PARKERSBURG, WV โ Big changes are coming to West Virginia's high school basketball postseason.
The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission board on Thursday approved changes to the qualifying rounds for the boys and girls basketball playoffs starting with the 2024-25 season. A new format will be introduced that combines the two existing sections of each region to host regional tournaments. These tournaments culminate in his two finals at each region, with the two champions advancing to the state tournament in Charleston.
Seeds for each region will be determined by a vote of coaches.
Depending on the number of schools in the region, each school may receive a bye in the first round, but the following criteria will be used to determine voting seeding: (1) Competitive record; (2) Game; (3) Number of wins, (4) Coin toss.
The host school will be the top seeded school for each match within the regional tournament.
After regional play, teams that qualify for the state tournament will continue to be reseeded using the current coaches voting format.
Previously, each region was divided into two sections, with the section winner receiving home court advantage in regional play. The runner-up in each section competed against the section winner from the opposing section within the same region, with the winners of both regional matches qualifying for the state tournament.
In the new format, teams are eliminated if they lose.
The new format received a unanimous recommendation from the Boys and Girls Basketball Coaches Advisory Committee prior to approval by the WVSSAC Board of Directors.
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Basketball isn't the only sport with changes approved by the WVSSAC Board of Directors on Thursday, with changes also made to the high school football grading system that will go into effect next season.
Schools will now earn one bonus point for a win, regardless of the opponent's classification. Previously, bonus points were only awarded for wins of the same class or higher.
The strength of the schedule element to the system remains the same, but with the introduction of four classes to soccer starting in the 2024 season, the following points system will be utilized: Class AAAA teams will receive 15 points, Class AAA teams will receive 12 points, and Class AAA teams will receive 12 points. AA for 9 points, Class A for 6 points.
Additionally, competition rules have been added that will apply from the next season. The WVSSAC Board of Directors approved changes to the shortened game rules and adjusted them to take effect early in the game. The new rule goes into effect if one team leads by 42 points or more in the third quarter, and the lead in the fourth quarter remains 35 points.