With the approval of a sixth classification for basketball by CHSAA this week, there is also the need to adjust or even revamp the postseason structure in each division. Those changes were also approved by CHSAA during their annual legislative council meeting on Thursday.
While there are some changes that impact only one or two classifications, there is one broad stroke that will be in place for all divisions. It’s the ratings criteria as the coaches poll has been removed. For the 2022-23 season, teams will be seeded back on a system that includes only RPI and MaxPreps rankings and the polls will be weighted equally.
The regular season will end on February 18th for all divisions with the state tournaments set for March 9-11th.
Below we breakdown the playoff format in each classification.
CLASS 1A
District tournaments will be held in this classification and seeding for those tournaments will be based on the CHSAA criteria involving RPI and MaxPreps. Those numbers will be updated through districts so fresh numbers can be used to seed regionals.
The eight district winners automatically qualify for regionals and will host the event if they finish in the top 16 of the CHSAA seeding index. The remaining 24 qualifiers to the expanded 32-team regional bracket will then be selected based on the CHSAA seeding index after the district tournaments conclude.
District champs are seeded one through eight based on the seeding criteria and if they finish in the top 16 as mentioned. The remaining teams are then true seeded based on the ratings index but could be moved to avoid district matchups in round one. Teams seeded 25-32 could be moved for geography and travel purposes as well.
One more change is that the bracket WILL NOT be reseeded after regionals. Once the 32-team pairings are set, the tournament will be played out from start to finish with no movement or changes. The eight district winners advance to the state tournament and the division will have a consolation bracket there.
CLASS 2A
The format is the same as in Class 1A but with one exception concerning district tournaments. The CHSAA seeding criteria will be used to seed teams for districts unless a district unanimously agrees to seed by another method. This exception is in place for Class 2A only.
CLASS 3A
The format for the division is identical to Class 1A as well with the exception coming at the state tournament level. This division will not play a consolation bracket as teams that fall short in the state quarterfinals see an end to their season. Third place games will be conducted for teams that lose in the state semifinals.
CLASS 4A-5A-6A
We group these three divisions together because the format for each postseason is exactly the same. 32 teams qualify for the state tournament and it’s a single elimination bracket from start to finish with no consolation bracket at any point.
League champions earn automatic bids if they win the conference title outright. And leagues must have at least five members to earn an automatic berth. Only one outright champion is declared in leagues that involve teams from more than one classification.
Remaining playoff teams are determined by the CHSAA seeding index. League champions do not receive an advantage in bracket placement as teams ranked 1-24 in the seeding index will be true seeded with moves made to prevent league matchups in round one. Teams seeded 25-32 could be moved for travel considerations.
Higher seeds will host the first two rounds of each game. Neutral courts will be used for the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship games.
