The results are sure to intensify a hot-button debate within the NSAA. Should private schools be subject to an enrollment multiplier? That’s the rule in some states. That’s the focus of an NSAA classification committee. The idea is based on the theory that private schools have higher athletic participation rates.
Private schools make up about 10 percent of NSAA schools. From 2006 to 2015, they won 33 percent of boys state basketball championships — 20 of 60 in the six classes. That was before Saturday.
Let’s consider a conservative 1.3 multiplier — some states go as high as 2.0. What would happen? Neumann would still be C-1, but the Cavaliers would be competing with St. Cecilia, which would jump from C-2 to C-1.
Lourdes would move up from D-1 to C-2. St. Francis would jump from D-2 to D-1.
St. Cecilia is the poster child for the debate. The Bluehawks have won five state championships since 2008 — three in C-1 and two in C-2. This season, they went 1-1 against Neumann and beat C-1 runner-up Adams Central by 23 points.