PIAA reveals which WPIAL teams will voluntarily ‘play up’ for 2026-27, 2027-28 seasons

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, December 12, 2025 | 7:20 PM

Two WPIAL boys basketball teams that recently reached the state finals will voluntarily play in higher classifications for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

Neighborhood Academy will “play up” to Class 2A, and Sewickley Academy jumps to 4A next winter, according to a list provided Friday by the PIAA. Neighborhood Academy is the reigning WPIAL and PIAA Class A champion. Sewickley Academy was the state runner-up in Class 2A last season.

They’re among 14 WPIAL basketball teams that elected to “play up” into a higher classification starting next winter.

The Upper St. Clair boys and girls teams will both compete in Class 6A, while the Avella, Mapletown and West Greene boys and girls all asked to play in 2A. Also playing up in classification are the boys basketball teams at Central Catholic (Class 6A) and Eden Christian (2A), along with girls teams at Greensburg Central Catholic (2A) and Oakland Catholic (5A).

The deadline to voluntarily move up was Dec. 1.

Among football teams, WPIAL semifinalist Bishop Canevin will voluntarily move to Class 2A next season despite an enrollment that qualifies the Crusaders to stay in A. They’re among three WPIAL football teams that elected to “play up” into a higher classification for the 2026 and ’27 seasons. Central Catholic will remain up one classification in Class 6A football, and Imani Christian competes again in 3A.

Also playing up are:

• Girls volleyball teams at North Catholic (5A), Avella (2A), Mapletown (2A) and West Greene (2A)

• Baseball teams at Riverview (2A), Central Catholic (6A) and Upper St. Clair (6A)

• Central Catholic boys lacrosse (6A)

• Five teams at Shady Side Academy moved up: girls tennis (3A), boys tennis (3A), field hockey (2A), boys lacrosse (3A) and girls lacrosse (3A).

The PIAA collects updated enrollment numbers every two years to reset its classifications. The WPIAL will use those numbers in the coming months to realign sections for the next two school years.

Other teams still may be moved up involuntarily under the PIAA competitive-balance rule.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Avella, Bishop Canevin, Central Catholic, Eden Christian, Greensburg C.C., Imani Christian, Mapletown, Neighborhood Academy, North Catholic, Oakland Catholic, Riverview, Sewickley Academy, Upper St. Clair, West Greene