South Dakota's state basketball tournaments aren't set up for the convenience of fans.
Each tournament is hosted separately, meaning the three girls' tournaments -- for Class AA, Class A and Class B -- are held in three towns on the same weekend.
The following week, all three boys' tournaments are held. All three are played in separate cities.
This year, for instance, the state Class AA girls' tournament was in Brookings. The following weekend, the Class AA boys' tournament tipped off in Rapid City.
Again, not too convenient for those who are interested in attending both events.
ADVERTISEMENT
A proposal before the South Dakota High School Activities Association may add convenience to the busy March sports schedule. The idea is to hold the Class AA girls' and boys' tournaments in the same city at the same time. The SDHSAA board this week had the first reading of the plan and likely will officially consider the idea later this year.
If approved, it means the 2015-16 Class AA boys' and girls' tournaments will be held in Sioux Falls the same weekend. The following year, the tournaments would be held at the same time in Rapid City.
It's a good idea, and should please most fans. We know of many people who traveled to both Brookings and Rapid City this spring to see the Mitchell High School teams. While we didn't hear complaints about the situation, we don't see many drawbacks to this new proposal, either.
Since Mitchell doesn't host state tournaments, it should only have a positive effect on local fans, who can see both tournaments while paying for gasoline, meals and hotel rooms over just one weekend instead of two.
We say give it a whirl and see if it sticks.
