Changes coming to State Basketball in Kansas: Including Colby no longer hosting

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) is making major changes to the state basketball tournament format beginning in 2026—and Assistant Executive Director Kyle Doperalski recently joined The Morning Blitz to explain why. Doperalski discussed how the push for a new format started with feedback from member schools.

“A couple years ago, our Executive Director Bill Faflick polled schools across the state. One of the big questions was whether classes should be combined at the state basketball tournament,” said Doperalski. “Every class—from 1A to 6A—supported it. That’s what really got the conversation going.”

Starting in 2026, the semifinals and finals for several classes will be held at the same venues. That includes combining 3A and 4A in Hutchinson, 2A and 1A Division II in Emporia, and 5A and 6A in Wichita. The idea mirrors what KSHSAA has already implemented in football and soccer—centralized championship events to create stronger atmospheres.

“The hope is that we get the type of energy and excitement seen in places like Nebraska, where state title games happen under one roof. It's great for teams, communities, and the overall experience,” Doperalski said.

One major change is the separation of quarterfinal games from the traditional state tournament format. These games will now be played earlier in the week—on Tuesday and Wednesday—at neutral sites across the state.

“We were looking at potentially having hosts like Hutchinson run eight games per day for four straight days. That’s just not sustainable with their staffing and facility needs,” Doperalski explained. “Spreading things out with earlier quarterfinals at different sites solves that issue.”

Northwest Kansas fans may be disappointed to learn that Colby will not host a state tournament site for at least the next two years. Doperalski said the decision was based on logistics—not performance.

“Colby did an amazing job hosting. The people there—James, Heather, Jeremy, the city—were incredible. But when you go from seven sites down to four, it's just a math issue,” he said. “Geography also played a role. Some eastern Kansas schools would face 5+ hour road trips for a mid-week game in Colby.”

Additionally, Colby High School’s gym, while high-quality, is considered a home court, which complicates the goal of neutral-site games. Doperalski acknowledged the frustration from schools in northwest Kansas, noting there currently isn’t a suitable neutral college venue in the region that meets KSHSAA’s needs.

“We explored it. Places like Fort Hays State have had conflicts during state tournament week with their own playoffs,” he said. “And our schools have made it clear—they want these games played in college-level venues, not high schools, if possible.”

Doperalski also gave an update on shot clock implementation across Kansas high school basketball. Following a one-year pilot program, the KSHSAA board has approved a phased rollout:

• 2025 Season: Required for 4A, 5A, and 6A schools at all home games

• 2026 Season: Expands to include 2A and 3A schools

• 2027 Season: Includes 1A schools

He says feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Out of more than 3,000 reported games with shot clocks last year, 93% had zero or one stoppage. That shows it’s working and our schools can handle it,” Doperalski said.