Coaches across District 1 and 2 are rejoicing like Coupeville’s Megan Smith. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Hope burns eternal.
Two days after the Washington Interscholatic Activities Association yanked half of the state basketball tournament allocations reserved for District 1 and 2, a new path has opened up to potentially restore those berths.
Two months ago, when allocations were originally designated, both teams who reached the final of the District 1/2 tourney were assured spots in the 16-team state championships.
Sunday, without prior notice or any public explanation, the WIAA gave away two of those slots — meaning only the winner of next week’s tourney would advance to the big dance.
The District 1/2 tourney features Coupeville, La Conner, Friday Harbor, and Auburn Adventist.
Tuesday, the District Directors for District 1 (Don Beazizo), District 2 (Pat McCarthy), District 4 (Tim Graham and Tim Trimble) and District 6 (Dave Cullen) devised their own compromise, however.
The winners of the District 1/2 tourney — to be held in Coupeville Feb. 15 and 17 — automatically advance to state.
Under the new plan, the losers of the title game will get a chance to play for a state berth.
The District 1/2 runner-up on the boys side will travel to play the lowest-seeded team advancing from the District 4 tourney Sunday, Feb. 20.
Tipoff will be no later than noon that day.
In girls action, the second-place team will travel to face the lowest-seeded District 6 team either Feb. 19 or 20.
The winners of those new loser-out games earns a state tourney berth.
Having state tourney slots yanked away at such a late date, with no explanation, was a dagger in the back and earned a blistering response from area Athletic Directors.
Tuesday’s news was greeted in a much different manner.
“This is a great testament of what happens when a group works together to make a difficult situation right and when they put kids’ well-being at the forefront of decision making,” said Coupeville AD Willie Smith.
Coupeville Sports 
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