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Updated: 1:53 PM Nov 19, 2009
VHSL Proposes Reformed Valley District for 2011
Charlottesville, Va. Fans longing for the return of the old Valley District alignment for local high school athletics in the area may soon get their wish.
Posted: 4:55 PM Nov 18, 2009Reporter: Damon Dillman Email Address: ddillman@whsv.com |
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4 Comments 
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Facts are facts. We're talking about the science of demographics and populations. You mention a couple of anomolies, not anything to base re-districting on. Lee basketball is a cultural anomoly. In the late 90's (and it was only a few years) Fort Defiance was a similar size as other schools. Since then, the population at Fort Defiance has actually decreased while schools in the northern part of the Valley have increased. Schools do have 'runs' of outstanding athletes. However, the larger the school the easier they rebound from losing those athletes and remain competitive. All you have to do is look at the top 2 or 3 schools in the old Valley District each year in ALL sports and the picture is very clear.
Also, William this year the Southern Valley district is way down in football in terms of talent. Usually, Lee, Stuarts Draft and Rockbridge have some of the best football teams in the area. The smaller Fort Defiance went to states year after year in the late 90's and early 2000's. With the current alignment, next year Spotswood will be close to 700 students competing against HHS, TA, and Broadway which have well over 1000 students. That is not fair, but honestly I think the reformed valley is a good idea.
Well William, that's not necessarily true. Look at the R.E. Lee basketball teams from the early 2000's. Their enrollment was around 700-800 and they won states almost every year or were runner-ups or at least in the state tourney and they were competing against bigger AA schools with up to 1400 students. This isn't the only case. Martinsville and Greensville were the same way as Lee and they both were great and could beat most, if not all bigger AA schools. I am greatly in favor of the proposed 'new' Valley District!
The current district set-up is the best and most fair. High School sports is all about numbers. Within the proposed set-up there is as much as a 500 student difference in enrollment. Basic demographic facts: within every population of 100 students there are 'x' number of good athletes. The more students the more athletes. Obvious advantages to larger schools. This is also borne out by evidence. Look at championships and wins in the old Valley District where, with a few exceptions, over and over the larger schools prevailed. Look no further than football games this year between Massanutten schools and Southern Valley schools. The proposed alignment is unfair. Under the proposed alignment several schools will be closer to 'A' size than they are to other schools within the same district. Duh!?