Several prominent Indy high school sports programs moving up in class

The Indiana High School Athletic Association released the new classifications on Tuesday across several sports for the next two school years.

Several local programs will change class based on the new enrollment figures, which were submitted by the schools to the Indiana Department of Education last fall and used to determine the classifications in the sports of boys and girls basketball, football, boys and girls soccer softball and volleyball.

The sectional groupings will not be determined until at least May 4. Of note is that Mishawaka has opted to play football in Class 5A despite its enrollment dropping it to 4A. The Fort Wayne Canterbury boys soccer team, despite not accumulating enough points to stay in Class 2A under the tournament success factor, has decided to continue to play in 2A.

Here are key highlights for the new classification cycle:

>>In boys basketball, Guerin Catholic will move up to 4A under the tournament success factor. Muncie Central and Kankakee Valley are also moving up based on enrollment. Northwest, Marion, New Palestine and South Bend Washington will drop to 3A. New Palestine is the largest 3A school and would have stayed in 4A if Guerin Catholic hadn't won state and accumulated the points to move up.

>>Also in boys basketball, there are several schools locally moving from 2A to 3A — Crispus Attucks, Cardinal Ritter, Manual, Washington and Park Tudor (tournament success factor). Rensselaer Central and Sullivan will also move up to 3A.

>>In football, Tech will move down to Class 5A from 6A, while Cathedral bumps up again to 6A under the tournament success factor. Columbus East and New Palestine move up from 4A to 5A under the tournament success factor, while Plainfield will remain in 4A as the largest schools in the class due to Mishawaka requesting to play up.

>>Also in football, Danville and Northwest will drop from 4A to 3A. Manual and Washington will move up from 2A to 3A. Eastern Hancock, Howe and Scecina will jump from Class A to 2A, while Eastern Greene will drop to Class A.

>>In girls basketball, Northwest drops from 4A to 3A. Jumping from 2A to 3A are Heritage Christian, Cardinal Ritter, Crispus Attucks, Manual and Washington.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.