FAIRMONT – The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission has announced changes to the football and basketball playoff formats. SSAC issued two press releases on Thursday detailing the changes.
According to both releases, the board accepted the changes based on the unanimous recommendations of each sport's coaches advisory committee.
In soccer, teams now receive bonus points for wins without taking into account the class of the losing team. Previously, bonus points were awarded if the losing team was in the same class or one class higher, according to the release.
SSAC detailed how the strength of the schedule element of the Soccer Rating System will accommodate the addition of Class AAAA. The team will earn 15 points if he wins against an AAAA school, 12 points for AAA, 9 points for AA, and 6 points for A.
The SSAC also approved changes to the match shortening rules. This rule could go into effect as early as the third quarter if a team leads by 42 points or more. Previously, this rule only applied in the fourth quarter if the team led by 35 points or more.
In basketball, the changes are far more dramatic than in soccer. The SSAC decided to eliminate the section tournament and instead seed teams by region and hold an expanded regional tournament. All classes for men's and women's basketball are eligible.
Seeds for the regional tournament will be determined by a vote of coaches in each region. The team with the highest seed will be the host school.
If the votes are tied, there are four tiebreakers to determine seeding: (1) head-to-head, (2) total wins at division or above, (3) total wins, and (4) coin toss.
Finally, there are two finals in each region and the winners of those games advance to the state tournament.
Fairmont Senior boys basketball head coach David Retton said the change in tournament format won't change much other than make basketball purists happier.
“Typically, the better team will end up going to Charleston, regardless of the format,” Retton said in a text message. “Upsets happen regardless of the tournament format. Basketball purists will like this change because they can get to Charleston even with a loss. Our goal is the same: to earn the number one seed.” ”
All rule changes are effective starting with the 2024-25 school year.
Contact Colin C. Rhodes at 304-367-2548.
