A brand-new era begins for state high school basketball tournaments this week.
For decades, the Kansas State High School Basketball Association has had different classes at different host sites. Emporia has hosted most different classes at some point over the last 20 years as a result of that format.
This year, however, has the semifinal and and final rounds at different sites like Emporia for Class 1A Division 2 and Class 2A — and quarterfinals based on distance from the host site as opposed to class. Tournament Director Amanda Gutierrez says this should mean for an exciting week for fans.
When it comes to planning, there had been a fair amount of uncertainty for the quarterfinal rounds until the brackets were set.
Gutierrez expects another solid positive impact when it comes to Emporia’s hospitality business sector. Part of that involves city Transient Guest Tax funding after some prodding from Transient Guest Tax Advisory Committee Chair Lucas Moody and collaborative work with Visit Emporia and Emporia Main Street. For the first time, the Emporia Recreation Commission is handing out special dining, shopping and/or entertainment vouchers to participating teams.
As far as the Emporia schedule is concerned:
*Quarterfinal play Tuesday involves the Burlington-Heritage Christian Academy boys at noon, Axtell and Hutchinson Central Christian boys at 2 pm and Lebo and Victoria boys at 4 pm, followed by the Hayden-Andale girls at 6 pm and Topeka West-Piper boys at 8 pm
*Quarterfinals Wednesday will have the Silver Lake-Hesston girls at 6 pm, followed by the Osage City-Girard girls at 8 pm
*Semifinals Thursday will be at 2 and 4 pm for the Class 2A girls, followed by 6 and 8 pm for the Class 1A Division 2 boys
*Semifinals Friday will be at 1:30 and 3:30 pm for Class 1A Division 2 girls, followed by 5:30 and 7:30 pm for the Class 2A boys. There will be a 2A girls consolation game at 10:30 and a 1A boys consolation game at noon.
*Saturday’s schedule begins at 9:30 am with third-place games. Championship games begin at 12:30 pm
More information is available at kshsaa.org.
