J. Mike Blake Coverage

Blake: How to embrace the NCHSAA's new final four format
As one school community after another makes this trip all week long, the spectacle could be something to behold.

The rebound of the year: South Central's Madison Fleming returns to court less than a year after cancer diagnosis
When Fleming got the word on that fateful day, she was resigned that this was when the ball stopped bouncing for her. But instead, somehow, Fleming isn't just practicing and dressing out for the Falcons -- she's been able to get on the court in eight games.

Blake: Rating the best and worst arguments for and against a shot clock in NC high school basketball
If there's one thing we can all agree on when it comes to the high school shot clock -- this is not some rule you can adopt one year and reverse a few years later if it's unpopular. There is no coming back once it starts, and it's that permanence that requires a detailed look at the pros and cons.

Blake: Time to change who hosts dual-team wrestling regional finals -- it's easier than you think
It's important to note that the notion of seeded playoffs in wrestling is quite new. The first time that the wrestling playoffs weren't predetermined brackets was 2017. It wasn't until last year when the NCHSAA started using RankWrestlers

Blake: A basketball title rematch ended on a 'rainout' -- is it worth a rule change?
As the year went along it became more complicated and made less sense for both sides to play the last 19 minutes. If it were Richmond that were leading, then not returning to make up the game would've resulted in a forfeit to Myers Park. Because Myers Park was leading, it resulted in a 27-21 win.

Blake: If eight classes are on the way, here's how to make them work
Read J. Mike Blake's thoughts on how to divide classes, what conferences would look like, what playoffs would look like, and what other changes eight classifications could trigger.

Blake: The East/West line needs to stay in NCHSAA realignment - and here's how
Not only should we keep East and West, we should keep the way we're doing it now -- split schools into East/West, then sort by ADM.

Blake: Why conferences should be kept in the upcoming NCHSAA realignment model
One of things bandied about the upcoming realignment, which will go to at least seven classifications, is getting rid of conferences. That would be a mistake, says HSOT's J. Mike Blake.

Blake: At Pisgah, 'Mill Town' healing starts with emotional return of team and sound of Canton history
The school is forever linked to its proud past with the addition of the old Canton mill whistle at the top of the scoreboard.

Blake: After unusual start, a normal finish is an accomplishment for the last true "COVID class" of high school
This year's senior class of 2024 is the the last one whose high school journey got off to COVID-impacted start.

Blake: How to use Caitlynn Guarino's story to avoid another eligibility crisis
What makes explaining Guarino's situation so complicated is that Richlands had an A/B component if you took certain classes, which makes sense for AP courses when the tests are administered in May.

'You've just got to battle back': After near-fatal accident, Southern Lee baseball team follows coach's resilience
Southern Lee baseball coach Tommy Harrington had a near-death experience in December. His team has also had unfortunate events where they have needed to model his method of fighting back.

Blake: The faith that fuels the true greatness of South Brunswick's Walker Jenkins
Walker Jenkins, a senior center fielder for South Brunswick and projected top-five pick in July's MLB Draft, has been the main draw for young fans wanting an autograph.

Round Table: Nick Stevens and J. Mike Blake break down NCHSAA realignment news
HighSchoolOT's Nick Stevens and J. Mike Blake break down the breaking news out of the NCHSAA as the latest amendment involving realignment and expanded classes starting in 2025-26 has received enough votes from membership to pass.

Blake: Now that's 'nontraditional' -- the irony of SB 636
Yes, Republican leaders are strong proponents of school choice. But many of them also represent some of the most rural parts of the state. All those years of walking on eggshells were apparently in vain.

Blake: Why 'ADM only' ruins new classification proposal
Since we don't need to rush through a flawed proposal -- it wouldn't go into effect until two years from now anyway -- it should be voted down.

Blake: The biggest mismatch on Saturday? Fans versus facilities
Coaches and fans deserve not only an answer from the NCHSAA for why regionals were moved to high school gyms, and perhaps an apology, but they also need to know if this is the way of the future or not.

Blake: What's the rush? Stopping the whirlwind that is early-round playoff basketball
Our current format needlessly hurries along the NCHSAA high school basketball playoffs -- 60 teams in each class were eliminated in eight days. A few tweaks to the opening rounds could create more build-up and excitement.

Blake: Three steps to balancing the NCHSAA brackets and cutting down on conference rematches
There are three quick solutions that will mitigate the most credible of complaints against the current system. We can handle split conferences, 1-seeds, and conference rematches differently.