Bonner & Prendergast’s run to the PIAA Class 4A boys basketball final in 2019 is one of the reasons the Friars are being moved up to Class 5A for the next two seasons under the PIAA’s recently instituted competitive classification formula. PETE BANNAN – MEDIANEWS GROUP
By Matt Smith
Archbishop Carroll’s girls and Bonner-Prendergast boys are among the 15 basketball teams that are being forced to move up one PIAA classification next season.
The reclassification is based on the PIAA’a competitive classification formula, which was introduced in 2018. In the previous two-year classification cycle, a team that gains success points as well as transfer students “that are equal to or exceeds the stated numbers, the school will move up one classification,” according to PIAA.org. Carroll and Bonner-Prendie fit this description.
Carroll girls will play in Class 6A (the highest PIAA classification) and Bonner-Prendie will make the leap to Class 5A.
The PIAA’s controversial formula awards four success points to teams that advance to the state finals, which Carroll and Bonner-Prendie accomplished during the 2018-19 campaign. Three points are awarded to semifinalists, two to quarterfinalists and one for qualifying for the state tournament.
In essence, Carroll girls and Bonner-Prendie boys will be reclassified for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons because both programs accepted a minimum of one transfer athlete and accrued enough “success points” during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns.
