We all know about Ohio's Harbin points system, but how does Indiana handle its playoff qualifying? There are plenty of Indiana teams that are in fairly close proximity to Kentucky programs... how willing are Indiana programs to play Kentucky schools?

Doesn't everyone make it in Indiana?

If that is the case, perhaps Highlands can look to Indiana for some games?

Yes everyone makes it.

Doesn't everyone make it in Indiana?

 

I think so.

Everyone makes the playoffs, and sectional pairings are determined by blind draw. Theoretically, you could have the best two teams in the state meet in a first-round game instead of sectional final, at the very least.

They play 9 regular season games, every team makes the playoff so that gives all teams 10 games.

We all know about Ohio's Harbin points system' date=' but how does Indiana handle its playoff qualifying? There are plenty of Indiana teams that are in fairly close proximity to Kentucky programs... how willing are Indiana programs to play Kentucky schools?[/quote']

 

Indiana high schools can play out of state teams only if the out of state schools are located no more than 50 miles from an Indiana border. I find that weird. A school in Jeffersonville, for instance, can't play Boyle Co, but could play am NKY school.

Indiana high schools can play out of state teams only if the out of state schools are located no more than 50 miles from an Indiana border. I find that weird. A school in Jeffersonville, for instance, can't play Boyle Co, but could play am NKY school.

 

Boyle beat Indianapolis Arsenal Tech 38-10 last year? Game was at Boyle I believe too.

Indiana high schools can play out of state teams only if the out of state schools are located no more than 50 miles from an Indiana border. I find that weird. A school in Jeffersonville, for instance, can't play Boyle Co, but could play am NKY school.

Paducah Tilghman played Reitz last year and Mayfield played Evansville North a few years ago I believe.

Everyone makes the playoffs, and sectional pairings are determined by blind draw. Theoretically, you could have the best two teams in the state meet in a first-round game instead of sectional final, at the very least.

I've never understood why they do it this way. Regular season means nothing.

Yes, the first sectional game is the 10th game of the season. Yes, everyone gets in. We have a lot of conferences in IN. A team plays 6 to 7 conference games and fills their schedule with other teams. Some of the conferences are tougher than the tourney because they are so equal. Cathedral (not in aconference) schedules up in class regular season and then wins state after several losses some years (probably this). Our largest class domination is public, not private. Next year we begin having a qualifier to move up a class if you win to much and a super class with some of the really big schools. I have no idea what will happen with that. I believe the rule now is you can travel to contiguous states, but not stay overnight. We have the advantage of traveling easy in Indiana with all the Interstates and a small state. I like our system for us.

The Indiana system is interesting and I do strongly believe it could be used in Kentucky. Except....to do it right you would need to go back to 4 classes...and I have been told that is a non-starter.

 

The Indiana system is 5 classes with 8 Sections in each class with 7 or 8 teams in each Section. I believe they do random draw for the Section tournaments. Then those Sectional Champions compete in what is considered a separate tournament - the State Tournament. As mentioned all teams are in the playoffs.

 

An interesting structure occurs if Kentucky were to do this structure. Most 'Sections' would have 7 teams. I believe only 2 to 4 of the 32 sections would be 8 team sections. Meaning 28-30 sections would be 7 team sections.

 

Now, if you do a seeded bracket with 7 teams it could be structured to give the 'regular season' section champion a bye the first week. Then play seeds 6 and 7 against each other in week 1 with the winner of that game going on to face Seed 1 in week 2. This would give lower tier programs a chance to win a playoff game and build for the future. It would also give the 'regular season section champion' and easy road to the sectional championship game. The other seeds would be paired 2 vs. 5 and 3 vs. 4 in week one. Then the winners of those games play week 2. This bracket would be very competitive in weeks 1 and 2. Bottom line - you would have competitive games in week 1 for the 7 team sections and get rid of blowout weekend.

 

I know. Probably not going to happen. But there are some strengths of this type structure.

Everyone makes the playoffs, and sectional pairings are determined by blind draw. Theoretically, you could have the best two teams in the state meet in a first-round game instead of sectional final, at the very least.

 

That happened to East Central...#4 team in the state played the #1 in the first round.