After two prominent Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) schools made the jump to the AHSAA two years ago, four more AISA programs are set to make that same move in 2024. Autauga Academy, Glenwood School, Lee-Scott Academy, and Pickens Academy will join the Alabama High School Athletic Association starting in January.
The other recent newcomers are Pike Liberal Arts and Tuscaloosa Academy, which made the move prior to the 2021-22 athletic year.
Glenwood and Lee-Scott are notable AHSAA additions, as the two long-time rivals have consistently been among the AISA’s top athletic programs across the last decade-plus. The Gators and Warriors are no strangers to success, having won numerous AISA state titles in a variety of sports, some as recently as last year.
In 3A, the highest classification, the Gators have one of the top football teams in the AISA, and they have won state titles in basketball and baseball within the last calendar year. They’ve also been strong in other sports recently, including softball, volleyball, and more.
Lee-Scott is another longtime Class 3A member, and similar to the Gators, the Warriors have been historically been strong in multiple sports. They are the defending state football champions in AISA Class 3A.
The Gators and Warriors are likely to bring that head-to-head annual series to the AHSAA, as the two schools – which are only 29 miles apart – could very easily be in the same classification and region/area.
The other two AISA schools set to join the AHSAA in 2024, Autauga and Pickens, are strong in their own right in sports including basketball and baseball. The current Generals football team is competing in AISA Class 3A, and Pickens is in Class 2A.
The AHSAA classifications for each will be revealed when fall sports reclassifications for the 2024-25 athletic year are announced in December. Where will Autauga, Glenwood, Lee-Scott, and Pickens land, and how will they fare against AHSAA competition beginning in 2024?
