By Thomas Grant Jr.
The word “reunited” comes to mind when looking at the finalized region classifications for the South Carolina High School League.
At least for the next two years, the realignment puts town rivals Dutch Fork and Irmo and Airport and Brookland-Cayce back together in the same region.
The Silver Foxes and Yellow Jackets will compete in Region 4 with Lexington County teams Chapin, Lexington, River Bluff and White Knoll. Dutch Fork and Irmo last played a region game against each other during the 2011-12 school year.
In Region 5-5A, Northeast teams Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley and Westwood will be joined by Sumter, Lugoff-Elgin and West Florence.
Airport and Brookland-Cayce will compete in Region 4-4A with Gilbert, Midland Valley, North Augusta, and South Aiken. Class 4A newcomer Gray Collegiate was also included in the region where it’s expected they will not have to concern itself with forfeits as it did the past two seasons in Region 4-2A.
In Class 3A, Newberry, W.J. Keenan and Silver Bluff move up to join Swansea and Fox Creek in Region 4.
Mid-Carolina moves over to Region 3 in Class 2A. Region 2 has a newcomer American Leadership Academy with Batesburg-Leesville, Pelion, Saluda, Strom Thurmond and Ninety-Six.
S.C. High School League Region Breakdowns for 2024-26
(Class 5A)
Region 4: Chapin, Dutch Fork, Irmo, Lexington, River Bluff, White Knoll
Region 5: Blythewood, Lugoff-Elgin, Ridge View, Spring Valley, Sumter, Westwood, West Florence
(Class 4A)
Region 4: Aiken, Airport, Brookland-Cayce, Gilbert, Gray Collegiate, Midland Valley, North Augusta, South Aiken
(Class 3A)
Region 4: Fox Creek, W.J. Keenan, Newberry, Silver Bluff, Swansea
(Class 2A)
Region 2: American Leadership, Batesburg-Leesville, Ninety-Six, Pelion, Saluda, Strom Thurmond
