WIAA talks about basketball state tournament

  • By David Krueger Herald Writer
  • Tuesday, May 7, 2013 11:05pm
  • Sports

YAKIMA — It wasn’t long after Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Director Mike Colbrese finished his opening remarks at Monday’s Associated Press Sports Editors meeting before he was asked about the state basketball tournament, and possibly expanding the number of teams that go to the final tournament from eight to 16.

At the APSE meeting at The Yakima Herald-Republic, Colbrese said that the old model, where 16 boys and girls teams from each 3A and 4A classifications went to Tacoma, was not financially sustainable. According to Colbrese, the state basketball tournament had declining revenue by 33 percent in recent years, prompting the WIAA to make changes.

“At some point we were going to get to the point where we were going to have to raise membership fees and ticket prices,” Colbrese said.

Colbrese, who noted he’s received a “handful of emails” urging the WIAA to go back to its old format which was last in place for the 2010 state tournament, said that the WIAA has cut its “overhead in half” having the regional round of the state tournament at other locations closer to the schools participating.

He added the new model has been “successful” because “more people are seeing regional games. And it’s made for exciting games at Tacoma.”

A pair of state championships went into overtime at the most recent tournament, which also delayed the start of the 4A title game between Jackson and Curtis a bit, with it not ending until after 11 p.m. (which, incidentally, was rough on us reporters on deadline). Colbrese said that options are being considered, such as having the consolation games Saturday played on the adjacent court at the same time as title games.

Other amendments that were discussed at the recent WIAA meeting included one that would update enrollment on a four-year cycle (which failed) and one that allowed schools with separate alternative high schools to remove those students from their enrollment count.

Conor Laffey, the WIAA Sports and Activities Information Director, also discussed an addition to the WIAA website that is set to begin next year. The website hired two employees to update schedules, scores and standings on the website, with the help of school athletic directors.

It continues a recent makeover for the WIAA site.

“We’ve revamped the entire website the last few years,” Laffey said.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Victoria Royals at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Some good, some bad for Silvertips in season-opening split

Everett was missing three key players over the weekend but significantly outshot its two opponents.

A look at the Seattle Sounders’ new crest and secondary images unveiled on Tuesday. (Seattle Times photo)
Sounders unveil new crest, colors as 50th season approaches

The new look, which gives a nod to the past, will start being worn by the team next season.

Mike Thomas (6) owner of the Everett Royals, shares a laugh after practice at Archbishop Murphy High School on February 2, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team announces owners, coach

The franchise had been shrouded in mystery since the league announced it was relaunching in April.

Washington's Sami Reynolds bats during a Women's College World Series game this past June in Oklahoma City. (UW Athletics photo)
The Herald’s 2022-23 Woman of the Year in Sports: Sami Reynolds

The Snohomish grad capped an outstanding five-year career with an All-American season and one of the biggest moments in UW history.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Sept. 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Sept. 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep roundup for Tuesday, Sept. 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, Sept. 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The 1987 Cascade boys soccer team poses for a photo in front of the Space Needle in Seattle. (County Sports Hall of Fame photo)
County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 bio: 1987 Cascade boys soccer

The 1987 Cascade boys soccer team won the AAA title and kicked off a run of five straight appearances in the state title game.

Arlington’s Caleb Reed is thrown into the air by lineman Dylan Scott after scoring a touchdown against Ferndale on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep football power rankings after Week 4

Here are our top 8 local teams after all the action from Friday and Saturday.

Monroe’s Mason Davis (1) celebrates with Trent Bublitz (11) after Bublitz’s touchdown reception against Edmonds-Woodway on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Edmonds School District Stadium in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Reader poll: Make your picks for Week 5 prep football games

Do you think you can beat the experts in our weekly high… Continue reading

Most Read