TOPEKA -Due to a potential conflict with a potential to host an NCAA II regional tournament, the Kansas State High School Activities Association has announced that next month’s 1A-Division II state basketball tournament is being moved from Hays to Dodge City. The tournament will now be played at United Wireless Arena due a possible conflict at Gross Coliseum should the Fort Hays State women’s team receive a bid to host the NCAA II Central Regional.
In the past, KSHSAA has altered the start times of the state tournament to accommodate the potential hosting of a men’s NCAA regional. However the women’s tournament starts on Friday, March 13 and run through Monday, March 16 creating conflicts with the semifinal round as well as the consolation and championship games.
“We had looked at the possibility of playing the last two days of the high school tournament at Hays High” said FHSU athletic director Curtis Hammeke. “The solution is to have that tournament move to Dodge City right now and they will be able to maintain their format and it also will allow us theopportinty to suppert out women’s success.”
KSHSAA News Release
TOPEKA, Kan. – As postseason basketball approaches, the KSHSAA and Fort Hays State University have mutually agreed to relocate this year’s Class 1A Division II state basketball tournament from FHSU to the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The state tournament dates remain as scheduled March 11 – 14, 2015.
The Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team has positioned itself to potentially host an NCAA regional tournament March 13, 14 and 16, which would significantly conflict with the state high school tournament. By mutual agreement of FHSU and the KSHSAA, the state tournament will be hosted in Dodge City by the United Wireless Arena and the Dodge City Sports Commission.
“Whether or not Fort Hays State succeeds in winning the right to host an NCAA regional, the state tournament will remain in Dodge City this year,” said KSHSAA Executive Director, Gary Musselman. “The logistics and lead time in staging a successful state tournament necessitate a decision which is in the best interest of Fort Hays State University and the member schools of the KSHSAA, be made now. Better to relocate our tournament than move to a secondary site gym for the semi-finals and finals of our state tournament on Friday and Saturday,” said Musselman.
The Dodge City Sports Commission will be working to provide a positive experience for all participants. The 3,600 seat capacity United Wireless Arena is home to the Dodge City Law arena football team and recently hosted the 72nd annual Dodge City Tournament of Champions featuring high school basketball teams from across the state. United Wireless Arena also hosts the SPAA-Iroquois league basketball tournament.
The schedule will be as follows:
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Girls Quarterfinal games at 3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, & 8:15 pm
Thursday, March 12, 2015 Boys Quarterfinal games at 3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:15 pm
Friday, March 13, 2015 Semifinal games
Girls at 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Boys at 4:45 pm and 8:15 pm
Saturday, March 14, 2015 Consolation and State Championship games
12:00 p.m. – 3rd Place Girls Game
2:00 p.m. – 3rd Place Boys Game
4:00 p.m. – Girls Championship Game
6:15 p.m. – Boys Championship Game