GHSA approves new regions; changes cemented for area schools
Posted 2:39PM on Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Buford and White County will battle each other in Region 8-AAAA for the next two school years. / photo: Brian Oliver
AREA REGIONS APPROVED BY THE GHSA FOR 2014-15, 2015-16
REGION 6-AAAAAA
Alpharetta
Centennial
Chattahoochee
Habersham Central
Johns Creek
Lambert
Northview
North Forsyth
South Forsyth
West Forsyth
REGION 7-AAAAAA
Collins Hill
Duluth
Meadowcreek
Mill Creek
Mountain View
Norcross
North Gwinnett
Peachtree Ridge
REGION 8-AAAAA
Apalachee
Cedar Shoals
Clarke Central
Flowery Branch
Gainesville
Heritage, Conyers
Lanier
Loganville
Salem
Winder-Barrow
REGION 8-AAAA
Buford
Chestatee
Johnson
Madison County
Monroe Area
North Hall
North Oconee
Stephens County
White County
REGION 7-AAA
Banks County
Dawson County
East Hall
Fannin County
Franklin County
Lumpkin County
West Hall
REGION 8-AAA
East Jackson
Elbert County
Hart County
Jackson County
Jefferson
Morgan County
Oconee County
REGION 8-AA
Greene County
Oglethorpe County
Rabun County
Riverside Military Academy
Social Circle
Union County
Washington-Wilkes
REGION 8-A
Athens Academy
Athens Christian
Commerce
George Walton Academy
Hebron Christian
Lakeview Academy
Prince Avenue Christian
Providence Christian
Rabun Gap Nacoochee School
Tallulah Falls
Towns County
Woody Gap
MACON -- Get ready for some tough competition in Region 8-AAAA. For the next two years, it may be one of the toughest leagues in the state.
After a lengthy session of the GHSA's Executive Committee on Tuesday in Macon, the new regions for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years were approved, including an 8-AAAA that includes Buford, Chestatee, Johnson, Madison County, Monroe Area, North Hall, North Oconee, Stephens County and White County.
There were some last-minute appeals heard -- and approved -- for Thomas County Central, Cook and Pike County, but the new classes and regions set for northeast Georgia's schools remained the same as those proposed by the GHSA's Reclassification Committee in December.
The changes for area athletic programs for the next two school years include:
-- Habersham Central will move from Region 7-AAAAAA to Region 6-AAAAAA, shifting from a Gwinnett County-based region to a Forsyth County/north Fulton County-based region.
-- Region 8-AAAAA added Lanier (the only change to the current set-up).
-- Region 7-AAA added Lumpkin County and Franklin County after losing Buford, North Hall and White County.
-- Region 8-AAA will consist of three schools in Jackson County (East Jackson, Jackson County and Jefferson).
-- Region 8-AA's only change is the loss of Jefferson.
-- Region 8-A's only change is the loss of Pincecrest Academy (moved to Region 6-A).