Followers of ROPSSAA girls basketball are still buzzing over the apparent clerical error that lead to incorrect match ups in the second round of the tier 1 playoffs.
For those not familiar with the format, the top 2 teams in each of the 6 divisions advanced to the playoffs. The coaches seeded the six division winners 1-6 and the six 2nd place teams 7-12. After that the four top seeds all received a bye to the quarter-finals while the other 8 teams played a preliminary round with the expected match-ups: 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, and so on.
The problem was in the second round. Since ROPSSAA doesn't re-seed after each round, the match-ups were predetermined. Winner of game A would play #1, B vs #2, C vs #3, and D vs #4. The problem is that it looks like who ever created the playoff schedule didn't pay attention to the seeds of the A-D matches. Match A was 5 vs 12 so, assuming no upset, the #1 seed would play the #5 seed. Following the same expectation, that would mean 2 vs 6, 3 vs. 7, and 4 vs. 8. Anyone who follows sports knows that this is wrong. The highest seed should not be potentially matched up against the highest-seeded winner from the previous round and the #4 seed should not be potentially matched up against the lowest-seeded winner from the previous round.
Apparently the problem wasn't caught until early this week. It's not exactly sure who caught it first; one of the number of coaches who e-mailed ROPSSAA this week, this poster on HooptownGTA, or the ROPSSAA administrators themselves. Regardless, the word came down that, while it was an error, it was too late to fix. Buses had been booked and game times confirmed. Some coaches accepted this with a shrug while others were apparently incredulous that the error would be allowed to stand.
In ROPSSAA's defence, things have not been easy since their most experienced administrator took a medical leave last year. It's meant a bigger workload for everyone else and time spent training new blood. Regardless, it was a major oversight and it calls into question the fairness of the playoffs. It should also be noted that three of the four visiting teams were from the Catholic Board so they were likely using their own school buses instead of a charter. Switching to the correct match-ups would not have been as difficult for them.
You can be sure every playoff schedule will be triple checked before being published from now on.
1 comment:
"You can be sure every playoff schedule will be triple checked before being published from now on."
Yet now there is a firestorm already in the boys' basketball playoff structure...the initial schedule sent out, rescinded 24 hours later and now a suggested playoff structure that goes against the playing regulations.
I haven't met the new guy at ROPSSAA who has been given the basketball portfolio but he's subbing for the best convenor in the province...surely someone could be helping him out.
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