Dr. Brian Newsome is the principal of Gray Collegiate Academy in West Columbia. Earlier this week he issued a letter stating that Brookland-Cayce and Airport High Schools will not t participate in sub-varsity level athletic contests with Gray Collegiate. Below is a copy of that letter.

Lexington Two issued an official response to the letter. It reads: “This is the first year of transition to a new region makeup, and our varsity teams are excited about competing against all of our region opponents. However, schools have more latitude in scheduling sub-varsity, across all sports, so we’ve decided to make some adjustments at that level for this school year.”

Gray Families,

As many of you are aware, we have had many recent and on-going communications with the South Carolina High School League and other schools that are in our newly assigned Region. As background information, Gray Collegiate Academy (GCA) has been a member of the South Carolina High School League in good standing for a decade. Based on the new multiplier, GCA has been assigned by the League to participate in Region 4 of the League’s AAAA classification. Last week, we were notified by Brookland-Cayce High School and Airport High School’s Athletic Directors that their schools, also assigned to Region 4, would not participate in any sub varsity level interscholastic athletic contests with GCA during the 2024-2025 school year.

We are very aware that the decisions of these schools located in Lexington County School District Two are of concern for many of our families here at GCA. We have taken numerous steps to ensure that your student-athlete is able to compete at a high level and in numerous sub varsity athletic contests during the 2024-2025 school year and moving forward. We have already been in communication with other schools to replace these games. GCA would like to thank our coaches for their extensive efforts the past two years.

Additionally, GCA would like to thank the schools also located within Region 4 that have already scheduled games with us at the sub varsity level. We would like to thank the school district’s school boards and administration, as well as the schools’ leadership. Sub varsity contests have been scheduled with all other schools in the Region which includes: Gilbert High School, Aiken High School, Midland Valley High School, South Aiken High School, and North Augusta High School. Likewise, we continue to appreciate all of the other schools located outside the Region that play GCA on a consistent and on-going basis.

Please know that GCA strives to continue being a collaborative, friendly, law-abiding member of the League. We appreciate families who have exercised their right to public school choice under South Carolina law. Our goal is for them to be treated fairly with opportunities to compete and have a wonderful academic and athletic experience.

Fondly,

Dr. William B. Newsome