Friday March 29th, 2024 9:34AM

GHSA Reclass: Branch, Jefferson, WHall, EJax appeal to move down

By Bo Wilson Sports Editor

Let the games begin at the Georgia High School Association home office in Thomaston on Wednesday. 

More than 40 schools have submitted appeals to either move up or down in classification in the latest edition of the GHSA Reclassification Cycle. 

The GHSA Reclassification Committee will hear all of them beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

In late October, the GHSA released new classifications for all seven of its divisions, and several area schools found themselves in new classes. 

Buford moved up from 6A to 7A. Gainesville moved down from 7A to 6A. Jefferson and Flowery Branch shifted from 4A to 5A.

Cherokee Bluff, North Hall and West Hall were elevated from 3A to 4A. 

During each cycle, the GHSA allows schools to submit appeals. Those schools are assigned a time tomorrow to lay out the best case possible to change the committee's minds. 

So, here's what to expect at Wednesday's appeal hearings from area schools: 

-- Jackson County (10:50 a.m.) has submitted a request to move up from Class 5A to Class 6A. 

-- Jefferson (3:50 p.m.) and Flowery Branch (4 p.m.) are asking to be moved back down to Class 4A. 

-- West Hall (4:30 p.m.) wants to stay in Class 3A, and East Jackson (6 p.m.) is appealing to move down to Class 2A. East Jackson is the smallest school in Class 3A. 

New region alignments are expected on Thursday. 

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