NCHSAA News

Growing Is the Purpose: Keeping Education First in High School Sports

By Dr. Karissa Niehoff, Chief Executive Officer of the NFHS, and Que Tucker, Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) High school sports are experiencing record participation. It is also experiencing unprecedented pressure. Across the country, young athletes are training earlier, competing year-round, and navigating expectations shaped by a rapidly expanding youth sports economy. For many families, athletics…

ORTHOCAROLINA Performance of the Month – December 2025

The OrthoCarolina Performance of the Month Awards for December in NCHSAA competition go to Dionte Neal from Reidsville and Oshauna Holland from Stuart Cramer. Dionte Neal had a spectacular month on both the gridiron and the hardwood. In football, he helped lead Reidsville to a 4A state championship title and won the Morgan and Morgan…

2024-25 National Coaches of the Year Selected by NFHS Coaches Association

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 20, 2026) — Twenty-four high school coaches from across the country have been selected as 2024-25 National Coaches of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. The NFHS, which has been recognizing coaches through an awards program since 1982, honors coaches in the top 10 girls sports and top 10 boys sports…

Remembering Coach Jimmy Warfford

James “Jimmy” Franklin Warfford, passed away on January 15, 2026. Coach Warfford was a beloved coach, mentor, and staple in the Siler City community who dedicated over 30 years to Jordan-Matthews High School as a baseball coach, athletic director, and multi-sport coach. His influence was so significant that the baseball field now bears his name,…

2025-2026 NFHS School Honor Roll Program

The NFHS School Honor Roll Program recognizes schools whose coaches have completed professional development through NFHS Learning Center coursework. This national distinction honors a school and its coaches’ dedication and commitment to students and education-based programs. Schools that apply and meet the requirements will earn a banner to hang in their school, highlighting this national achievement….

James B. “Jim” Maxwell, 84 — Beloved Attorney, Legendary High School Swim Coach & NCHSAA Hall of Famer, Dies

James B. “Jim” Maxwell, 84, passed away on January 4, 2026, surrounded by family. A respected attorney and founder of a Durham law firm, Jim also devoted nearly 30 years to building the Jordan High School swim program into a perennial champion. In addition to serving as NCHSAA General Council, he served a term on…

2025-2026 Cheerleading Invitational

CONCORD – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association hosted its 23rd Annual Cheerleading Invitational at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord on Friday. The event, originally scheduled for December 6, 2025, at the Raleigh Convention Center, was unexpectedly relocated after a fire at the venue. Tar Heel Trophy | Weddington Warriors Weddington…

North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026

RALEIGH, N.C.—The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2026 induction class. The new members, listed alphabetically, are Chip Beck, Heather Bergsma, Louis Breeden, Leonard Hamilton, Tyler Hansbrough, Richard Huntley, John Isner, Norvell Lee, Eddie Pope, Kelvin Sampson, and Jerry Winterton. The group of 11 will be enshrined during the 62nd annual…

OrthoCarolina Performance of the Month – November 2025

The OrthoCarolina Performance of the Month Awards for November in the NCHSAA competition go to Eamon Hipps from Western Alamance and Riley Johnson from Parkwood. Riley Johnson from Parkwood went 12-0 in November, including taking first place in both the Roughedge Rumble at 152 and the Lady Knight Invitational at 145. Nine of her wins…

2025-2026 Wells Fargo State Cup – Fall Standings

CHAPEL HILL—The 2025-2026 NCHSAA Wells Fargo State Cup fall standings – the first data among eight classifications – are available after last week’s fall sports season conclusion. The 1A classification’s highest scoring quintet spans from the westernmost mountains (Robbinsville) to the Inner Banks (Northside-Pinetown). Robbinsville and Northside-Pinetown shared the men’s cross country state meet stage…