By Thomas Grant Jr.
The upcoming region brackets for the 2026–28 S.C. High School League seasons have drawn a range of reactions across the state.
For Brookland-Cayce, the realignment could not have worked out better.
After successfully appealing to move down from Class 4A to Class 3A, the Bearcats landed in a geographically favorable region that reunites them with familiar opponents. Brookland-Cayce will compete in Region 4-3A alongside Lexington County rivals Airport, Gilbert and Swansea. Lower Richland and Camden complete the region.
“Brookland-Cayce High School had a unique situation in our appeal to move into a position to be in the same region with Airport and other Lexington County schools,” athletics director Louis Clyburn said. “It seems to make the most sense and benefit our student-athletes and community. We are excited about the next two years with this realignment.”
While Brookland-Cayce and Airport appear settled in Class 3A, uncertainty remains for Gray Collegiate Academy.
The West Columbia school had appeals denied by both the Executive Committee and the Appellate Panel to move down from Class 4A. As a result, Gray Collegiate will again move up in classification and is slated to compete in Class 5A, Region 4 alongside Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley and Sumter.
Both principal Brian Newsome and athletics director Kevin Heise have previously cited safety concerns. Gray Collegiate’s actual student population is 610, which would place it in Class 2A if not for the South Carolina High School League’s 3x multiplier rule. Newsome declined comment on the latest region alignment.
(Photo by GoFlashwin.com)
