Amanda Knapp
High school basketball is a beloved sport in the USA, with many fans curious about how the system works. Teams are based on the school you attend and are categorized by the number of students, from 1A for small schools to 6A for schools in densely populated areas. The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions to the high school basketball season, with several states delaying or altering the Fall season. Despite these challenges, the sport remains popular across the country, with 38 states planning to begin their seasons in 2020 and 12 states, including California, starting in 2021. The status of high school basketball varies across states, with some starting in August or September, while others like Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, have winter starts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states allowing high school basketball in 2020 | 38 |
| Number of states allowing high school basketball in 2021 | 12 |
| Number of states with no announced start date | 4 |
| Latest scheduled start date | March 12, 2021 (California) |
| States with delayed or altered Fall seasons in 2023 | Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin |
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What You'll Learn
High school basketball start dates vary across states
High school basketball start dates vary across the United States. The NFHS is tracking the status of high school sports as fall seasons approach, and because of the pandemic, several states have delayed the start of the fall sports season or altered the sports seasons.
For example, in 2020, 23 states were scheduled to begin their high school basketball season in November, with 38 states on track to begin their seasons that year. The latest scheduled start date was March 12 for California, while all other states started the season between November and January.
Start dates for other sports also vary across states. For instance, in 2021, Georgia postponed the start of the football season until September 4, while Kentucky's golf season schedule remained unchanged with an August 24 start date. Louisiana's football season began on September 10, while Maine's football and volleyball seasons were still to be determined.
The system for organizing high school basketball teams and leagues also differs by state. Teams are generally based on the school a student attends, which is often determined by where they live. Schools are categorized based on the number of students, with different categories ranging from 1A for small schools to 6A for schools in densely populated areas. Each of these classifications has its own state championships.
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The pandemic delayed the fall sports season in several states
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on sports across the globe, with many events and seasons being delayed or cancelled altogether. In the United States, the pandemic has caused disruptions to high school sports seasons in several states. As of October 23, 2020, numerous state associations had made the decision to delay or alter the fall sports season.
One example is Arizona, which altered the start dates for various sports: golf commenced on August 17, cross-country and swimming and diving on August 24, badminton, fall soccer, and volleyball on August 31, and football on September 7. Similarly, Colorado adjusted its sports schedule, with boys' golf commencing on August 3, boys' tennis on August 10, cross-country on August 12, and football and sideline spirit on September 24. Field hockey, gymnastics, boys' soccer, unified bowling, and girls' volleyball were delayed until March 1.
Connecticut also made changes to its fall sports schedule, with cross-country, field hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, and volleyball all starting on September 21. In Georgia, the high school football season was postponed until September 4, while competitive cheerleading competitions were delayed until November 21. Louisiana took a similar approach, with football commencing on September 10, and cross-country, swimming and diving, and volleyball starting on August 31.
The pandemic has not only delayed seasons but also prompted innovative solutions. For instance, the University of New Mexico's football team played their first two home games at their opponents' sites, while their men's basketball team relocated to Lubbock, Texas, using Lubbock Christian University as their home court. These adjustments were necessary due to legislative bans on sports requiring physical contact in New Mexico and Santa Clara County, California.
The impact of the pandemic on high school sports seasons varies across states, with some experiencing more significant disruptions than others. While some states chose to delay or alter their fall sports seasons, others may have implemented different measures to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
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School teams are based on school size and location
In New York, the school classification system is different, with Class D being the smallest and Class AA being the biggest. This classification is based on the size of the graduating class. Private schools are not rated and cannot play conference games with public schools, but they will play if coaches arrange it.
The size of a school can have an impact on athletics. Smaller schools are designed for students to learn in a more intimate setting and to be a part of the school community. Students at smaller schools may play more than one sport or participate in multiple activities. Additionally, smaller schools may have more limited resources for their sports teams, such as requiring fewer adults to supervise and coach and having lower costs for uniforms and transportation.
On the other hand, larger schools may have more students trying out for their sports teams, leading to greater competition for playing time. Larger schools may also have more resources to dedicate to their sports programs.
While the structure of high school basketball varies across states, the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) tracks the status of high school sports across the country. For example, as of October 23, several states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, and Virginia, had delayed or altered the Fall sports season due to the pandemic.
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States use different classification systems for school sizes
High school basketball is allowed in several states across the US. The NFHS is tracking the status of high school sports as fall seasons approach. Several states have delayed the start of the fall sports season or altered the sports seasons due to the pandemic. For example, Virginia has delayed basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, and other sports until December 7, 2021. Washington has pushed back football until February 17, 2022, and other sports until March 1, 2022.
The high school sports classification system is not without its critics. Some argue that it disadvantages small schools because larger schools have more resources, a wider pool of students, bigger budgets, and better equipment. However, supporters of the classification system say it is necessary to ensure fair competition.
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Coaches arrange non-league games with other schools
The operation of high school basketball in the US differs from state to state. Teams are based on the school you attend, and schools are categorized based on the number of students. Each category will have its own state championship.
When it comes to choosing opponents for the season, coaches typically take on the responsibility of contacting other schools and scheduling games. This is where non-league games come into play. Coaches arrange non-league games with other schools, providing an opportunity for teams to play against different opponents during the season. These non-league games are often arranged between schools from different areas or even different states. For example, a coach from Tulsa, Oklahoma, might call schools in other parts of the state or in other states to set up games.
In some states, like New York, school districts are assigned letter grades based on the size of the graduating class. While private schools are not rated and don't usually play conference games with public schools, coaches can still arrange non-league games between private and public schools. Teams typically play 2-4 non-league games during the season, and these games often occur with the same non-league opponents as coaches tend to have connections with specific schools.
The flexibility of non-league games allows coaches to tailor the team's schedule to their specific needs and goals. For example, a coach might arrange non-league games with stronger or weaker teams to challenge their players or build their confidence. Additionally, non-league games can be scheduled to ensure the team has a consistent number of games throughout the season, filling gaps left by postponed or cancelled league games.
While the responsibility of arranging non-league games falls on the coaches, it's important to note that the decision to participate in these games is usually made in collaboration with the school administration and athletic department. The availability of facilities, travel logistics, and the academic calendar are all factors that come into play when deciding whether to accept a non-league game invitation.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, 38 states were on track to begin their high school basketball seasons. 12 other states and the District of Columbia planned to start in 2021, and four states had yet to announce an official start date.
Twelve states and the District of Columbia planned to start their high school basketball seasons in 2021.
Several states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, had delayed or altered their high school sports seasons due to the pandemic.
High school basketball teams in the US are generally based on the school a student attends, which is typically determined by their place of residence. Schools are categorized based on the number of students, ranging from 1A for small schools to 6A for schools in densely populated areas. Each category has its own state championships. Coaches are responsible for scheduling games with other schools, except for those within the same school system.
