Myrtle Beach, SC, January 23, 2026
The SCHSL has announced new region assignments impacting high school athletics in Myrtle Beach, SC. These changes aim to enhance competitive balance for the upcoming seasons, presenting both challenges and opportunities for local teams. With Carolina Forest High and Socastee High remaining in Class 5A and Waccamaw High transitioning to Class 2A, the local sports community is set to experience new rivalries and heightened enthusiasm as schools adapt to their new classifications.
Myrtle Beach, SC –
SCHSL Realignment Unveils New Paths for Local Teams
The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) has set the stage for the next two years of prep sports, releasing its comprehensive region assignments for the 2026-28 realignment cycle. These significant shifts promise fresh challenges and opportunities for high school athletes and programs across the state, including our own dedicated teams in Myrtle Beach SC high school sports. The changes emphasize fair competition and strategic regional groupings, reflecting the SCHSL’s commitment to fostering competitive balance and rewarding discipline and hard work on the field and court.
The spirit of high school athletics in South Carolina is deeply rooted in community pride and the development of young leaders. As schools adapt to their new classifications and regions, the focus remains on personal responsibility, teamwork, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. These realignments are more than just administrative adjustments; they are catalysts for growth, encouraging student-athletes to rise to new challenges and for communities to rally behind their teams with renewed enthusiasm. The entire South Carolina prep sports landscape will be watching how these changes unfold, eager to see new rivalries emerge and established programs continue their legacies.
Understanding the Realignment Process
The recent announcements from the South Carolina High School League, which detailed the new region assignments on Thursday, January 22, 2026, mark a crucial step in the state’s athletic planning. These assignments, along with the classification placements finalized on December 19, 2025, and updated on January 20, 2026, after an appeals process, will govern interscholastic competition for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. The primary goal of this biennial realignment is to create a more level competitive playing field among schools across the state.
The foundation of these decisions rests on several key criteria. Schools are assigned to classifications based on their 45-day enrollment numbers from grades 9-11. A significant factor in this calculation is the 3.0 multiplier, which counts students from outside a school’s designated attendance zone as three for enrollment purposes. Beyond raw numbers, the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee also considered geographical location and potential travel distances to ensure practical and manageable schedules for teams.
Myrtle Beach Area Schools Face New Horizons
For our local schools, these changes bring both continuity and fresh prospects. Carolina Forest High remains a formidable presence in the largest classification, listed as the third largest school in Class 5A with an enrollment of 2,635 students. This places them among the state’s athletic powerhouses, where every game is a testament to rigorous training and competitive spirit. Socastee High also maintains its position in Class 5A, ensuring that the high school athletic regions in our area continue to feature top-tier competition.
A notable adjustment for a local program is Waccamaw High School, which will transition from Class 3A to Class 2A for the upcoming cycle. With an enrollment of 698, Waccamaw is positioned as the ninth largest among the 41 schools in Class 2A. This move presents an exciting new chapter for the Warriors, offering them the chance to establish new rivalries and showcase their talents in a different competitive environment. Such shifts underscore the dynamic nature of South Carolina prep sports, where programs must consistently adapt and innovate to succeed.
Impact on Competition and Travel
The reclassification and region assignments are designed to foster strong competition. For Waccamaw High School, the move to Class 2A means facing a new set of opponents and challenges. While this brings opportunities for fresh matchups, it also means leaving behind some long-standing rivalries in Class 3A. Schools like Georgetown, Loris, Aynor, and Marlboro County, which were previously in Region V-AAA with Waccamaw, are slated to remain in Class 3A. This adjustment will require teams to build new connections and adapt their strategic approaches.
Another significant consideration arising from the realignment is travel. For Waccamaw High, concerns have been noted regarding potentially increased travel distances. The closest 2A school to Waccamaw is Timberland, located 56 miles away. Managing travel logistics efficiently will be key for athletic departments, ensuring student-athletes can maintain their academic commitments while pursuing their athletic passions. This aspect of the SCHSL realignment emphasizes the need for strong organizational skills and dedication from both school staff and student-athletes.
Community Engagement and Adaptation
High school sports are a cornerstone of community identity, and these region changes offer renewed opportunities for local engagement. The shifts will undoubtedly spark interest in new matchups and rekindle enthusiasm for established programs. Communities around Myrtle Beach SC high school sports will have the chance to deepen their support for their teams as they navigate these new competitive landscapes. This is where the true spirit of local sports shines, as families, local businesses, and fans come together to celebrate the hard work and determination of student-athletes.
Local sponsorships play a vital role in strengthening athletic programs, and the excitement generated by new regions and competitive scenarios can attract fresh support. Businesses have a unique opportunity to align with schools, investing in the character development and leadership training that high school sports provide. Increased fan engagement, driven by intriguing new rivalries and the pursuit of regional titles, will not only boost morale but also reinforce the strong community bonds that make high school athletics so special. Every game, every season, is a chance for our young people to learn invaluable life lessons about discipline, perseverance, and respectful competition.
The Appeal Process and Next Steps
The South Carolina High School League operates with a clear and transparent process for realignment, including opportunities for schools to appeal their placements. The initial classification placements were subject to appeals heard by the SCHSL Executive Committee on January 13-14, 2026, followed by the Appellate Panel on January 15-16, 2026. This rigorous process ensures that every school has a voice and that decisions are made with careful consideration of all factors. Some schools successfully appealed their original classification placement into a different classification during this process.
Now that the region placements have been finalized and sent to member schools by January 23, 2026, the next phase involves appeals specifically for these region assignments. The Classification Executive Committee will convene between February 3-5, 2026, to hear any region placement appeals. This continued dialogue and structured appeal process demonstrate the League’s commitment to fairness and integrity, ensuring that the athletic environment is as equitable as possible for all participating schools and their student-athletes.
Rallying for the Future of South Carolina Prep Sports
The new high school athletic regions announced by the SCHSL herald a fresh era for South Carolina prep sports, promising renewed competition and opportunities for growth. While changes always bring adjustments, they also ignite the competitive fire that drives our student-athletes to achieve their best. This is a moment for our Myrtle Beach SC high school sports communities to embrace the future, to redouble our support for our schools, and to continue fostering environments where young people can thrive through the lessons learned in sports—teamwork, resilience, and personal accountability.
We encourage everyone to mark their calendars for the upcoming seasons, attend local games, and celebrate the dedication of our student-athletes and coaching staff. Your presence at the sidelines, your cheers, and your support for school booster clubs and local sponsorships make a tangible difference. Follow HEREmyrtlebeach.com for ongoing coverage, in-depth features, and updates on how our local teams are navigating these exciting new challenges. Let’s continue to champion the values of sportsmanship and hard work that define our community’s athletic spirit!
Frequently Asked Questions about SCHSL Realignment
What is the purpose of the S.C. High School League (SCHSL) realignment?
The purpose of the S.C. High School League (SCHSL) realignment is to level the competitive playing field among schools across the state.
How often does the SCHSL realignment occur?
The realignment happens in the state every two years and the classification and region placements will be in effect for two years, starting with the 2026-27 school year.
What criteria are used for school assignments in the realignment?
Schools are assigned based on their 45-day enrollment numbers from grades 9-11, which include district additions and a 3.0 multiplier for students from outside a school’s attendance zone. Flexibility is also used, with consideration given to geographics and travel.
When were the classification and region assignments released for the 2026-28 cycle?
The classification placements were finalized and announced on December 19, 2025, and updated on January 20, 2026, after appeals. The region assignments were released on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and sent to member schools by January 23, 2026.
Can schools appeal their classification or region placements?
Yes, schools had an opportunity to appeal classification placements to the SCHSL Executive Committee (January 13-14, 2026) and then to the Appellate Panel (January 15-16, 2026). Appeals for region placements will be heard by the Classification Executive Committee between February 3-5, 2026.
Which Myrtle Beach area schools are in Class 5A for the 2026-28 cycle?
Carolina Forest High and Socastee High are listed in Class 5A for the 2026-28 cycle. Carolina Forest High is the third largest school in Class 5A with an enrollment of 2,635.
Which classification will Waccamaw High School be in?
Waccamaw High School will move down from Class 3A to Class 2A. Its enrollment of 698 makes it the ninth largest of the 41 schools in 2A.
Key Features of the 2026-28 SCHSL Realignment
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Realignment Cycle | 2026-2028 school years | State-level |
| Release Date (Region Assignments) | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | State-level |
| Basis for Assignment | 45-day enrollment (grades 9-11) + 3.0 multiplier for out-of-zone students | State-level |
| Flexibility Factors | Consideration of geographics and travel | State-level |
| Class 5A Structure | Returns to a single classification | State-level |
| Class A Size | Most schools (70 after appeals) | State-level |
| Classification Appeals | Executive Committee: January 13-14, 2026; Appellate Panel: January 15-16, 2026 | State-level |
| Region Assignment Appeals | Classification Executive Committee: February 3-5, 2026 | State-level |
| Local Impact (Carolina Forest High) | Class 5A; 3rd largest in class (enrollment 2,635) | Local (Myrtle Beach, SC) |
| Local Impact (Socastee High) | Class 5A | Local (Myrtle Beach, SC) |
| Local Impact (Waccamaw High) | Moved from Class 3A to Class 2A (enrollment 698) | Local (Myrtle Beach, SC) |
| Waccamaw Travel Concern | Closest 2A school (Timberland) is 56 miles away | Local (Myrtle Beach, SC) |
Now Happening on X
- @jwedrasc (January 22, 2026): The new Class 4A “Beach Region” includes Conway, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, South Florence, St. James, West Florence, and Wilson as a 7-team region. View on X
- @TheSunNews (January 22, 2026): First look at the SC High School League’s new athletic regions for 2026-28, with details on upcoming changes. View on X
- @BDunnsports (January 22, 2026): SCHSL releases 2026-2028 regions: Class 5A Region 6 includes Berkeley, Cane Bay, Carolina Forest, Goose Creek, Socastee, and Wando; Class 4A Region 7 covers Conway, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, South Florence, St. James, and West Florence. View on X
- @SCSportsNow (January 22, 2026): Following realignment and appeals, SCHSL reveals new regions for the next two academic years, impacting high school sports statewide. View on X
- @BDunnsports (January 22, 2026): Full SCHSL 2026-2028 regions announced, highlighting Class 5A and 4A groupings for local teams like Carolina Forest and Socastee. View on X
- @jwedrasc (January 22, 2026): New SCHSL regions bring significant shake-ups for Horry County schools, covered in the latest MyHorryNews update. View on X
- @LouatTheState (January 20, 2026): Class 5A Division II Girls basketball rankings place North Myrtle Beach at #1, followed by Goose Creek, Greenwood, and others. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
