The PrepsNow high school coverage area.
Graphic made by J. Mike Blake
mblake@newsobserver.com
MaxPreps’ computer formula will be used this season to help round out the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs in most sports. To decide who gets the higher seed among conference champions, for instance, the MaxPreps ranking will be used to order them.
Once the automatic bids are given out, the rankings will be used to decide who gets the remaining spots.
For the most part, the rankings have looked solid over the years, but there’s no doubt it skews heavily on strength of schedule.
So keep that in mind as we look back to last year’s MaxPreps rankings in all sports, which will help give us an idea of what teams could be the favorite in their new NCHSAA conferences this year.
The numbers can also show how strong a conference is. The Cap-7 Conference’s sixth-best team from a year ago is second in the Northern Athletic. Its fifth-best football team is ranked higher than all of those in the Triangle 6. The Southwest Wake Athletic is brutally tough in baseball and
Rosters change, players graduate and young teams get better, but the rankings can give us at least a little insight as to the conference races ahead of us this year.
Northern Athletic Conference: Corinth Holders Pirates, Heritage Huskies, Knightdale Knights, Rolesville Rams, Wake Forest Cougars and Wakefield Wolverines.
Northern Athletic 4A
COR
HER
KNI
ROL
WFO
WKF
Football
-7.9
40.4
-4
7.7
60.5
26.6
Boys Soccer
9.8
16.9
8.9
-4.5
-1.1
0.4
Volleyball
11.1
-1.5
-3.7
5.3
-3.3
14.1
Boys Basketball
-3.4
29.9
9.2
7.7
9.1
10.8
Girls Basketball
-0.4
29.9
21.5
15.3
7.6
13.6
Baseball
16.2
15.9
-7.6
4.7
7.3
0.8
Softball
6.1
13.6
-5.4
7.5
2.8
-3.3
Girls Soccer
18.4
21.5
6.1
2.3
12.2
29.6
Boys Lacrosse
n/a
3.4
n/a
-17.7
-15
2
Girls Lacrosse
n/a
3
n/a
-15.1
-3.4
10.4
Southern Wake Athletic Conference: Apex Cougars, Apex Friendship Patriots, Fuquay-Varina Bengals, Garner Trojans, Holly Springs Golden Hawks and Middle Creek Mustangs.
South Wake Athletic 4A
APX
AFR
FUQ
GAR
HLY
MID
Football
-9
-20.1
17.9
42.6
21.6
53.6
Boys Soccer
11.4
4.8
10.7
3.9
9.4
18.4
Volleyball
19.2
5.3
10.3
-1.8
10.2
11.7
Boys Basketball
16.1
-8.4
0.5
24.2
-2.8
10.5
Girls Basketball
20
1.1
5
-1.6
19.3
-2
Baseball
10.6
1.3
19.6
10.4
22.1
18.6
Softball
13.1
-3.6
5
17.1
13.6
1.5
Girls Soccer
14.2
3.2
18
8.6
20.1
24.9
Boys Lacrosse
20.2
2.9
-4.4
-6.8
12.7
33.7
Girls Lacrosse
21.7
4
n/a
n/a
-2.7
15.1
Triangle 6 Conference: Athens Drive Jaguars, Cary Imps, Green Hope Falcons, Jordan Falcons, Panther Creek Catamounts, Riverside Pirates.
Triangle 6 4A
ADR
CRY
GHO
JOR
PAN
RIV
Football
3.9
-16.5
12
-3.2
8.9
3.5
Boys Soccer
6.6
16.8
33.9
14
20.1
7.8
Volleyball
0.2
-0.8
31.1
6.1
24.4
5.2
Boys Basketball
10.7
15.6
20.7
78
10.6
11.2
Girls Basketball
12.4
14.1
25.9
14.7
14.6
9.8
Baseball
6.1
9.2
13.5
17.3
9.4
5.9
Softball
-10.9
-8.7
4.4
-15.8
10.6
-22.2
Girls Soccer
11.6
6.4
32
7.5
20.8
2.2
Boys Lacrosse
10.6
1.5
19.2
12.2
8.7
n/a
Girls Lacrosse
-3.8
-8.3
6.7
-1.6
10.4
-9.5
Eastern Carolina 3A/4A Conference: New Bern Bears, South Central Falcons, C.B. Aycock Golden Falcons, D.H. Conley Vikings, Eastern Wayne Warriors, J.H. Rose Rampants, Southern Wayne Saints.
Eastern Carolina 3A/4A
NBN
SCL
CBA
DHC
EWY
JHR
SWY
Football
15.6
6.2
0.3
19.8
-10
19.9
-17.8
Boys Soccer
11
-8.5
4.8
10.8
-6.7
-0.2
-2.2
Volleyball
23.4
6.4
12.4
28.2
8.1
22
-11.1
Boys Basketball
-1.2
23.3
-5.8
12.6
4
6
-3.8
Girls Basketball
-0.7
9.6
-0.8
4.2
6.2
8.2
-3.8
Baseball
11.6
18.6
18.2
15.2
-0.7
24
6.5
Softball
-3.6
21.7
21.5
20.4
-10.7
-13.3
0.9
Girls Soccer
11.4
-6.3
-1.1
11.8
6.7
14.8
-9.5
Boys Lacrosse
3.5
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
-6.4
n/a
Girls Lacrosse
0.4
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
-10.9
n/a
Big Eight Conference: Cedar Ridge Red Wolves, Chapel Hill Tigers, East Chapel Hill Wildcats, Hillside Hornets, Northern Durham Knights, Northwood Chargers, Orange Panthers, Southern Durham Spartans.
Big Eight 3A
CED
CHL
ECH
HIL
NDR
NWD
ORA
SDR
Football
0.8
-20.9
-26.6
26.9
10.2
6.6
28.8
16.8
Boys Soccer
6.6
22.7
17.8
-8.1
0.1
6.3
1.4
1.3
Volleyball
5.7
23.1
14.3
-5.7
3.5
6.1
7.6
-11.1
Boys Basketball
-2.4
9.4
19
16.4
15.6
-2.8
17.9
18.4
Girls Basketball
2.8
-7.5
0.7
25
-7.1
10
18.5
5.1
Baseball
11.4
11.7
11.2
-0.5
2.8
18
9.2
-10.6
Softball
1.8
-4
9.3
-12.7
4
13.8
27.2
-5.4
Girls Soccer
4.3
17.8
13.6
-10.8
10
9.8
4.9
-6.6
Boys Lacrosse
9.2
6.4
6.3
n/a
-6.6
0.6
3
-22.2
Girls Lacrosse
n/a
17.7
12.9
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Big East 3A Conference: Fike Golden Demons, Franklinton Red Rams, Hunt Warriors, Northern Nash Knights, Rocky Mount Gryphons, Southern Nash Firebirds.
Big East 3A
FIK
FRA
HNT
NNA
RMT
SNA
Football
9.2
-2.3
4.3
13.9
42.7
35.9
Boys Soccer
7.3
0
16.8
-7.8
-1.6
2.9
Volleyball
1
10.7
7.4
-6.8
-1.5
-16.3
Boys Basketball
8.6
12.3
-1.6
16.7
4.1
-5.3
Girls Basketball
9.5
-5.8
9.6
-2.7
20.9
-10.7
Baseball
8.6
-5.8
14.3
-0.9
14.7
7.6
Softball
0.7
4.4
7.9
-4.9
-15.4
1.3
Girls Soccer
9.6
-1
7.8
-4.2
14.2
-9.6
Greater Neuse River Conference: Clayton Comets, Cleveland Rams, East Wake Warriors, Smithfield-Selma Spartans, South Johnston Trojans, West Johnston Wildcats.
Greater Neuse River 3A
CLA
CLE
EWK
SSS
SJO
WJO
Football
10.5
15.9
-9.3
-23.5
9.4
35.6
Boys Soccer
-0.4
4.9
10.8
-0.7
-4
6.6
Volleyball
14.2
12.5
-5.6
-11.4
-6.6
11.8
Boys Basketball
4.4
-7.8
-4.6
-4
1.8
-10.2
Girls Basketball
7.4
0.5
13.1
-14.4
-15.7
-6.6
Baseball
4.6
0.5
5.5
-6.8
10.8
3.9
Softball
-5.9
14.6
2.1
-9.3
11.5
11.1
Girls Soccer
13.9
3.8
-3.2
-3.2
-11.9
13.6
Tri-County 6 Conference: Harnett Central Trojans, Lee County Yellow Jackets, Southern Lee Cavaliers, Triton Hawks, Union Pines Vikings, Western Harnett Eagles.
Tri-County 6 3A
HCL
LEE
SLE
TRI
UPI
WHA
Football
-7.7
33.3
24.4
13.6
5.8
-16.1
Boys Soccer
-9.4
17.9
16.2
-7.9
2.8
-14.3
Volleyball
7.4
2.9
-11.7
18
10.9
0.4
Boys Basketball
3.4
1.9
7.1
6.5
-8.9
-3.2
Girls Basketball
2.1
-6.8
-14
-1.7
12.2
-15.9
Baseball
-0.7
11.1
13.6
6.4
9.1
1.2
Softball
3.8
19.9
-2.5
8.8
8.7
-1
Girls Soccer
-1.6
-4.6
6.7
-12.9
2
-12.1
Eastern Carolina 2A Conference: Ayden-Grifton Chargers, Greene Central Rams, Kinston Vikings, North Lenoir Hawks, South Lenoir Blue Devils, Washington Pam Pack, West Craven Eagles.
Eastern Carolina 2A
AGR
GRE
KIN
NLN
SLN
WSH
WCR
Football
10.5
2.1
1.9
-4.8
-15
-2.7
40
Boys Soccer
-19.9
-8.9
-27.2
-11.3
-12.1
12
-11.7
Volleyball
7.2
-7.8
-19.2
-2.3
9
-5
-5
Boys Basketball
8.3
22.4
14.8
3.4
3.1
-6.7
6.6
Girls Basketball
-7.5
-9.2
6.6
-7.6
8.4
4.3
-9.7
Baseball
4.3
-0.2
-17.1
12.3
1.3
9.4
13.1
Softball
-6.1
10.9
-17.3
3.1
10.4
13.3
-13.8
Girls Soccer
n/a
-22.1
-8.9
-13.7
-9.4
3.3
-11.3
Eastern Plains Conference: Beddingfield Bruins, Farmville Central Jaguars, Nash Central Bulldogs, North Johnston Panthers, North Pitt Panthers, SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars.
Eastern Plains 2A
BED
FAR
NCL
NJO
NPI
SWE
Football
6.7
-3
18.3
-1
-16.8
1.2
Boys Soccer
-6.6
-6.8
-7.8
9
2.6
-18.6
Volleyball
-13.7
11.8
-17.2
-4
5.6
-14.2
Boys Basketball
4.5
8.6
10.6
-1.7
8.6
-0.7
Girls Basketball
-3.4
14.6
14.8
9.9
16.9
17.2
Baseball
-3.7
-4.2
7
14.8
1.7
-8.8
Softball
12.2
-3.4
-11.9
17.9
-17.3
-0.9
Girls Soccer
-12.8
-29
1.5
-7.7
-10.8
-14.2
Northern Carolina 1A/2A Conference: Bunn Wildcats, J.F. Webb Warriors, Northern Vance Vikings, Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets, South Granville Vikings, Southern Vance Raiders, Warren County Eagles; Granville Central Panthers, Louisburg Warriors.
Northern Carolina 1A/2A
BNN
JFW
NVA
RRP
SGR
SVA
WAR
GCL
LOU
Football
23.3
-20.3
-8.8
13.8
11.8
-29
-7.4
-11.8
-16.7
Boys Soccer
12
-2.9
-11.7
4.7
-8.1
-1.8
-19.1
2.8
0.6
Volleyball
7.7
9.3
3
-7.2
16.9
-11.9
-16.2
0
17
Boys Basketball
-10
-6
4.6
10.5
12.2
2.5
8.7
-10.1
-1.6
Girls Basketball
-17.6
-0.4
-14.5
9.2
2.4
-8.5
5.8
-10.8
-6.1
Baseball
9.1
3.3
4.2
13.7
16.8
-9.1
-3.1
-2.6
-1.6
Softball
16.6
18.1
-13.4
4.2
25.2
-0.7
0.9
0.5
13.1
Girls Soccer
-4.4
-12.5
-13.6
-7.6
4.2
-9.8
n/a
-6
-21.8
Boys Lacrosse
n/a
-13.9
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Carolina 1A Conference: Hobbton Wildcats, Lakewood Leopards, Neuse Charter Cougars, North Duplin Rebels, Princeton Bulldogs, Rosewood Eagles, Union Spartans.
Carolina 1A
HOB
NDU
LKW
NCS
PRI
RWD
UNN
Football
-33.9
-10.3
-8.4
n/a
-6.2
-22.4
11.9
Boys Soccer
8.2
-4.6
4.4
-16.4
n/a
-1.2
-10.1
Volleyball
-3.5
-12.9
6.2
-11.7
4.2
-1.9
-17.7
Boys Basketball
-13.1
-14
-5.5
-18.4
-9
-11.7
-14.4
Girls Basketball
-13.1
-21.5
-15
0.9
4.7
-1.8
-14
Baseball
-13.8
-5.1
0.7
-13.2
-3.8
13.2
-7.5
Softball
0.7
11
-8.2
n/a
13
0.5
-22
Girls Soccer
-12.6
-15.8
-18.6
-5.6
-2.4
-3.9
-21.7
Central Tar Heel Conference: Chatham Central Bears, Chatham Charter Knights, Raleigh Charter Phoenix, Research Triangle Raptors, River Mill Academy Jaguars, Woods Charter Wolves.
Central Tar Heel 1A
CCL
CCH
RCH
RTR
RVM
WDC
Football
-35.7
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Boys Soccer
n/a
-12.1
8.9
-3.5
-20.2
3.1
Volleyball
-4.2
-11.6
-5.1
-17.2
-15.5
-16.8
Boys Basketball
-15.3
-7.7
-1.4
-6.7
4.2
-10.1
Girls Basketball
5.9
-9.2
0.7
-20.8
-2.6
-14.7
Baseball
-7.7
3.3
n/a
n/a
-8.1
n/a
Softball
16.6
-14
n/a
n/a
-13
n/a
Girls Soccer
-17.1
-12.6
13.7
-3.5
n/a
17.8
North Central Athletic Conference: East Wake Academy Eagles, Falls Lake Academy Firebirds, Franklin Academy Patriots, Oxford Prep Griffins, Roxboro Community Bulldogs, Vance Charter Knights, Voyager Academy Vikings.
 "Eastern Carolina (2)")
