Mainly, it’s getting the kids already in the halls, and keeping them focused, eligible and out of trouble.
OC, I wrote a long response, but have since changed it to the bullets below. Still a little long, but not the book it was. Remember folks, this is my opinion and I am always welcoming to feedback.
1- THS has about 70-80 boys that play sports and maybe 50-60 girls. These kids generally have played 2-3 sports boy or girl in the the past. Things are changing and those numbers are dwindling for various reasons so roster size is at critical points for many teams. Some are down to playing 1-2 sports and the competition among coaching staffs to have these shared kids at different workout sessions is tighter than ever. A few key athletes have chosen to play one sport now.
2- There are kids in the hallways that could add good depth to all boys and girls programs. Some would likely start if they were to play. A half dozen or so kids in every sport would be huge for THS. Right now THS cannot field a JV team in most sports except boys soccer, boys basketball and maybe football (which has ended up on the brink of folding the last 4-5 years by the middle of the season). Some sports are struggling to field a varsity team and many of the non-revenue sports teams are playing varsity competition with 9/10 graders in the lineup.
- That is a bad formula for success in the current CCC with all those schools having JV, Varsity and some even have 9th grade teams in a few sports.
3- Covid 19 will have an impact not just at THS.
- A good percentage of students are 100% online now. Will the have transportation to and from school for practice/games being at home.
- Grades/attendance issues will impact eligibility in the spring. Unless the NCHSAA makes some changes now.
- Lots of seniors are graduating early to begin college, work fulltime, join the military or just get out due to covid.
- Students are babysitting siblings, working and doing other activities they may not be able to release from to play sports.
4- Now for the positive outlook and future of THS sports based on a possible realignment (assuming THS does go 1A).
- The new 1A league will be smaller than the CCC so THS can still play county teams and get some good gates in all sports. Having 5-6 conference games allows for some good flexibility of scheduling with East, West, Ledford, Lexington and others close by.
- Currently scheduling is a nightmare for non-conference and availability to find some more competitive games in the non-revenue sports such as baseball. tennis, softball, etc. Getting beat by run rule in those sports causes kids to quit playing and not come back out. Thus the roster issues continue.
- The current 9/10 grade class is loaded with good athletes and some very competitive rosters mostly young returning for 20-21 seasons. The 9th grade class is active and will increase the roster size of most teams. Overall those classes should enjoy a nice run in football, basketball, soccer and wrestling on the boys side. Girls BB and VB is getting better also.
- Winning at the 1A level can promote roster size, overall athletic morale and community support. The trophy cases will see some new hardware in several sports at the conference, regional and hopefully state level.
- Covid will eventually end and somewhat hopefully some type of "normalcy" may return, but that is yet to be determined as to what that looks like going forward.
That is my take on the current and possible future status of THS. Biggest thing is getting the parents to support the kids, the school, the coaches and the admin team in the effort to bridge the gap in attendance, academics and overall willingness to play more sports, be in the band, join clubs and do after school activities that are healthy for them and grow school pride. I heard one of the best male athletes say on a call with the BOE that sports was the "only" reason many of his friends came to school anyways. The parents, community and staff have got to find a way to make academics more important to that way of thinking before sports will once again rise to the forefront at THS.