WINCHESTER — The Virginia High School League Executive Committee approved on Wednesday a proposal that would eliminate conferences by a unanimous vote, according to VHSL communications director Mike McCall in an email message.
By eliminating conferences, the VHSL postseason would begin with regional play. Currently, each of the six classifications is made up of two regions, and those regions consists of four--to-five conferences each, with conferences serving as the opening level of postseason play.
But, the plan approved by the executive committee on Wednesday would create four regions in each of the six classifications. Details for regional competition will still need to be determined.
This plan would go into effect for the 2017-18 school year. The VHSL’s member schools could possibly overturn the plan when it holds its membership meeting in March, but McCall said that’s unlikely based on the decisiveness of Wednesday’s Executive Committee vote.
In the recommended 24-region alignment plan, Handley, James Wood, Millbrook and Sherando have all been placed in the Group 4A North Region, which consists of 17 teams. The other three regions in Group 4A have 12 teams each, but regional affiliation throughout the state could change once new enrollment figures for the state’s schools are released.
For example, Sherando is a potential candidate to move up to 5A depending on how enrollment figures look. Sherando coordinator of student activities Jason Barbe said last month that enrollment figures likely won’t be announced until April at the earliest.
Clarke County has been placed in the 2A North Region, which currently consists of 12 teams.
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow on Twitter @WinStarSports1
