Havelock to get two new conference foes

Conference realignment is reshaping high school athletics, but unlike on the college level where TV markets and money are huge factors in change, realignment in high school is based on student population.

Havelock will find itself with two new league opponents beginning in 2013-14 seasons under the plan from the N.C. High School Athletic Association.

The new Coastal 3A Conference will feature Havelock, West Craven, West Carteret, Jacksonville and White Oak from the old league. Richlands and Swansboro both grew in student population and have become 3A schools and will join the conference.

Old conference foe Washington is being shifted to a league of northeastern schools, while South Central and D.H. Conley have grown in student population to become 4A schools, and will be part of a new 4A/3A league with New Bern, Greenville Rose, C.B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne.

Swansboro will be a shorter trip for the Rams than the trips to Greenville to play South Central and D.H. Conley, while Richlands is about 62 miles from Havelock High, the same distance to South Central and slightly more than 55 miles to D.H. Conley.

The N.C. High School Athletic Association made travel a high priority when realigning conferences because of the high costs schools must pay for gasoline.

The NCHSAA realigns conferences every four years based on school size to promote more even play.

Schools have until March 1 to appeal the proposal, and a final decision is expected by March 15.