SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
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TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State High School Activities Association Executive Board is set to meet Wednesday and Thursday in Topeka, where members will consider key changes to postseason formats and game rules across multiple sports — with particular focus on the future structure of the state basketball tournament and the implementation of a shot clock.
A significant item on the agenda is a proposed overhaul of the state basketball format. Under the plan, quarterfinal games would be played at neutral sites on Tuesday or Wednesday of championship week, followed by semifinal matchups on Friday and state title games on Saturday. The semifinals and finals would be hosted at traditional, more prestigious state venues. The new model would group two classifications at each of three final four sites, while one class would remain solo. Consolation games would take place either Friday or Saturday morning. The KSHSAA staff developed the proposal in response to member school feedback seeking a more unified and prestigious state tournament experience.
Also up for discussion is the future use of a shot clock in high school basketball. Following a year of experimental use and survey data collection, KSHSAA staff are recommending a phased rollout of mandatory shot clocks during postseason play. The proposal includes:
- Requiring a shot clock for all postseason games in Classes 5A and 6A starting in 2026,
- Extending the requirement to Classes 3A and 4A by 2027,
- Including Classes 1A and 2A by 2028,
- And implementing shot clocks in all in-state regular season games by the 2027-28 school year.
Additional agenda items include proposed changes to the state volleyball format — separating pool play for two classifications across two days with a final four bracket on Saturday — and preliminary discussions on game-ending procedures for baseball and softball, which could result in formal proposals later this year.
The Executive Board may take action on several of the proposals during this week’s meetings.