HighSchoolOT enters its third year of making both final rankings and all-state teams for each sport sponsored by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, a one-of-a-kind feat for a statewide media outlet.
In the 2021–22 year, 276 different schools finished the year in a HighSchoolOT ranking, while 368 different schools were represented on all-state teams.
Sports that determine their state champions at a state meet have a top 25 ranking in the entire country. All others, like those determined by a 64-team bracket, have top 25 rankings for the eastern half of the state (east/west lines follow the NCHSAA’s county division, which groups Caswell, Alamance, Chatham, Moore and Richmond in the east, while Rockingham , Guilford, Randolph, Montgomery and Anson are in the West) and one for the western half of the state.
If you missed the preseason football rankings, here are links to the East preseason top 25, where Cardinal Gibbons is first, and the West preseason top 25, where Chambers is at the top to start the year.
Below you will find our preseason standings in cross country, girls golf, girls tennis (East/West), boys soccer (East/West) and volleyball (East/West).
All No. 1 teams on our final rankings will be honored at the end of the 2022-23 track and field season at the HSOT Honors.
To see where the teams stood in our final rankings for the 2021 season, click here.
Cuthbertson will start the year first, no surprise given the Cavaliers’ recent dominance in the sport. HighSchoolOT publishes a final ranking at the end of the season.
Weddington is our preseason No.1 despite a strong case to be made for Christ School. Last year’s No. 1, Mount Tabor, is fourth. HighSchoolOT publishes a final ranking at the end of the season.
Until someone knocks them off, Reagan is our preseason No. 1 again. However, Cardinal Gibbons and Ardrey Kell and not far behind. HighSchoolOT publishes a final ranking at the end of the season.
East Chapel Hill’s 4A runner-up finish gave the Wildcats the top seed last year after a 21-1 campaign, and that’s where they start again this year in a top-heavy East. HighSchoolOT will also publish a midseason ranking and a final ranking.
Marvin Ridge rolled through 4A last year and returns nearly its entire lineup from an undefeated season. HighSchoolOT will also publish a midseason ranking and a final ranking.
New Hanover finished last year as the top team in the East for the second straight season, but Cardinal Gibbons starts this season in first place after a 4A East runner-up finish last year. HighSchoolOT will publish weekly rankings until the playoffs begin, then save the final rankings for after the state championships.
Shelby finished in first place last season, but Providence is taking over as a new season begins. HighSchoolOT will publish weekly rankings until the playoffs begin, then save the final rankings for after the state championships.
Green Level starts this year with the 4A champs left, but not far behind is reigning 3A champion Cedar Ridge. HighSchoolOT will publish weekly rankings until the playoffs begin, then save the final rankings for after the state championships.
Ardrey Kell finished last season as the No. 1 team in the West, but the 4A runner-up starts this year off a 3A runner-up finish. North Iredell returns everyone from last year’s team. HighSchoolOT will publish weekly rankings until the playoffs begin, then save the final rankings for after the state championships.
