Fund woes lead to WIAA redo on hoop tourneys

A revamp of the state’s hoop tournaments, which is expected to include a gathering of all B qualifiers back in Spokane, was sparked by WIAA fund woes and concerns about overall loss to class time and travel costs. A report of the WIAA executive board session last week from Ryan Peplinski, athletic director at St. George’s who represented the district at the session was circulated to Bi-County schools this week.

Peplinski’s report pointed out the state hoop playoffs have always been the top revenue generator for the WIAA, but reduced income over the past five years had led up to the need for change. The exec board faces decisions on reducing WIAA spending, hiking tourney ticket prices and fees to member schools and a setback in restarting the reimbursement program to schools who play in the tournaments.

Peplinski reported for the past two years a sub-committee has been examining different formats for the hoop playoffs. The sub-committee looked at formats in other states. Peplinski said he was surprised to learn Washington was the last state to still stage a 16-team double elimination playoffs at one site.

School administrators have also been pushing for less travel and less class time loss. Coaches overall wanted to leave the 16-team format in place.

Peplinski also noted because of the fund loss the exec board also decided to take action now rather than wait for the next two-year classification and playoff cycle to start in 2013.

The board opted to keep a 16-team playoff format for the six state classifications. .However, each will start with four regional rounds on the last weekend of February. Eight finalists, two from each regional, will then advance to the state finals which will all be on the traditional state tourney weekend, March 3-5.

The WIAA plans to have playoffs for boys and girls teams in two classifications at three sites on that weekend. The Bs are expected to assemble at the Spokane Arena. The 1A and 2A finals will be in Yakima’s SunDome and the 3A and 4A will be in the Spokane Arena.

The change means an end to the exclusive 1B tournament which has been staged in Yakima on the last weekend of February for the last four years.

Sites for the regional rounds are expected to be selected by WIAA directors in June.