Four reigning WPIAL champions will be changing classifications as the WPIAL announced its section alignments for the next two school years Tuesday.
Sewickley Academy, the Class 2A champ that ignited the latest round of private vs. public debate in PIAA basketball with a star-studded lineup this past season, will voluntarily move up to Class 4A.
The Panthers move into Section 2-4A with Lincoln Park and Hopewell, among others.
Oakland Catholic, the girls Class 4A champ last season, is also voluntarily bumping up, moving to Class 5A.
Girls Class 2A champ Neshannock is moving up to Class 3A and boys Class A champ Neighborhood Academy is making the move to Class 2A.
Imani Christian is making the opposite move. After winning back-to-back Class A titles in 2023-24, the Saints voluntarily bumped all the way up to Class 6A for the last two-year cycle. They’ll be moving back to Class A next year.
In girls basketball, Valley, which did not have a team last year, and Highlands, which did not complete the season, will not have WPIAL section schedules.
Propel Braddock Hills, Beaver County Christian, Propel Montour, Neighborhood Academy and Trinity Chritian are new to WPIAL sections. In boys basketball, Trinity Christian will add a WPIAL schedule.
According to the WPIAL, schedules will be announced for basketball on May 26, wrestling on May 27 and swimming and rifle on May 28.
Here is a look at the teams that are moving up and moving down for the next two seasons.
BOYS BASKETBALL
MOVING UP
5A to 6A: Baldwin, Peters Township
3A to 4A: Ellwood City, Mt. Pleasant
2A to 4A: Sewickley Academy
2A to 3A: Neshannock
A to 2A: Neighborhood Academy, Avella
MOVING DOWN
6A to 5A: New Castle, Woodland Hills
6A to A: Imani Christian
5A to 4A: Hampton, Ringgold, Blackhawk, Lincoln Park
4A to 3A: Ambridge, Quaker Valley
3A to 2A: Bishop Canevin, Sto-Rox, Washington
2A to A: Greensburg Central Catholic, Leechburg
GIRLS BASKETBALL
MOVING UP
5A to 6A: Fox Chapel, Baldwin, Bethel Park, Peters Township
4A to 5A: Hampton, Oakland Catholic, Laurel Highlands
3A to 4A: East Allegheny
2A to 3A: Aliquippa, Neshannock, Bentworth, Chartiers-Houston, Carlynton, Northgate
A to 2A: Sewickley Academy, Union, Avella, Mapletown, West Greene, Clairton, Springdale
MOVING DOWN
6A to 5A: Woodland Hills, Connellsville
5A to 4A: Greensburg Salem, West Mifflin
4A to 3A: Derry, South Park, Southmoreland
3A to 2A: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Sto-Rox
2A to A: Rochester, Ellis School
Here is a look at new section alignments in winter sports for the next two school years: