Complete game-changer: How UIL’s split division format reshaped TX high school basketball
With the UIL’s new split-division playoff format, there were drastic changes to the state basketball tournament experience.
Here is a look at the impact of split division, the University Interscholastic League’s goals and potential changes for future seasons.
UIL monitoring state semifinal round after year of pros and cons
One massive change with this year’s state tournament was taking the state semifinals away from the Alamodome and having them played at neutral sites.
When the UIL was considering the implementation of split division, the loss of the state semifinal round being played at the Alamodome was a necessity to achieve more competitive equity, according to UIL Deputy Director Jamey Harrison.
The feedback the UIL received called for split divisions, but sacrifices were needed.
“We knew these challenges were coming,” Harrison said. “We told our constituency groups that it was going to happen.”
According to Harrison, the UIL is receptive to feedback and will continue to monitor the state semifinal round. Harrison also said that with any change, you can’t make everyone happy.
“We’ve taken a lot of feedback from coaches at the state tournament,” Harrison said. “And different advisory groups. And of course, that feedback will be built in. Now, sometimes what they want is not possible in the way that they want it.”
Although some want a traditional state semifinal schedule, the reality is that it’s not a realistic option while in a split-division format. Travel and lodging costs would increase for schools, and the UIL would need to book the Alamodome for six days instead of three.
One big positive for the new format was the elimination of 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. game time starts. Harrison said the new schedule creates a more familiar environment for the student-athletes.
“These kids never play a game at 8:30 in the morning,” Harrison said. “Playing their most important game of the season at 8:30 in the morning just doesn’t feel right.”
The UIL is looking into several options for future state semifinals and will act according to feedback, according to Harrison. The main goal is to make the state semifinals feel special and to have the same state tournament allure.
Most state semifinal games in 2025 had smaller capacities than what the Alamodome typically provides. Duncanville and Allen sold out Coppell’s 2,000-capacity basketball stadium in 45 minutes; the Alamodome has a capacity of 16,000 for UIL basketball title games.
The UIL, however, does not decide the neutral site venues for state semifinal games. Coaches of the programs mutually decide on a venue. In the case of Duncanville and Allen, a larger arena wasn’t secured.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Turkey Valley and Garden City, two schools with a combined enrollment of 165 students, played a Class 1A Division 1 state semifinal at Texas Tech.
“There is a big government vs. small government question that goes into this,” Harrison said. “Does UIL staff sitting in a building in Austin, Texas, need to decide where all those games are played?
“Or do the two schools involved in the game need to make that decision? There are pros and cons to both. We’re looking for a way to marry those two ideas together, so it can feel more like a state tournament game.”
There are other arguments for smaller capacity venues. Although fewer fans are inside the arena, a sold-out crowd in a smaller venue creates an extremely loud, playoff-caliber environment. A great example was the Birdville vs. Frisco Heritage state semifinal at Lewisville High School, which was one of the loudest, most energy-filled games of the year.
Regardless of the venue, the UIL is focused on its goal of making the state semifinal round feel special. For next season, the UIL will look at having medal and trophy ceremonies to enhance the state tournament atmosphere.
With split-division, state tournament representation increases
One of the UIL’s main goals for split-division was to increase representation within the state tournament. With the doubling of the amount of titles games, it was bound to be a success.
Still, the numbers speak to just how big of an impact it made in Texas high school basketball.
In the girls’ state championships, seven programs won their first title: Broaddus, Denton Ryan, Nocona, Kountze, Decatur, Boswell and Summer Creek.
Five program were making their first state appearances in decades: Clyde Eula (1983), Farwell (2000), Decatur (1961), Monterey (1990) and Boswell (1977). Four programs made their first state tournament appearances: Broaddus, Denton Ryan, Paradise and Cuero.
In the boys’ state championships, five programs won their first state titles: Perrin-Whit, Waco Meyer, Tatum, Mansfield Summit and Denton Guyer.
Three programs made their first appearances in decades: Turkey Valley (1983), Perrin-Whit (1946), and Columbus (1983). Eight programs made their first state tournament appearances: Bryson, Waco Meyer, Paradise, Birdvile, West Brook, Denton Guyer, Katy Jordan and Houston Bellaire.
Harrison was pleased with the inaugural year of split-division state championships, citing the “great representation” as one of the reasons.
“We had a lot of schools there at the state championships for the first time ever, or for the first time in forever, because the increased competitive equity gave them a shot,” Harrison said.
Split division increases competitive balance with some drawbacks
Another goal for the UIL was competitive balance through “tighter enrollment disparities.”
With the division split, schools are more likely to face off against opponents with similar enrollments, creating a more level playing field. For example, in the old format, Duncanville might’ve faced Denton Guyer during its playoff run despite having more than 2,000 students.
On paper, split division should make games more competitive. However, there were a few exceptions.
In the boys’ state championships, the Class 1A Division 2 state title game saw Jayton hold Bryson to zero first-half field goals en route to a 34-point victory. Perrin-White, Kountze, Tatum and Dallas Kimball all won by 19 points or more.
One argument against split division is that a larger enrollment doesn’t always mean better performance. A great example is the Class 6A Division 2 girls’ bracket.
In the TABC’s Class 6A rankings, nine of the top 15 squads were in the division 2 bracket. The top four ranked teams were all in Class 6A Division 2.
Although enrollment is not the ultimate deciding factor of a team’s ability, having teams with similar enrollments face off guarantees a more level playing field with a semi-equal player pool.
There were some blowouts, but there were some close games, too. Six boys’ state championships were decided by 10 points or less. The Birdville vs. West Brook Class 5A Division 1 championship went to overtime, and the two Class 6A games came down to the last possession.
Do you have state tournament feedback? Share your thoughts and ideas with the Star-Telegram by sending an email to cbaggarly@star-telegram.com.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM.
.jpg)