Do you remember back to last year when the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League, also known as District 4, was in negotiations with District 3 over their bi-district agreement?
Do you remember how the sides couldn’t agree on a format, so that meant the 4A GSHL would sent two teams directly to state in sports like volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball and softball?
Well, apparently, the WIAA decided that District 4 would play District 3, and they would both have to like it.
That’s what happened in the 2014-15 school year in the sports of girls soccer, girls basketball, boys basketball, and now baseball and boys soccer. In those five sports, teams from the 4A GSHL opened the first round at state against a team from District 3.
When the baseball state tournament opens Saturday with the regionals, Union will travel to Tacoma and face Kentwood, a District 3 team. Skyview will travel to Everett to face South Kitsap, also from District 3.
In the soccer state tournament, Camas will host Tahoma of Covington from District 3 on Wednesday at Doc Harris Stadium. Evergreen will travel to Tacoma to play Bellarmine Prep from District 3 on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
There are two main reasons for the District 3-4 matchups this season. One, the WIAA is trying to limit travel by having teams play opponents from neighboring districts. And two, District 3 receives five to six berths to state, more than any other district in the state.
The WIAA needs to get a little less squeamish about limiting travel in the state tournament. I mean, it’s the STATE tournament. You should expect to play anyone in the state, even if that means traveling to the other side of the state.
Oregon has no qualms about having Pendleton play North Medford, so why should Washington worry about having a Spokane school face one from Tacoma, Everett or Vancouver.
Because it would be nice if teams from District 4 face a team from District 1 or 2 or 5 or 8 in the first round.
Rest of the week
The weather this week is looking pretty good. There is a chance of thunderstorms Monday, which would cause problems. But the rest of the week looks pretty good.
Here are other highlights of the week.
BASEBALL: Speaking of crossing the state, that’s exactly what Columbia River will have to do. The Chieftains will play in the 3A Spokane Regional at Whitworth University when they face Mount Spokane at 10 a.m. Saturday. King’s Way Christian also has a long trip ahead of it. The Knights face Cle Elum in the 1A East Wenatchee Regional at Eastmont High, also at 10 a.m.
SOCCER: In the 2A state tournament, Hockinson will face Kingston at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ridgefield High. Ridgefield will play at Tyee on Tuesday or Wednesday. In 1A, La Center will face Klahowya at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kalama High.
SOFTBALL: The 4A district tournament will be Tuesday-Wednesday at Battle Ground. The 3A bi-district will be Friday and Saturday in Tacoma. The 2A tournament will be Thursday and Friday at Fort Borst Park in Centralia, bookended by the 1A tournament on Wednesday and Saturday at Fort Borst.
TRACK AND FIELD: The 4A district meet is Monday and Tuesday at McKenzie Stadium. The 3A bi-district meet in Friday and Saturday in Sumner. The 2A district meet is Friday at Ridgefield, the same day the 1A district meet is at McKenzie Stadium.
GOLF: The 4A district tournament is Monday and Tuesday at Lewis River. The 3A bi-district state qualifier is Monday at Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton. And the 2A district meet is Monday and Tuesday at Tumwater Valley.
TENNIS: The 4A district tournament is Friday and Saturday at Vancouver Tennis Center. The 3A bi-district tournament is Friday and Saturday at Sprinker Rec Center in Tacoma. The 2A district tournament is Wednesday and Thursday in Tumwater.
