AHSAA realignment: What Hillcrest to 7A, other changes mean for Tuscaloosa area teams
The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board approved school realignments for spring sports in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years on Thursday, and there are some big changes for some Tuscaloosa area teams.
Here is a look at which Tuscaloosa area teams fared with the realignment across the spring sports:
Tuscaloosa area high school baseball realignment
It has been known for some time that Hillcrest would make the jump from 6A to 7A. But it was revealed Tuesday that the reigning 6A state champions will be in 7A, Area 5 with the likes of Prattville, Thompson and in-county rival Tuscaloosa County. Taking Hillcrest's place in 6A, Area 6 is Brookwood, which is now in the area with Central, Northridge and Paul W. Bryant.
American Christian Academy, the 4A runners-up at this year's state tournament, sees itself move into 5A due to competitive balance factor. It will join 5A, Area 9 with Northside, Sipsey Valley and Wenonah. Northside and Sipsey Valley will both be making the jump from 4A to 5A. The Rams made it to the second round of 4A playoffs, while Sipsey Valley did not make it to the postseason.
In Class 4A, Bibb County will move into 4A, Area 6 with Holt and West Blocton, a completely new area for all three teams. Fayette County will make the move from 3A into 4A, Area 10 with Curry, Haleyville and Hamilton.
Gordo and Winfield moved from 3A, Area 9 to 3A, Area 10 with Carbon Hill and Oakman. As for 1A-2A, there were not many changes, aside from Pickens County moving into the AHSAA from the AISA, where it will compete in 1A, Area 9 with Holy Spirit, Pickens County and South Lamar.
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Tuscaloosa area high school softball realignment
Similar to baseball, Hillcrest softball moved into 7A, Area 5 with Prattville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County. Brookwood softball moved from 6A, Area 8 into Area 6 with Central, Northridge and Paul W. Bryant. Demopolis moved from 5A, Area 6 to Area 7 with Jemison, Montevallo, Selma.
The American Christian Academy girls remain in 4A, Area 6 with Bibb County, Holt and West Blocton. In 3A, Hale County moved from 4A to 3A, Area 7 with Greensboro and Sumter Central, while Gordo and Winfield saw themselves move into 3A, Area 10 with Carbon Hill and Oakman. Gordo and Winfield were not previously in the same areas.
In Class 2A, Sulligent sees itself into a completely new area, moving into Area 11 with Red Bay and Belgreen. Aliceville, Lamar County and Tuscaloosa Academy remain together in 2A, Area 9. In its first year in the AHSAA, the Pickens Academy softball will compete in 1A, Area 9 with Holy Spirit Catholic, Pickens County and South Lamar. Holy Spirit is moving down a classification from 2A.
Tuscaloosa area high school soccer realignment
In its first season competing in 7A, Hillcrest joins Prattville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County in 7A, Area 5. Brookwood, Central, Northridge and Paul W. Bryant will make up 6A, Area 6. Northside moves to 5A, Area 8 and Demopolis 5A, Area 5.
American Christian Academy and Holt are in 4A, Area 4 with Fultondale and Westminister, Oak Mountain. Tuscaloosa Academy remains in 1A-3A, Area 4.
Tuscaloosa area high school soccer realignment
Hillcrest tennis sees itself move into 7A, Section 3 with Hewitt-Trussville, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County and Vestavia Hills. Northridge remains in 6A, Section 4 with Central, Hueytown, McAdory, Paul W. Bryant and P.D. Jackson Olin.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: AHSAA realignment: What the changes mean for Tuscaloosa area teams
