The S.C. High School League's classification for its largest high schools will be split into two divisions for state playoffs for 2024-2026.
The league's executive committee voted 12-1 on Tuesday to split Class AAAAA, which includes 54 of the state's largest high schools, into two divisions. That means there will be two AAAAA state champions in each sport.
Commissioner Jerome Singleton said it will take more days, and more missed class time, to crown two state AAAAA champs in each sport.
"With this addition, in some sports we'll increase the number of days necessary for state championships," he told the committee. "... Some school time will have to be compromised; the days only have 24 hours in them, and for us to get it done, some of them will require going on during the school day.
"... It is going to be unique, moving to what we will call six championships instead of five, or in some cases, four or three. Venues will be a challenge, but we'll find a way to get it done."
Class AAAAA has grown from 36 to 54 schools in the realignment for 2024-2026, in part due to use of a multiplier for out-of-zone students. That led to calls from administrators and athletic directors to split the largest classification.
For most sports, 48 teams from Class AAAAA will make the playoffs; 24 in Division I (divided between Upper and Lower State) and 24 in Division II (divided between Upper and Lower State).
In the Charleston area, Region 7-AAAAA will include Berkeley, Cane Bay, Goose Creek, Lucy Beckham, Stratford and Wando. Cane Bay, Stratford and Wando are slated to be in Division I for playoffs; Berkeley, Goose Creek and Lucy Beckham are Division II.
Region 8-AAAAA is made up of Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, James Island, Stall, Summerville and West Ashley; all are slated for Division I.
Singleton also mentioned that Senate bill S. 1173, which addresses the governance of high school sports in South Carolina, will be discussed by the Senate education committee on April 24. The bill could potentially change the way high school sports are governed in the state.
"I plan to be in attendance," Singleton said. "If you've got influence over any legislator, you know the impact of 1173. You may want to touch base with them and make your presence know."
Singleton also laid out a couple of potential priorities for the executive committee in the next school year: Rules on transfers and unsportsmanlike conduct.
"Explore a more simplified transfer rule that can replace most of the current transfer rules," Singleton suggested. "What we're trying to do is figure out something; we've got 16 exceptions. Maybe we come up with a rule that encompasses all that and eliminate most our transfer rules.
"There are some that are state or federally mandated, but maybe there's more simplified way to accomplish exactly what we are trying to accomplish."
Class AAAAA regions
Region 1: Easley, Greenville, Greenwood, Hillcrest, JL Mann, Mauldin, TL Hanna Woodmont
Region 2: Boiling Springs, Dorman, Eastside, Gaffney, Byrnes, Riverside, Spartanburg, Wade Hampton
Region 3: Catawba Ridge, Clover, Fort Mill, Indian Land, Nation Ford, Northwestern, Rock Hill
Region 4: Chapin, Dutch Fork, Irmo, Lexington, River Bluff, White Knoll
Region 5: Blythewood, Lugoff-Elgin, Ridge View, Spring Valley, Sumter, Westwood, West Florence
Region 6: Carolina Forest, Conway, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, St. James
Region 7: Berkeley, Cane Bay, Goose Creek, Lucy Beckham, Stratford, Wando
Region 8: Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, James Island, Stall, Summerville, West Ashley
