If you were in the gym at Woodcreek High last night, you got a glimpse of why I still have a problem with the league realignment plan that kicks in next year.

Especially for those of you who follow Oakmont High sports, enjoy the atmosphere of an SFL rivalry game while you can because it won't be around for long. With the Vikings slated to move to the new-look Capital Valley Conference beginning this fall, the neighborhood rivalry will be a thing of the past.

The gym was loud last night as the Woodcreek fans and the Oakmont contigent went back and forth in support of their teams. Coaches and players that grew up in the same town and know each other well getting together in games where familiarity ratchets up the intensity is very special.

That is a big part of high school sports. It was lost eight years ago when Oakmont and Granite Bay were shipped out of the SFL for a four-year hiatus, and after four years back together, it will be lost again, at least at Oakmont.

This time, just the Vikings are being evicted, and perhaps they are okay with that, but I find it sad.

Don't get me wrong. Bella Vista, Casa Roble, Christian Brothers, Del Campo and Rio Linda all have excellent teams in different sports, but the cross-town aspect and the intense rivalries will be lost. Some of those teams share rivalry amongst themselves, but Oakmont will be the outsider.

If they were at least being moved to a different division (say Division III), I would at least understand, but the move to the CVC is a lateral move to another D-II league.

As I stood there last night during a great basketball game between two outstanding teams and took in the atmosphere, I could not help but think about what it will be like next year when Oakmont visits, say Del Campo on a Thursday night. They might surprise me, but I am guessing something will be missing when the rivalry is gone to satisfy bureaucratic expediency.

Since he mentioned it to me after the game, I know the same thing was on Oakmont basketball coach Rick Campbell's mind as well. Like me, I am guessing he will enjoy the rivalry contests still on the schedule this season before he starts preparing for the CVC.