It is a gamble, but two chances to go to the state tournament are better than one sure thing.
That’s the philosophy of the athletic directors of the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League who have worked out a deal with the 4A KingCo Conference for a state preliminary round playoff in most of the team sports this school year.
The top two teams from the 4A GSHL after district tournament play will have one-game playoffs against KingCo teams, with the winners advancing to the state tournament. This format will be used in soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball.
This agreement does not include football, which has a separate deal, allowing for the top three teams from the 4A GSHL to play in Week 10 preliminary round playoffs.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association allocated one state tournament berth to the seven-team 4A GSHL this school year. The 4A GSHL, which comprises all of the team in the WIAA’s District 4, opted to find another athletic district in an effort to get more teams and more athletes to the state tournaments. The nine-team 4A KingCo consists of all the 4A programs in District 2.
The GSHL will give up its one guaranteed spot to state, but get two teams the opportunity to go to state using this format:
The No. 1 seed from the GSHL will host the No. 3 seed from the KingCo.
The No. 2 seed from the GSHL will travel to the No. 2 seed from the KingCo.
Winners go to state, losers are eliminated.
The No. 1 from the KingCo goes directly to state. District 2 received two berths to state from the WIAA.
This is not the first time the two leagues have teamed up for a postseason format. Similar agreements were in place for four school years — from 2006-07 through 2009-10 with KingCo.
The 4A GSHL returned to compete with WIAA’s District 3 teams for state berths from 2010-11 through 2013-14.
A year ago, the 4A GSHL had two berths to state. When athletic directors did not reach an agreement with District 3 for postseason play, the 4A GSHL stood pat and sent two teams directly to state. But with only one allotment this school year, the ADs wanted to give more athletes the chance to get to state.
“Given the landscape, we’re pleased with what we were able to come up with,” said Cale Piland, the AD for Evergreen Public Schools who negotiated the agreement with District 2.
The ADs, he said, also appreciate the cost savings with District 2. In the past, when the 4A GSHL teamed up with District 3, teams played in a bi-district tournament, which included several travel days to the Puget Sound region. This agreement with KingCo calls for just the one playoff contest for each qualifying team.
There are various plans for the “individual” sports this school year.
Cross country and track and field athletes are expected to partner with District 3, with the top three teams in cross country (as well as a number of individuals) and top three athletes in track and field advancing to the bi-district meets.
The top-two tennis players/doubles teams from the 4A GSHL will face athletes from the KingCo in one-match playoffs.
The top six 4A GSHL golfers will advance directly to state, with the next nine golfers going to bi-district with KingCo golfers for another shot at qualifying for state.
Swimming remains on its own, with the district champion going directly to state as well as any other swimmers with state qualifying times.
Wrestling, like football, has its own agreement. The top four per weight class from district will advance to regionals. Camas High School will host the 4A regional this winter.
Bowling and gymnastics have their own systems and are not part of the partnership with District 2.
