The new format splits each classification into two divisions, which now creates two different brackets for each classification and two state champions per classification. The new format bases playoff seeding off of enrollment. The district format remains the same for each of these sports with the top four teams moving on into playoffs, but here is where the new format takes effect. 

Out of the top four teams in the district, the two largest schools (enrollment) will be placed into the Division 1 bracket and the other team into the Division 2 bracket. Evidently, with Paschal just making it into 5A by a hundred or so students, they will be playing in the Division 1 bracket. Depending on how you look at it, this gives Paschal teams the opportunity to face large 5A schools just like themselves in the Division 1 bracket.

This new format is somewhat unfortunate for Paschal basketball and other sports down the line, as both the boys’ team and girls’ team will now play tough opponents throughout the playoffs. The PHS basketball boys are second in their district; in previous years, they would have had a favorable playoff matchup, but this year they are going to have to play a tougher team. As for the girls, they will win the district barring a loss and will have an advantage as the one seed in the Division 1 playoffs.

The girls’ final game of the regular season was Tuesday night, which they commandingly won over Polytechnic.

The boys’ final game of the regular season is February 11th, as they still have to play two more district opponents to finish the season out. The boys’ team will likely finish second in the district with only two losses, both coming against Arlington Heights.

Overall, both teams have had amazing seasons; this is the first time the girls’ team has made the playoffs for the first time in 42 years!