The 2025-26 school year will mark a change in North Carolina high school sports forever. 

The N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) will be adding four new classifications to move up to eight total. Our school will be a part of the 7A classification after petitioning to move up from 6A. 

Gibbons will be a part of the Triangle Six Conference. This conference will consist of Felton Grove (6A), Middle Creek (6A), Cary (7A), Holly Springs (7A), Sanderson (7A), and Cardinal Gibbons (7A). Felton Grove, located in Apex, is a new school opening next year with only freshmen and sophomores.

Sanderson is the only team previously a part of Gibbons’ conference before the realignment. Gibbons has never been in a conference with any of the other four teams.

Besides Gibbons and Sanderson, all other former Cap-6 teams will move up to 8A. 

Moving up to 7A will have an impact on Cardinal Gibbons as it gives us a chance to compete at a higher level while also giving us the chance to compete against teams that we haven’t necessarily played against yet. 

Another story about the greater impact of moving up to 7A on Gibbons will be published later in the school year.