The following is updated information regarding the MPSSAA girl's basketball state tournament. As some may be aware, the UMBC women's basketball team has won the America East Conference regular season. Per conference regulations, the remaining highest seed, following the semifinal round of the conference tournament, will host the championship game. This year, that game takes place on March 12 at 7:00 p.m. In addition, the gym must be closed on Friday at 1 p.m. for practices and set ups, leaving the MPSSAA with a dilemma on where and when to host the semifinal games slated for Friday and the Championship games for Saturday.
After careful consideration and discussion, a contingency schedule has been formulated. Please note that all possibilities, including alternative dates and venues, were discussed. It appears that the best solution is to work around the college tournament and continue to play the games at UMBC. This reasoning is based on:
· The size and popularity of the tournament.
· Maintaining tradition of playing at UMBC.
· Providing the opportunity of playing at a Division-I facility.
· Affecting the least disruption to scheduled activities.
At this point in time, the MPSSAA girl's basketball tournament will follow the current state tournament bulletin timeline. However, if on March 6 the UMBC women's basketball team wins their conference semifinal game, the following modified timeline will be used to host the MPSSAA girl's basketball tournament at UMBC. Please refer to mpssaa.org the morning of Monday, March 7 for definitive plans.
Alternative Girl's Basketball State Tournament Timeline
Wednesday, March 9 (State Semifinals)
(Subject to change based on travel of participating schools)
Class 1A
2v3 3:00 p.m.
1v4 5:00 p.m.
Class 2A
1v4 7:00 p.m.
2v3 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 10 (State Semifinals)
Class 4A
2v3 3:00 p.m.
1v4 5:00 p.m.
Class 3A
2v3 7:00 p.m.
1v4 9:00 p.m.
Monday, March 14 (State Finals)
Class 1A 5:30 p.m.
Class 3A 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15 (State Finals)
Class 2A 5:30 p.m.
Class 4A 7:30 p.m.