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Heartland Schools In New Districts

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The Florida High School Athletic Association released its official district realignment for some high school sports.

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BY MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: March 6, 2009

SEBRING - Local high schools will see plenty of new faces in the fall after the Florida High School Athletic Association released its official district realignment for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball.

The new districts will begin play in the fall of 2009 and Sebring has been moved up to compete in Class 5A-District 5 against Evans (Orlando), Haines City, Lake Wales, Liberty (Kissimmee), Osceola (Kissimmee), Ridge Community (Davenport) and Winter Haven.

"We're happy to be where we're at," Sebring athletic director Terry Quarles said on Friday. "Originally, the FHSAA had us in a district with nine teams in the Tampa area and the travel costs would have been ridiculous.

"The FHSAA granted our request to be moved and playing Polk County schools will cut down on our costs and should make for some good rivalries."

The changes reflect the problems school's face with the downturn in the economy and the budget deficit most counties are dealing with.

Along with the new districts, the FHSAA is considering a proposal to reduce the number of athletic contests each team can play.

"We felt like we had to make the request to be switched," said Quarles. "We've been looking at possibly reducing our schedules for next year on our own.

"If the FHSAA decides to reduce schedules, everybody will have to abide by that decision, and it's just another sign of how bad the economy is."

Avon Park and Lake Placid have been moved to Class 3A-District 9 and will compete against Fort Meade, Frostproof, McKeel Academy (Lakeland), Mulberry and Tenoroc (Lakeland).

"We're pretty happy with where we're at," said Avon Park athletic director Mort Jackson. "The proximity to the Polk County teams is great and we feel like we can compete with most of the schools in our district.

"I have mixed feelings on cutting back on the schedules, but if that's what the FHSAA decides, then that's what we'll have to do."

For Lake Placid, the travel to away games is a concern.

"Traveling to Polk County is not cheap," said Green Dragon athletic director Cindy Rivers. "Lakeland and Fort Meade aren't close for us and another problem is Polk County doesn't let their JV programs play out of county games.

"That's a concern with schedules possibly being reduced, but at least the private schools will have to follow the same rules we do. We're going to a much larger district and I hope we can keep our local rivalries going.

"There's not a whole lot we can do because the economy is what it is, but it's a sign of the times and we'll take it as it comes."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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