Classification Changes May Shake Up State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enrollment counts taken in mid- to late-September cause a little reshuffling in the classification system each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These changes may not seem impactful to a lot of schools, but to a few, it can have a big impact on their ranking throughout the season and, obviously, where they will compete come the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A change in classification might make a path to state a whole lot tougher, or easier, depending on which way you move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What schools will a change in class in 2022-2023 effect the most?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hugoton (3A to 4A):</strong> You have to think this is probably the most impactful move of the group. The Eagles went to state last year with a 19-4 record, but lost in the first round to Hesston. They return a loaded roster led by [player_tooltip player_id='1378394' first='Carson' last='Bennett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1080203' first='Ryle' last='Riddlesperger'] and a bunch of younger players who gained great experience on varsity and in club competition. They might have been the favorite to start the season, had they stayed in 3A. Now they'll have to deal with being the third-smallest school in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas More Prep (3A to 2A): </strong>While Hugoton gets bumped up to 4A, another team who went to state in 3A last year moves the opposite direction. The Monarchs lose a ton of contributors from that fourth-place finisher, but they return a couple of studs in 6-foot-6 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1212164' first='Dylan' last='Werth']  and guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1146303' first='Kade' last='Harris']</strong>. The move down to 2A might help them stay competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cair Paravel (1A to 2A):</strong> This is a tough move for the Lions, particularly considering the graduation losses they suffered. Five of their top six scorers were all seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mill Valley (5A to 6A):</strong> Mill Valley went just 10-11 in 5A and now they must become the smallest school in the biggest classification. This hurts, because they return some a solid core including the top-rated sophomore in [player_tooltip player_id='1588338' first='Carter' last='Kaifes'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hutchinson (6A to 5A):</strong> Led by senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1080175' first='Garrett' last='Robertson'] (pictured), the Salthawks will benefit from moving down a class. They return big man <strong>Nic Lange</strong> and add <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1486811' first='Wade' last='Meyer']</strong>, a transfer from Buhler, to the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->