Eastside Prep athletic teams that now compete in the 1A Emerald City League will join 13 other teams in the new 1A Emerald Sound Conference beginning in the 2020-21 season.

Fellow Emerald City schools Overlake, University Prep, Seattle Academy, Bear Creek, Bush, Northwest School and Forest Ridge (girls only) will merge with 1A North Sound Conference schools Cedar Park Christian, King’s, Sultan, Granite Falls and South Whidbey along with Seattle public charter school Summit Sierra to form the District 2 league.

That number of schools was finalized after the WIAA final opt-up deadline closed on Jan. 15.

League officials noted in a press release the benefits of the merger “include divisional play leading to more competitive equity and more opportunity for student-athletes in all sports and at all levels.”

The league will focus on providing education-based athletics, emphasizing sportsmanship and fair play and building relationships with neighboring schools and communities.