Montana High School Sports Class AA schools to forgo divisional tournaments in basketball, softball, and volleyball

A major change is coming to the Class AA postseason for three sports in Montana. Class AA schools have approved a proposal to eliminate divisional tournaments for boys and girls basketball, softball, and volleyball. This decision comes at a time when major sports tournaments are expanding, but in high school athletics, the financial benefits are not the same. The measure was passed with overwhelming support and is aimed at cutting costs for schools facing budget constraints. Starting this fall, each sport will have 12 teams advance to the postseason, with the top two teams receiving a bye. The #3 and #6 seeds and #4 and #5 seeds will play each other in a round of play-in games. The decision to eliminate divisional tournaments is expected to save schools a significant amount of money in travel and lodging expenses. These cuts are necessary due to the failure of mill levies to fund school districts, leading to proactive budget cuts in Class AA. While some may see this as a step backwards, administrators believe it is a necessary move to ensure financial stability for schools. The hope is that by making these cuts now, they can prevent more drastic measures such as eliminating programs in the future. While the decision may be difficult for coaches and players who value the tradition of divisional tournaments, it is seen as a necessary step to ensure the long-term viability of high school sports in Montana.

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