Based on our previous reporting from May of 2018, the FHSAA announcement from November of 2018, as well as additional research from Tampa Lax Report, it is becoming clearer what the forthcoming official announcement concerning the reclassification of high school lacrosse in the state will look like.
Using school population as the determining factor, lacrosse will follow in the footsteps of other more established high school sports in dividing the schools into classifications. The 1A Class will be smaller schools, while the 2A Class will be comprised of larger schools. The classes will be created and filled solely based on school population and without regard for public or private institutions.
The approximate break point will change depending upon the number of schools as well as their fluctuating populations, but the current estimate is approximately 1,800 high school students. However, if both Marion and Pinellas counties are approved for FHSAA inclusion soon, the break point will be much closer to 2,100 students.
Along with the classification change, the FHSAA will reduce the number of districts from 32 to 16. What this means is that the geographic region that encompasses each district will increase. This certainly means longer distances between schools within the same district, and subsequently, longer bus rides for away games.
Locally, the Tampa Lax Report region will definitely change as we will now be covering both 1A and 2A classes, the local districts in each of those classes, as well as boys and girls teams for each district in each class. TLR expects a few new schools to fall under this umbrella, which is exciting for the growth of the sport and of Tampa Lax Report.
Based on our research, we expect the following breakdown:
1A
St. Stephen’s, Out-of-Door, St. Petersburg Catholic, Carrollwood Day School, Tampa Prep, Cardinal Mooney, Calvary Christian, Berkeley Prep, Tampa Catholic, Sarasota Military Academy, Jesuit, Academy of Holy Names, Wesley Chapel, Robinson, Jefferson, Clearwater, Freedom, St. Petersburg, Sunlake, Mitchell
2A
Venice, Wiregrass Ranch, East Lake, Manatee, Bloomingdale, Sickles, Durant, Lakewood Ranch, Wharton, Steinbrenner, Plant, Palm Harbor University, Alonso, Riverview, Newsome
