VHSL NEWS: Major Changes Proposed To State Tournaments

This is the proposed format for the state basketball quarterfinals, semifinals and championship round for the Virginia High School League effective next season. It will be voted upon by the Executive Committee this week.


Staff recommends the following tournament format for 2017 and beyond:

STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT FORMAT

1. Tournament to be played over 2 weekends (as is currently done)

2. Quarterfinals and semifinals played at designated supersites (see below) on first weekend a. Thursday/Friday quarterfinals; Saturday semifinals – winners advance to state finals b. 4 games per day, per site – total of 12 per site c. Game times (approximate) 3:00, 4:45, 6:30, 8:15 each day d. Single gender games on Thursday and Friday; alternate genders on Saturday e. Sites alternate annually so that travel “balances out” over time

3. Finals played at The Siegel Center (or other site) the following weekend
a. Championship games Thursday, Friday, Saturday
b. 4 games per day, alternate genders
c. Game times (approximate) 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00 each day
d. Rotate classifications on an annual basis

GROUP:   2017    2018      2019    2020      2021    2022       2023
1A:            VHS    JMU      VHS    VCU      VHS    SCC       VHS
2A:            JMU   UVA-W  SCC   UVA-W  JMU   UVA-W   SCC
3A:            VCU    SCC      JMU    ODU     SCC     JMU       VCU
4A:            SCC     ODU     ROB    SCC      ODU   ROB       JMU
5A:            ODU    ROB     VCU    JMU      ROB    VCU      ODU
6A:            ROB    VCU      ODU   ROB      VCU    ODU      ROB


VHS = Virginia High School, Bristol
JMU = James Madison University (Convocation Center), Harrisonburg
VCU = Virginia Commonwealth University (The Stuart C. Siegel Center), Richmond
SCC = Salem Civic Center, Salem
ODU = Old Dominion University (Ted Constant Center), Norfolk
ROB = James W. Robinson Secondary School, Fairfax
UVA‐W – University of Virginia‐Wise Campus (The Prior Convocation Center), Wise)

The above format addresses several concerns:
1. Elimination of morning games
2. Reduction in travel as some teams remain local longer
3. Elimination of early week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) games              
4. Potential for increased revenue as a result of playing quarterfinals and semifinals at the same location
5. Better turn‐around time for teams going on to finals
6. League meetings go back to Thursday/Friday and do not conflict with game times

Staff recommends approval.