You DO realize the NC state line doesnt end at Hickory dont you? Seems not too many people east of here are aware of that. (Many think Asheville is in Tennessee.) Fact is, the distance from the farthest west of NC (Murphy) to Charlotte is 226 miles. and a driving time of 4 hrs (more with traffic) I can drive and have driven to Wilmington in less than 8 hrs several times. (about 450 miles) Charlotte at 226 miles. by my math seems pretty much halfway to me for all practical purposes. Depending on what part of the ENC coast you're going to, (Far east to the top of the state to most population centers is a bit farther to be fair) in mileage and driving distance, Charlotte is just about halfway. from anywhere in NC , so it stands to reason that ,any point EAST of Charlotte IS east wouldn't it? Weddington is located EAST of Charlotte. isnt it? If this is true, weren't we om reality watching two EASTERN teams playing in the title game. with neither having any connection to the west whatsoever? Since there are few truly western located 4a teams these facts and figures notwithstanding, they apparently used Weddington to help fill out the WEST bracket. Thats ok if you want to pull for a compass direction (or against) thats ALL it is.