Nick Stevens Coverage

Stevens: This is why the NCHSAA moved to a 'Final Four' style format for the basketball playoffs

For the first time in history, the NCHSAA will hold all basketball semifinals and finals at a single neutral site. So how did we get here and why was this decision made? Nick Stevens explains.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Stevens: Momentum behind girls sports accelerating in NC with room to grow

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is recognized on Wednesday, and in North Carolina, girls participation in high school sports has a positive story to tell. More girls are playing high school sports and there are more opportunities being offered.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Stevens: Tragedy in Kansas illustrates risk of working on the sidelines

A high school football photographer in Kansas died after she was hit on the sideline at a game. This illustrates the need for us to take sideline safety more serious in high school sports.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Stevens: Saturday showcases highlight new venues for high school sports

WakeMed Soccer Park and Bank of America Stadium each held high school football games for the first time ever on Saturday, and Nick Stevens said it should definitely not be the last.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Fixing behavior in sports requires reconsidering how we measure the return on investment

Longtime sports reporter Anne Marie Anderson opened the NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit on Monday with a story about the need for parents to re-evaluate how they measure success in youth and high school sports.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

HSOT's Nick Stevens to participate on panel at NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit

The NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit seeks to find solutions to resolve behavioral issues at high school sports events across the country. Poor behavior is one of the main contributors to the nationwide official shortage.

HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens named soccer media representative of the year

The N.C. Soccer Coaches Association announced that HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens has been named the organization's Media Representative of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year.

Round Table: Nick Stevens and J. Mike Blake break down NCHSAA realignment news

HighSchoolOT's Nick Stevens and J. Mike Blake break down the breaking news out of the NCHSAA as the latest amendment involving realignment and expanded classes starting in 2025-26 has received enough votes from membership to pass.

Here's how the NCHSAA will determine the playoff brackets this year

Once again, the N.C. High School Athletic Association will use an RPI formula to determine which teams will make the state playoffs in many sports during the 2022-2023 school year.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Stevens: Some perspective on the decline in NC high school sports participation

We've been anticipating the release of new high school sports participation data for a few years now. On Wednesday, the National Federation of State High School Associations finally delivered.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Nick Stevens joins 'The Adam Gold Show' to discuss the start of high school football

HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens appeared on "The Adam Gold Show" on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming high school football season in North Carolina, including top players, teams, and conferences.

We should embrace the opportunity in NIL for high school sports in NC

You read the headline and now you probably fall into one of two groups -- one group of people who are thinking, "Finally! Yes!" Or another group who is thinking, "Nick Stevens has officially lost his mind. If that happens, I'm out."

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Why we are probably not witnessing a repeat of March 2020 for high school sports

Based on what scientists tell us, it sounds like we're headed for another wave of COVID-19 infections in the United States thanks to the winter season, holiday gatherings, and the omicron variant. While that's not good news, based on what we know today, it doesn't seem likely to cause a repeat of March 2020 when it comes to high school sports.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Nick Stevens looks ahead to the football state championships

The high school football season comes to a close this week, but not before we crown four state champions. Nick Stevens takes a quick look at all four state championship games.

Here's why you shouldn't judge the RPI ratings system right now

When the N.C. High School Athletic Association released the first round of RPI ratings for football, volleyball, and boys soccer on Tuesday, I knew what was coming.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Data about COVID-19 in high school sports lacks important context

DHHS released data last week claiming 45% of clusters in North Carolina high schools involve athletics, but that data ignores some major context.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Athletic directors are torn over NCHSAA investigation, largely oppose legislative changes

As the legislative investigation into the N.C. High School Athletic Association moves forward, HighSchoolOT asked athletic directors at NCHSAA member schools what they thought about the investigation.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Athens Drive is Wake County's last hope in 4A girls soccer

Wake County has dominated the eastern region in the 4A girls soccer state playoffs since... well... since girls soccer was sanctioned by the N.C. High School Athletic Association in the 1980s.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Seeding Saturday: HSOT playoff projections go final

Nick Stevens breaks down the final football playoff projections ahead of the NCHSAA's bracket release.

Seeding Saturday: Morning update from Nick Stevens

HighSchoolOT's Nick Stevens updates the playoff picture on the morning of Seeding Saturday.

Nick Stevens updates playoff picture after Friday's football regular season finales

HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens walks you through the bubbles in various regions of the state after Friday's Week 7 finales, explains what to watch for on Saturday, and takes questions.

Nick Stevens updates playoff projections, bubble scenarios going into final night of football season

HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens walks you through the various playoff projection scenarios, the bubble teams, and key games as teams prepare for regular season finales on Friday.

Following Monday's Week 7 games, Nick Stevens provides update on playoff bubble

HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens updates the football playoff bubble after Monday night's games, which included some tie-breakers and elimination games.

Escaping the shadow: Rolesville football is now in the spotlight

In the last two seasons, Rolesville's football program has risen to a level many didn't expect to see when the school opened in the fall of 2013.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Nick Stevens breaks down football playoff projections with one week left

HighSchoolOT managing editor Nick Stevens held a Facebook Live discussion on Saturday to explain the football playoff process and breakdown the latest round of projections with just one week left in the regular season.