Post-Season Changes, How and Why

None of the Northwest Conference schools changed classifications over the summer, so we still have four in the 3A classification, seven in 2A, and five in 1A. 

It has always been extremely difficult to get through the 2A District Tournament, with only two allocations to state. Now, at least, a third team will have a chance to advance to Yakima.

First, a little history, with a math minor.

The District RPI began in 2017 to try to fit teams together by ranking from two different conferences.  2A teams in the Wesco Conference play a league schedule against all 3A teams, while NWC 2A teams play a mix of 1A, 2A, and 3A teams.

The formula has been tweaked over the years, and I think it has worked very well.  The complaint from the NWC side is that the Wesco teams get the benefit of a higher RPI due to their extra games against 3A teams.  The formula includes a slightly higher number for wins over 3A teams, versus 2A and 1A teams.  The Wesco side would say that it’s “easier” to beat 2A and 1A teams, so you will benefit with more wins to begin with.

I’ve always called it a draw.

In past years, the District Tournament seeding used to line up exactly with the RPI standings.  Currently, all nine 2A teams in every team sport make the district tournament.  In 3A, 12 of the 15 teams make the District Tournament.  The NWC gets three bids, as long as they finish in the top 12 in RPI.

However, there is now a committee that keeps eyes on the teams and the RPI in both 2A and 3A for all sports.  Before seeding teams into their respective tournaments, the committee gathers information that the RPI does not consider.  They check with other sources such as the State RPI, games outside the league, and even a poll of league coaches. 

For example, going into last year’s girls District Basketball Tournament, Lynden and Archbishop Murphy finished with undefeated league records, with the Wildcats holding a slightly higher RPI.  The committee correctly put the Lions into the #1 seed, based on their overall undefeated season.  They also had the fact that Lynden beat Lynden Christian, who beat Archbishop Murphy.  Plus, the general consensus that the Lions were one of the best teams in the state in any classification.

So, once the regular season is complete, and qualifying teams are seeded into their respective district tournaments, this is where you need to be aware of a change in the 2A classification:

The third place team from the District 1 tournament will play the third place team from the District 5 tournament. That winner will advance to state.

Here is how that came about:

State Tournament allocations are based on how many teams are in your district, as a percentage of the entire state.

There are six districts in the state of Washington, with 63 schools in 2A.  In a nutshell, if you have 20 of those 63 schools in your district, you would get 31.7% of the allocations (20/63=31.7%).  If there are 16 teams in the state tournament, you would get 31.7% of the allocations (16*31.7%=4.96).  That would round up to 5 allocations for that district.

However, the math isn’t always that precise.

In 2A, District 3, in and around the Tacoma/Bremerton area has the most teams, so they get the most allocations, which is currently four.  Next is the Southwest District 4, which has been bouncing from three to four every other year.    

After that, it’s a fight for allocations.  Districts 1, 2 (Seattle area) and 5, (Yakima area) are all very close in the number of teams in each district.  Their allocation percentage is just a fraction apart, so they have the following plan in place that started this past fall with volleyball and girls’ soccer.

Districts 1, 2, and 5 are in this rotation, but only Districts 1 and 5 are involved this school year.  District 2 will get two allocations in each sport.

Districts 1 and 5 each have district tournaments to determine the top three teams.  But this year, in every sport, the 3^rd place team from District 1 will play the 3^rd place team from District 5, and that winner will advance to state.  So, the winner’s district will end up with three teams to state, while loser’s district will advance their top two to state.

The site for these games was determined by coin flip at the start of the school year.  In girls’ soccer, Lynden was the 3^rd place team from District 1, and they traveled to play Selah, the 3^rd place team in District 5.  That was played in Selah.  Selah won, and advanced to state, while Lynden was eliminated.

In volleyball, Archbishop Murphy was the 3^rd place team from the District 1 tournament, and they hosted Prosser, the 3^rd place team from District 5.  Archbishop Murphy won and advanced to state, while Prosser was eliminated.

Coming up in February, the boys 3^rd place team from District 1 will travel to the site of the 3^rd place team from District 5, while the girls 3^rd place team will host the same game.

The same format will be in place for spring sports.  Next year, District 2 will be in the same mix with either District 1 or District 5, and the one that does not participate will have two to state.

30-second timeout.  Take a breath.

There are many ideas floating around out there to make this a more genuine representation.  The allocations system, as it is now, does not care which district may be the strongest, or the deepest with state caliber teams.  The largest district may also be the weakest, while the smallest may be the deepest.  Adding to allocations the way football has for their “week 10” matchups is just one idea out there, but every idea has its drawbacks.  The WIAA to has stuck steadfast to the allocation rules over the years, so don’t expect any drastic changes to other sports any time soon.    

Right now, the 2A boy’s classification is as balanced as I have ever seen it.  The number of talented teams in Southwest District 4, and the CWAC in District 5 in recent years, has really added to the depth of the state tournament.  Their third and fourth place teams are really good.  This “3^rd place game between District 1 and District 5 could be played between real championship contenders.

For many years, state-quality teams have been left behind, especially in the 2A classification.  It’s been even tighter in the last two seasons as District 1 has been allocated only two teams to state.  That’s because we have lost 2A teams to other districts and classification changes.

As the season progresses, we will be sure to keep two eyes on the other districts.  Especially District 5, where the collision with the 2A clash with the CWAC will happen.

~ Ted House