Winter Sports: Basketball Boys

Basketball Handbook

 

 

D-1 BASKETBALL PLAYOFF HANDBOOK 

SEED MEETING: Will be determined by the District One Office and will be posted on the website. Meeting IS for all Boys and Girls Steering Committee Reps in all classifications.

Seed Meeting is an open meeting. All coaches are encouraged to attend. Any visitor should be identified.

HOST ATHLETIC DIRECTORS MEETING: Will be held the Tuesday after the Seed meeting via Zoom. - Meeting is for all ADs hosting playoff games. Playoff policies and handbook will be discussed.  Game balls to be distributed at a later date.

ADMISSION AND TICKET POLICIES (as of 2026)

GENERAL ADMISSION:  $7.00 - School aged children to Adult ($7 admission for all games up to the Finals).

GENERAL ADMISSION TO ALL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS and BOYS 5A / 6A SEMIFINALS:  All Tickets - $TBA (if played at a College / University)

No one will be admitted without a ticket except team personnel (admitted by coach) and cheerleaders. A team consists of no more than 20 individuals, including management and coach.  Each participating school will be permitted to admit members of the team free-of-charge.

The members of the team that are to be admitted free-of-charge must be identified to site security by the head coach, Athletic Director, or Principal and ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEAM INCLUDING COACHES, MANAGERS, AND OTHER NON-PLAYING PERSONNEL MUST ENTER THE CONTEST SITE IN ONE (1) GROUP AND AT THE SAME TIME.

The Cheerleading party (who will be in uniform), including mascot and advisor shall be admitted to the game free-of-charge, in one (1) group.

TICKET SALE: all tickets will be sold via an online platform - Home Town Tickets. Cash will now be accepted if tickets are available. Visiting and host schools shall be afforded an appropriate and equal number of tickets. In the event of a sell-out, the host school shall do its best to communicate with the press and general public to help avoid any security concerns.

COMP TICKETS:  Each school will be allotted 10 Complimentary Tickets for administration and assigned school personnel to assist in governing their respective student body while their team participates. Schools should provide a list or provide their own comp tickets.

The host school should be notified of all comp tickets characteristics before the contest.

PASSES:  Only District-One Committee and Steering Committee Passes are accepted.

No league, coach, or officials passes will be honored at District-One Playoff Games.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE / DATES:

Requests to play on different dates, or to adjust game times must be agreed upon by the opponent and then approved in advance by the Basketball Chair and the District-One Office. Special consideration will be given to host schools who are also hosting other District-One playoff contests. It is expected that any postponed contest be played the next available date. Note: pre-determined dates and neutral sites will not have the ability to be adjusted.

Recommended GAME TIMES:

Single Game - 7:00 P.M.

Double Header - 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M.

Saturday Single Game - 1:00 P.M.

Saturday Double Header - 1:00 P.M. & 2:30 P.M. or 6:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M

STATE PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS - PIAA PLAYOFF STARTING DATES  will be posted on the www.piaa.org

PIAA OFFICIALS: PIAA Officials assignments are determined by District-One Assignors.

  • Assigned Game Officials will be sent to host school Athletic Director via email or the District-One Arbiter Account.
  • District-One Office will pay all officials after the tournament.
  • Home facility must provide a private and secure location for PIAA Game Officials. Security should be provided for all officials until they depart the facility.

UNIFORMS: District One Playoffs - Home Team is determined by the Higher Seed.

PIAA Playoffs – “Home Team” is on top of the Bracket

Home Team: White Uniforms

Visiting Team: Dark Uniforms 

GAME BALL: Teams will use the PIAA approved Wilson NCAA NXT – NHFS approved game ball (as per 7/25) – The designated home team shall provide the basketball for the entire contest. Teams will no longer switch game ball at half-time. Game Balls must be approved by the officials prior to the contest.

WARM UP:  Teams are permitted to warm-up with basketballs 20 minutes prior to tip-off of any single game – unless agreed upon by both coaches and game manger. All second and subsequent games will have a minimum 20-minute warm-up prior to tip-off.

Home teams are permitted to use their school’s auxiliary gyms prior to official warmups.

CONDITIONS DETERMINING HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IF NEEDED 

The District Committee has approved the home court advantage to top seeded teams prior to the semi-final round and for all playback games providing their court will meet and agree to the following conditions:

  • There will not be a rental charge or custodial cost for the use of their court and facility for any games at the home school.
  • Court (playing surface) must meet standard regulations preferred 84' x 50'.

In the event that the above conditions cannot be met by the seeded school, the District Committee will pursue the following conditions:

  • Provide a site that meets the requirements previously stated.
  • Consideration will be given to sites within reasonable proximity of competing schools or within the league of seeded team.
  • Economy as to the operation of the contest will be given consideration.
  • A recommendation of suitable sites from the seeded school not meeting the criteria as   presented will be considered. The recommendation must be presented to the Basketball Chairman in time to present to the District Committee for necessary approval.

 PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DISTRICT ONE GAME and SITE MANAGERS

SITE MANAGER:

The site manager is that person employed by the school district in which the contest is played.

It is his/her responsibility to do the following:         

  • Conduct a preliminary discussion with the game manager on the matters pertaining to hosting the contest.
  • Greet Visiting Team, game officials, and show them to their locker-room.
  • Assign the following game personnel as needed that have been approved by the District One Committee: Scoreboard operator, Official scorer, Announcer, Ticket seller / taker, School supervisor, Security, Certified athletic trainer / appropriate emergency medical care.
  • Conduct a pre-game check to determine that all assigned personnel are present.
  • Inform both teams that they may come on the court with basketballs 20 minutes in uniform prior to the start of the contest if time permits. Teams are permitted to warmup and stretch prior to the 20 minutes before the contest.
  • Remind game officials that they are required to be on the court 15 minutes before tip-off.
  • No one is permitted on the floor practicing or shooting baskets during intermission or half time.
  • 20 Minutes will be set on the clock for the second game of a Doubleheader.
  • Review with security personnel PIAA regulations regarding spectator decorum; and know where school administration is seated prior to the start of the game in case of emergency.
  • Provide emergency medical assistance in the form of a doctor, nurse, athletic trainer, ambulance, etc. as the circumstances warrant.
  • Comply with the standard game management fee schedule that has been approved by the District One Committee for basketball playoffs.

GAME MANAGER:

The game manager assumes a role with the authority delegated by the PIAA District One Committee.

  • The Game Manager should contact the visiting school Principal/Athletic Director to confirm date and time of game. Pre-Game time schedule and bus arrival times should also be discussed. Team rosters should be sent in advance.
  • Be sure to have cell # for visiting team Athletic Director.
  • The Game and Site Managers should determine the maximum seating capacity of the gym and arrange a monitoring system that prevents sales beyond that number.
  • Game Managers should meet with game officials, school supervisors and cheerleading coaches prior to the game to discuss game procedures.
    • The home team is responsible for the official score book. The official game scorebook must be kept by an adult assigned by the home school.
    • Proper security and exit procedures must be discussed with game officials prior to the contest.
    • Provide a secure and private changing location for Game Officials, away from teams and spectators.
    • Pre-Game Meeting: 5-10 minutes before tip-off.
      • Meet with coaches and game officials to discuss game security and game management procedures.
        • Game officials will be in charge of the game on the floor
        • School administrators are responsible for the behavior of their students and spectators.
        • All school supervisors should be visible and available throughout the contest.
        • Coaches will have full responsibility of their athletes on the bench.
        • In case of a disturbance on the floor, each coach is responsible to keep his or her team on the bench.
        • Cheerleading coaches should understand the PIAA restrictions on cheerleading activities and the restrictive cheerleading rule (attached below)

REPORT SCORES TO: District One Office and the Basketball Chairperson 

Sean Kelly – skelly@piaad.org / © 267-884-1028.  

Sean Harvey – sharvey@kcsd.org / © (717) 327-6941

FINANCIAL GAME REPORTS: Complete the financial game report for the contest (s) played.

FORMS:  Instructions Available on the D1 Website – District One Financial Forms

District One Game Reports – Game Fee Policies

Be certain that the following information is completed on each financial form:

  • Game number (located on each D-1 Bracket)
  • Date of game
  • Officials' information
  • Name and Signature of game manager
  • Names of all persons to be compensated for game site tasks
  • If applicable: List Additional Expenses – i.e.: Security / Police with estimated amounts.
  • Collect checks from Radio and/or Cable TV Stations. Checks from the stations should be made payable to:  DISTRICT ONE PIAA and presented to the site game manager prior to the Start of the game. (See Electronic Media Policy)

 HOME GAME BUDGET:

  • Single Game                           $350.00  
  • Double Header                        $500.00

NEUTRAL SITE BUDGET:  TBD by the Host Game Manager and D1 Office

Any game site expenses that go beyond the maximum allocation approved by the District One Committee will be the responsibility of the host school.

Complete the financial report for the game, using District One forms and submit to the District One Office.         

TROPHIES and MEDALS:  Team Champion will receive a trophy. Team Champion and Runner-Up will receive 20 medals for coaches and players. Additional Medals may be ordered through the District-One Office.

                                                                                METHOD OF SEEDING / POWER RATING SYSTEM          (All schools on your schedule are included in your calculations)                                                           

  • WIN POINTS - 5 points for each win
  • SCHEDULE POINTS - Winning percentage of all opponents on your schedule x 5
  • BONUS POINTS - The winning percentage of the team that your team Defeated x 12

The Power Rating is determined by dividing the sum of the win points, schedule points, and bonus points by the number of the games you played. Note: Post-Season League Playoff and Championship games do not count towards the power ranking system.

SPORTSMANSHIP and ADDITIONAL POLICIES

District One Basketball Playoff games are conducted under the authority of the District One Committee. The District Committee is firm in its desire that good conduct and sportsmanlike behavior shall be required in this series of games. Each member school participating has the responsibility of control of their students and spectators.

In all games conducted under the jurisdiction of the PIAA and District Committee, the following PIAA Policies and Proceduresare to be enforced:

INDOOR EVENTS: SPECTATOR DECORUM The presence and/or the use of balloons, banners, laser pointers, noisemakers, pom-poms (by spectators), shakers, signs, sirens, strips of material, towels, whistles, and/or portable listening devices (without earphones) are PROHIBITED! Persons using such items may be removed from the Contest. The use of pom-poms by cheerleaders and small portable listening devices with earphones is permitted. During basketball Contests cheerleaders may utilize portable signs in their cheer performances and confirm that this does not violate the intent of the “no sign” policy. Spectators are prohibited from removing their shirt and/or using body paint while in attendance at District and Inter-District Championship Contests and may be removed from the Contest for doing so. Principals and Athletic Directors shall inform and publicize these regulations to students. The failure of a school to so inform or publicize will not, however, prevent removal from the Contest for violations of this policy.

  • No Banners, pictures or handheld signs carried into the contest
  • No 50/50s or Lotteries
  • No Throwing of confetti, toilet paper rolls or other objects in the stand or court
  • No waving of streamers, towels, pompoms, or strips of material
  • No artificial noise makers, whistles, or portable listening devices
  • Pep Bands are not authorized to play at indoor events
  • No provocative antics or stunts by spectators or cheerleaders   
  • No menacing actions or gestures by groups towards opposing players or officials. Particularly as displayed when crowding towards the edge or upon the floor or opposing players’ benches.
  • Unsportsmanlike and illegal actions by coaches and players.
  • There is to be no hand waving by spectators as disconcerting to player at the Foul Line.
  • Spectators are prohibited from removing their shirts and/or using body paint.

The following is recommended to each participating school:

  • Publicize and stress these standards of conduct to faculty mangers, cheerleaders, boosters' groups, and student bodies.
  • Request local papers to urge upon the public the necessity of conduct of which neither the school nor the community would be ashamed. Good sportsmanship means cheering FOR your team, not AGAINST your opponent.                      

SUGGESTIONS:  REGARDING CONTROL OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

It is strongly suggested by the District Committee that a supervisor be assigned for at least every 200 tickets sold by the participating schools. This suggestion is made because it is believed that Faculty, well-respected parents, or community leaders will serve and assist in setting a better decor and climate at closely contested games.

POSTGAME POLICY REGARDING SPECTATORS ENTERING THE COMPETITION SURFACE:

PIAA member schools are responsible for the treatment of all visitors and officials attending contests conducted by their school. Access to competition areas should be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, and game personnel. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest should spectators be permitted to enter the competition area prior to the teams and contest officials leaving the competition area

POLICY RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

PIAA District One playoff and championship contests shall not be stopped or interrupted in order to celebrate a team or individual accomplishment (i.e., 1,000-point scorer in basketball). School Administrators and Coaches are encouraged to make arraignments with the contest manager to acknowledge the team and/or individual’s accomplishments after the contest has concluded.

POLICY RELATING TO INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING DISTRICT AND/OR INTER-DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT:

The decision whether to postpone a Contest during a PIAA District and/or Inter-District Championship Tournament, prior to the start of such Contest, is the responsibility of the PIAA District-Appointed Contest Manager, in consultation with the PIAA District Tournament Director, or the PIAA-Appointed Contest Manager, in consultation with the PIAA Tournament Director, within their respective jurisdictions. Once a Contest begins, said decision is the responsibility of the Contest Official(s).

In considering whether a postponement is appropriate, Contest Managers, in consultation with the applicable Tournament Director, shall give priority consideration to the travel conditions and the health and safety of the participants, Contest Officials, and spectators. Contest Managers shall consider requests made by school officials. They may also weigh available reports and information from other sources regarding road and weather conditions and/or forecasts; and shall consider the consequences of postponement, such as the availability of dates and sites for make-up Contests.

Where a decision is made not to postpone a Contest, the failure of a school to participate in such Contest shall constitute an automatic forfeit.

  • Time permitting; a school may appeal the imposition of forfeiture. For a forfeiture occurring during a District Tournament, said appeal shall be submitted to, and resolved by, the applicable District Chairman, or that District Chairman’s designee. For a forfeiture occurring during the Inter-District Championship Tournament, said appeal shall be submitted to, and resolved by, the PIAA Executive Director, or the Executive Director’s designee.
  • Appeals will be considered only if they can be resolved in sufficient time to permit rescheduling of the Contest. An appeal may be denied solely on the basis that scheduling a make-up Contest is not reasonably feasible. The decision may not be further appealed.
  • If there does exists time to schedule a make-up Contest, the applicable District Chairman, or that District Chairman’s designee, or the Executive Director, or the Executive Director’s designee, within their respective jurisdictions, shall have discretion to grant relief upon consideration of the following factors: 1. whether a request was timely made by the school to postpone the Contest; 2. whether the appeal was timely presented by the school; 3. whether road and weather conditions were, or were expected to become, extremely hazardous; 4. whether most other schools did participate in Contests in the same area on the same Contest date; 5. whether there were any unique or unusually dangerous conditions relating to the appellant school;  6. whether the appellant school, in making its decision, relied on information not available to the Contest Manager; and 7. the impact on the opponent and other participants in the Tournament of rescheduling the Contest.

NHFS ANNOUNCER RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • May be announced: Player who scored / Player charged with foul / Player attempting free throw / Team granted a time out / Length of time out: 30 seconds or 60 seconds Player entering game / Team Rosters
  • Shall not be announced: Number of points player scored / Number of fouls on player / Number of team fouls / Number of team time outs or number remaining / Time remaining in the quarter/game / Type of foul or violation / Emphatic 2- or 3-point goal

CHEERLEADERS

It is requested that cheerleading captains of each competing school be notified by school authority that cheering will take place in an organized manner. By this it is meant that the privilege and courtesy as to the use of the floor for cheerleading will be done on an alternate basis during a time-out and between quarters. It is the intent not to compete spectators from each school against one another but extend the courtesy and provide the opportunity for a better sense of sportsmanship between the school and its spectators. Cheerleading coaches /captains should make these arrangements for alternating prior to the game at game site.                                                                         

PIAA RESTRICTIONS ON CHEERLEADING ACTIVITIES

The PIAA Board of Directors does not permit cheerleaders to perform dangerous activities at PIAA interscholastic athletic events. In an effort to eliminate or minimize injury to cheerleaders, the following shall be in effect for all PIAA district, PIAA inter-district, PIAA regional and PIAA final athletic events.

  • No cheerleader shall stand on another person unless that other person has at least (1) foot on the ground.
  • No flips are permitted from another person unless that other person has both feet on the ground.
  • Trampolines and/or mini tramps shall not be used.

PIAA BASKETBALL RESTRICTIVE CHEERLEADING RULE

It is the responsibility of the representative of each school to be sure that the school's cheerleaders understand their responsibilities during the game. During the live ball, cheerleaders are to remain seated. They may do all the cheering they desire during dead ball periods. When a cheerleading group is in obvious violation of this regulation, the officials will notify the game officials. The game manager will then notify the person in charge of the cheerleaders that a warning is being given to the cheerleaders. The game manager will also explain that if there is a second violation of the restrictive cheerleading regulation, the cheerleading squad will be placed in the stands.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA INFORMATION POLICY                        The PIAA District One reserves all rights to the pictures and video content of its contests. The District One Executive Secretary will have the authority to approve requests to record, video capture and or transmit commercial radio, web, and/or video by any electronic media platform or TV live broadcast any of its playoff contests.

PIAA Media Policy

The following approved procedures / fees will be followed:

  • Prior approval by the Executive Secretary is required of all recording, video capture, transmission, and broadcasts whether they are commercial enterprises or school-based organizations.
  • Advertising and announcements relative to alcoholic beverages, gaming, tobacco products or political candidates, parties’ organizations are prohibited.
  • There is no broadcast fee for commercial radio, TV or web-based representatives who record only highlights of playoff contests. Prior approval by Executive Secretary is required.
  • Member school owned TV organizations must complete a District-One Request Waiver Form.
  • Member school owned Radio / Web organizations must have prior approval by the game manager; must assume all hook up costs. And will not be subject to the District-One broadcast fee schedule.

Cablecasting/telecasting and/or webcasting (video streaming) of up to ninety (90) seconds of video transmission of any PIAA District One Championship Contest for use as part of a local sportscast shall be permitted without charge. Any such use shall include visual credit to PIAA and shall be permitted only after completion of the Contest in question. Recording, video capture or transmission by electronic media platform or the use of production programs, such as Periscope, Face Book Live, to video stream Inter-District Contests without prior written permission from PIAA is prohibited.

Game Managers: Please have the following announced at Playoff Contests

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the PIAA and District One require all media polices be followed during contests. Any recording, video capture, broadcasting, transmission and/or webcasting through any social media platform of PIAA or District One Championship Contests is prohibited without the prior written consent of the PIAA or the District One Office. Individuals recording or posting unauthorized live videos may be removed from the site of competition.”

DISTRICT ONE MEMBER SCHOOL SPONSORED / OWNED

TV, RADIO OR WEB ORGANIZATION

DISTRICT ONE POLICY: 

  • Live Radio/Audio Stream – no fee
  • Live TV / Webcast – 50% of live broadcast fee

 

PIAA POLICY = 50% DISCOUNT for all school broadcast permissions

Revised / Approved 10.12.25

BASKETBALL

LIVE Commercial Cable TV Broadcast / Live Webcasting

1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A

5A and 6A

1st Rd / 2nd Rd / Q-Finals - $200

1st Rd / 2nd Rd / Q-Finals - $200

Playbacks - $200

Play Backs - $200

Semifinals - $600

Semifinals / $800

Final - $800

Final - $1000