NIAA’s realignment proposal would alter 1A, 2A landscape

Among Southern Nevada high schools, Class 1A and 2A would be most affected by the realignment proposed for the next school year by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association on Tuesday.

The 1A and 2A Southern regions would be combined for regular-season play and separated into two geographically-based leagues.

The realignment plan aims to reduce travel, decreasing travel expenses and missed class time by students and teachers.

“It’s money, it’s geography, it’s keeping the kids in school,” said Lake Mead athletic director Jeff Newton, who served on the realignment committee. “Those are the biggest factors you’ve got to take into consideration.”

Current Class 2A Southern League members Agassi Prep, Calvary Chapel, Lincoln County and The Meadows would be in League A along with current 1A Southern League schools Henderson International, Pahranagat Valley, Sandy Valley and Spring Mountain.

League B would comprise current 2A league members Needles (Calif.) and Mountain View along with 1A schools Beatty, Indian Springs, Lake Mead and Trinity. Current independents Adelson School and Laughlin also would play in League B.

The league alignments would have the most affect on the regular season, as schools would retain the 1A and 2A enrollment-based alignments for the postseason.

According to the NIAA, the 14 Southern 1A and 2A schools that are current members of a league would combine to save 6,808 miles in travel for league contests per sports season.

“That’s just a huge savings right there in buses alone,” Newton said. “And instead of taking kids out of class (to make a long trip), they’re staying in class. Now we don’t have to call a substitute teacher for the coach who has to leave early, and now the education is enhanced.”

Because Class 1A schools play eight-man football, the leagues would not be combined for that sport.

Current 1A Southern League members Lund, Round Mountain and Tonopah would shift to the 1A Northern Region. Current 2A Southern League member White Pine would move into Northern Nevada’s Ruby Mountain League for all sports except football. West Wendover would move to the Ruby Mountain League in all sports.

As expected, the proposal also called for current 3A Southern League schools Boulder City, Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley to move into the 4A Northeast League. Those three schools would then participate in the 3A postseason.

NIAA assistant director Donnie Nelson said the proposal would first be considered by the state’s superintendents in a meeting next month. It would then be voted on by the NIAA Board of Control at its March meeting, either in Winnemucca or Reno.

If the proposal passes, it would go into effect this fall. If not, the current alignment would remain in place through the 2011-2012 school year.