A Better Solution for the WIAA Basketball State Tournament

The State Tournament for Basketball in Washington needs to be reorganized immediately. For years, the WIAA has placed state tournament qualifiers in a semi-blind draw to determine match-ups, then the teams play out a double-elimination tournament (for all but the champions and runners-up) to determine placing in state. Three years ago, 16 teams per division went to state using this formula, making an exciting, though confusing four day experience. Due to low attendance and budget restraints, the WIAA instituted a “regional” round for the top 16 teams. Following “regionals”, they invited the top 8 teams to state for three days. They combine two divisions at each venue, and alternate who plays the early and the late games. These venues hold both boys and girls games simultaneously, thus adding to the utter chaos that is the WIAA state Championships. However, the boys 4A draw is the latest of many examples that shows the draw is unfair to kids, and anti-productive to the event’s goals of high attendance and increased interest. Now is the time to eliminate the blind draw in order to create a better overall experience for our student-athletes, while generating interest back to one of the greatest forms of athletic entertainment that our state has to offer. It is time to throw tradition aside and do what is obvious. Reorganize the state tournament in a way that includes more student-athletes, increases revenue for the WIAA, and showcases the best teams in the most important games.

The simple act of seeding the tournament can single-handedly increase interest and revenue for the WIAA. Thanks to the NCAA tournament, sports fans are crazed for upsets and drama. The NCAA has created a formula that is begging to be followed. Regardless of their knowledge of high school basketball, people will be at the Tacoma Dome on the first day of the tournament hoping to catch a glimpse of a first round upset. Can a #16 beat a #1 seed? Will the #12 beat the #5? These questions, combined with the passion that comes in playing to stay alive for a state championship will make for the highest quality of basketball. Seeded tournaments are instant drama. The WIAA could bring in pre-selected athletic directors from each conference to seed the teams, and set up an enthralling March Madness. Instead of asking the #3 team in the state to play the #1 team in the state in the first round like they did in 2013, the #3 and #1 will have to survive and advance to be given a chance to play each other in the finals. It is easy to argue “to be the best one must beat the best”. That comment will not be disagreed with. However, nobody wants to see that game in the first round. In 2013, #1 played #3 at 10:30 in the morning on a Thursday. A great matchup with barely a crowd. It’s an injustice to basketball players and fans across the state. If the NCAA conducted a “blind draw”, the tournament would not be what it is today. Instead, by seeding the tournament, the WIAA could produce their own “selection show” where they present the seeds and possible locations (if not in Tacoma) live on their website. Coaches, players, and fans would be tuned in to see the pairings.  This show is a guaranteed sponsorship opportunity. Pairings may be controversial, and story lines will emerge. Another idea is to use the Score Czar, who uses raw data to compile rankings of teams. In Arizona, they use the MaxPreps Power Point system, which includes who each team played, and who they beat. Any of these systems could generate more excitement than the current one and will get people in the state of Washington talking about, and anticipating high school basketball.

Here is a little background for credibility’s sake. I am not new to the WIAA draw. I was involved in one when I was at Summit K-12 in 2009, and though we got a decent draw, a seeded tournament would have been much more exciting. When I was an assistant at Snohomish, we were ranked #3 in the state and lost a close first round game to #2 Decatur. Obviously, we would have preferred to play them in the semi-finals instead. Once we lost the first one, fans ceased to arrive. Only families were in the stands to see us take 5^th. I also have coached in Arizona, where they have a 24-team seeded single-elimination tournament. Our team always got a first round bye, and we advanced to the finals both years, winning a ring in 2011. There was a buzz around the seedings, and when lower seeded teams pulled upsets, it was discussed across the state. Plus, there were many more fans in the seats. While the premise of double-elimination is a nice concept, once the chance at a championship is gone, fans cease to arrive. Therefore, it is a waste of money for the WIAA. Instead, use that money to include more teams in the state tournament. This will create lasting memories for more student athletes across the state. The AIA even does 2^nd round games in large domes. They have the revenue to do so. The WIAA could follow in their footsteps. In Arizona, there is much more conversation about basketball and more attention to the state tournaments as well. It’s covered more in depth, and the finals games are televised through the AIA website. The irony is, Arizona basketball is a lesser product than basketball in Washington. Yet it is not being showcased here in the Pacific Northwest. This year, Greg Lee from a Spokane newspaper (I think it's the Spokesman), came up with the idea of having the consolation games in high school gyms, where one would have to win their way back to the dome on Saturday. That seems like a viable and cost-effective strategy that would allow the WIAA to keep the double-elimination format. 

Finally, imagine if the WIAA televised the first day of their tournament through their website. Does anyone believe local sponsors won’t be lining up to become a part of that? I don’t. Also, they could charge per view like occurs in other states. People will pay to watch, especially those that cannot take the time to get to the Tacoma Dome. 

Author’s note: Everyone wants to be a part of March Madness, all the WIAA needs to do is provide the obvious way to make it happen. Questions? Concerns? Comments or further ideas? Please contact me at adamdesautels@gmail.com to discuss. Most importantly, contact the WIAA today and ask them to seed the tournament from now on. Thanks for reading.