Here are how the NCISAA conferences and classes have changed since last year
By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor
CONCORD, N.C. — With the fall sports season kicking off this week in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association in some sports, there are a few changes to conference and classifications from last year.
New name
Last year's 3A boys basketball champion has a new name as Concord First Assembly becomes Concord Academy. It's the third name the school has gone by since it opened in 1976, with the first one being First Assembly Christian.
New schools
Bradford Academy (in Mebane), Lake Norman Christian (Huntersville), Liberty Christian (Richlands) are new to the NCISAA this year and are listed as independents.
They bring with them three pretty cool mascots too: Bradford Academy's Archers, Lake Norman Christian's Storm, and Liberty Christian's Heat.
New classifications
There are 18 4A teams, 17 3A teams, 34 2A teams, and 25 1A teams in the NCISAA. A handful of schools switched classifications:
4A (up from 3A): Carmel Christian.
3A: N/A
2A (down from 3A): Caldwell Academy, Salem Academy, Village Christian.
2A (up from 1A): Neuse Christian, John Paul II, The Burlington School.
2A (new schools): Liberty Christian.
1A (new schools): Bradford Academy, Lake Norman Christian.
New conferences
The Raleigh Area Athletic Conference debuts with five Wake County members: Friendship Christian, Neuse Christian, St. Thomas More, Thales Academy Apex, and Thales Academy Rolesville.
Friendship Christian left the Coastal Plains Independent Conference, Neuse Christian and St. Thomas More left the Coastal Independent, while the two Thales schools were previously independent.
The Foothills Athletic Conference opens with four schools: Davidson Day, Hickory Christian, Statesville Christian, and University Christian.
Davidson Day was previously independent, while the other three were in the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association.
Changing conferences
The Mid-Carolina Conference added two members, Community Christian (Wilson) and Southside Christian (Clayton). They replace Neuse Christian and The Burlington School. Community Christian left the Coastal Independent Conference, while Southside Christian was independent.
Going independent
A handful of schools in the NCISAA don't belong to a conference, sometimes by choice.
Joining Carmel Christian and Wesleyan Christian in those ranks this year is The Burlington School. TBS was in the Mid-Carolina Conference last season.
Mount Zion Christian is also listed as an independent. The Warriors were listed as such last year but played in the Carolinas Athletic Association for Schools of Choice instead of the NCISAA.
By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor
CONCORD, N.C. — With the fall sports season kicking off this week in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association in some sports, there are a few changes to conference and classifications from last year.
New name
Last year's 3A boys basketball champion has a new name as Concord First Assembly becomes Concord Academy. It's the third name the school has gone by since it opened in 1976, with the first one being First Assembly Christian.
New schools
Bradford Academy (in Mebane), Lake Norman Christian (Huntersville), Liberty Christian (Richlands) are new to the NCISAA this year and are listed as independents.
They bring with them three pretty cool mascots too: Bradford Academy's Archers, Lake Norman Christian's Storm, and Liberty Christian's Heat.
New classifications
There are 18 4A teams, 17 3A teams, 34 2A teams, and 25 1A teams in the NCISAA. A handful of schools switched classifications:
4A (up from 3A): Carmel Christian.
3A: N/A
2A (down from 3A): Caldwell Academy, Salem Academy, Village Christian.
2A (up from 1A): Neuse Christian, John Paul II, The Burlington School.
2A (new schools): Liberty Christian.
1A (new schools): Bradford Academy, Lake Norman Christian.
New conferences
The Raleigh Area Athletic Conference debuts with five Wake County members: Friendship Christian, Neuse Christian, St. Thomas More, Thales Academy Apex, and Thales Academy Rolesville.
Friendship Christian left the Coastal Plains Independent Conference, Neuse Christian and St. Thomas More left the Coastal Independent, while the two Thales schools were previously independent.
The Foothills Athletic Conference opens with four schools: Davidson Day, Hickory Christian, Statesville Christian, and University Christian.
Davidson Day was previously independent, while the other three were in the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association.
Changing conferences
The Mid-Carolina Conference added two members, Community Christian (Wilson) and Southside Christian (Clayton). They replace Neuse Christian and The Burlington School. Community Christian left the Coastal Independent Conference, while Southside Christian was independent.
Going independent
A handful of schools in the NCISAA don't belong to a conference, sometimes by choice.
Joining Carmel Christian and Wesleyan Christian in those ranks this year is The Burlington School. TBS was in the Mid-Carolina Conference last season.
Mount Zion Christian is also listed as an independent. The Warriors were listed as such last year but played in the Carolinas Athletic Association for Schools of Choice instead of the NCISAA.
