Winter weather disrupts schedule

The UIL girls basketball state championships have been pushed back to March 10-11 after weather complications disrupted the start of the playoffs.

The girls’ event, still set at the Alamodome in San Antonio, was originally scheduled for March 5-6. The boys’ state championships are March 12-13 at the same location.

Winter storms caused power outages across Texas this week, delaying numerous playoff games. The boys’ playoffs are currently in the first round (bi-district), while the girls are in the second round (area).

The UIL adjusted playoff round certification deadlines. The UIL may consider exceptions on a limited case by case basis. Some schools that have experienced delays may be required to play three rounds within one week.

For example, many boys basketball bi-district playoff games will be played Monday with second and third-round games set for Feb. 24-25 and Feb. 26-27, respectively. The UIL says some circumstances may require teams to complete playoff rounds on consecutive days, too.

The UIL announced up to four boys and girls teams can meet at one site to complete multiple rounds. For example, the Merrell Center in Katy is hosting a quadruple header on Saturday feature the Cinco Ranch vs. Cypress Creek girls (1 p.m.), Katy Taylor vs. Bush boys (2:30 p.m.), Tompkins vs. Ridge Point boys (4 p.m.) and Tompkins vs. Houston Memorial girls (5:30 p.m.).

This also puts regional semifinal and regional final rounds played on the same weekend back into play. Teams previously couldn’t complete what is known as the regional tournament within the same weekend at the same site because of COVID-19 protocols.

The girls and boys state tournaments usually includes state semifinals played on the same weekend in San Antonio, too, but those rounds will take place separately because of COVID-19 protocols.