Prep Notes: Check on names of new conferences

As the high school sports season for schools within the North Carolina High School Athletic Association began this week, it’s time to check on the new conference names.

NCHSAA realignment kicks in this school year following the past four-year cycle. The eight member schools from Randolph County are spread among four conferences after occupying spots in just two leagues during the past cycle.

Eastern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph and Uwharrie Charter Academy are in the Four Rivers Conference. They’re joined by Jordan-Matthews, North Moore and Northwood – all previously part of the nine-school Mid-Carolina Conference.

Providence Grove, Trinity and Wheatmore are in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference. They’re joined by schools to the west – East Davidson, West Davidson and Thomasville.

Randleman is in the Piedmont Athletic Conference, with all new conference colleagues. The other schools in the league are High Point Andrews, High Point Central, Central Davidson, Ledford, Lexington and Montgomery Central.

Asheboro is in the Triad Area Athletic Six. While still without any other county schools in their league, the Blue Comets have an entire new list of conference mates compared to the last four years. Those schools are Eastern Guilford, Northeast Guilford, Northern Guilford, Southeast Guilford and Southern Guilford.

Looking back

The Wells Fargo Conference Cup award is a companion to the statewide Wells Fargo State Cup. It’s based on regular-season performances within conference play and is designed to recognize the best interscholastic athletic program in each NCHSAA conference.

Randleman was the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s Conference Cup winner for 2024-25. The PAC included seven schools from Randolph County.

Oak Grove was the top school in the Mid-Piedmont Conference, which included Asheboro.

Kelly’s NCHSAA induction comes Saturday

The induction of retired Trinity coach Tim Kelly into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Embassy Suites in Cary.

Kelly won nearly 600 games and a state championship as boys’ basketball coach, beginning in 1981. He retired following the 2023-24 season. He also coached football and cross country at Trinity.

There are eight inductees in NCHSAA Hall of Fame class.