MHSA conference proposal is in

The Montana High School Association has shuffled the deck for classifications next year, with seven schools making moves both up and down.

Several of those change will affect schools in Sanders County for at least the next two years. Reclassification is done every two years as schools can elect to stay in their classification or move down if their numbers don’t meet requirement numbers.

Ronan, after the school board on Nov. 8 voted to move down from Class A to Class B, was placed in District 6B for football, basketball and volleyball. They were placed in the Western Division in Class B-C for softball, wrestling and boys’ and girls’ tennis. Ronan was also placed in Division 3 in boys’ and girls’ golf and Class B for cross country.

Ronan is the only school from Class A this year to make a change and will be one of the larger schools in Class B.

The revamped District 6B with have Florence Carlton, Loyola Sacred Heart, Powell Co., Ronan and St. Ignatius. That means the Chiefs will have a rival in the Mission Valley, but won’t be in the same division as defending state champion Bigfork, which remained in District 7B with Plains, Thompson Falls, Troy and Lincoln Co.

Last season, St. Ignatius was in District 7B.With Ronan’s departure, the Northwestern A Con-ference in Class A added Frenchtown. Frenchtown came from the Southwestern Conference and will matchup with Polson next year as a conference opponent.

In the past two years, the Northwestern Conference has seen Bigfork and Ronan move down from the A classification.

The MHSA also approved six-man football for Two Eagle River High School and Hot Springs High School next year pending a two-week notice. They will play in the Western Conference with Alberton, Lima, Lone Peak, St. Regis and West Yellowstone.

In other reclassification changes, Darby, Superior, Cascade, Manhattan Christian and Valey Christian all moved from Class B to C. On the flip side, Joliet High School moved from Class C to B.

Billings Central and Butte Central had the opportunity to move down in classification but elected to stay in Class A.

Lodge Grass High School elected to stay in Class B.

The MHSA breaks up their classifications as follows: 826 students or more for Class AA, 340 to 825 students for Class A, 120 to 339 students for Class B, 119 students and below for Class C.

The MHSA also approved recommendations to require cross country athletes to have minimum times at at least one meet during the season. Boys should be 30:00 or faster while girls should be 35:00 or faster.

In softball, the MHSA approved that officials should not start a new inning after one hour and 20 minutes of play, except if a tie exists where NFHS Softball Rules for tiebreaking would be followed.

The use of electronic and air amplified devices by spectators at MHSA events was prohibited and all outdoor contests’ bands will not be allowed to play during what is deemed as “live ball”.

MHSA could have fifth classification

MHSA executive director Mark Beckman has sent an eight-page memo to Class C schools, outlining the possible creation of a new fifth classification. It would be for Montana’s smallest schools, with enrollments of less than 64 students. The MHSA will continue to take input during the com-ing year on the possible new classification.

If enacted, the Class C schools with over 65 students would have 38 teams, consisting of three divisions and seven districts for basketball. The sport of volleyball would have 40 teams with the same number of divisions and classifica-tions. It’s been suggested that Arlee, Charlo and Two Eagle be placed in District 7 (West) with Noxon and Superior.

The under 64 students classification would have 51 teams in four divisions and nine districts for basketball. In volleyball, it would have 44 teams in four divisions and nine districts.Former district foes of Lake County teams would be placed in District 9, consisting of Alberton, Hot Springs, Philipsburg and St. Regis.

Right now, it’s a recommendation by the MHSA and not a proposal, as the organization is looking for feedback from its member schools. It could be approved as soon as 2012.