due to the opening of Draughn, located in Valdese, East Burke's enrollment will drop to the 2A level. Which means that East Burke will have by far the most elaborate stadium of any 2A school in the state. Rounding out the new CVAC will be Caldwell County slacker West Caldwell and Iredell County up-and-comer South Iredell.

Morganton schools Freedom and Patton, both 3A starting in '09, will be charter members of the new South Mountains 3A/2A Conference. Joining Freedom and Patton in the SMAC will be Cleveland County powers Shelby and Burns, along with the Rutherford County schools, R-S Central, East Rutherford and Chase.

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