More changes made to NJSIAA state basketball tournament, as Wednesday games are shifted to Friday

As one coach texted us this afternoon, “Will this tournament ever be played?”

Not yet, apparently, as New Jersey digs out from a near-record blizzard that affected the entire Northeast Sunday into Monday, and now beyond.

Monday, the NJSIAA postponed the entire slate of opening round games that were originally scheduled Tuesday for public schools in Group 2 and 4 sections. Tuesday morning, they also swept Wednesday’s first round games for public schools in Groups 1 and 3 to Friday.

While it may have been easier to just push the games back a day, the idea to move games two days later is likely for two reasons. First, to get everyone on the same schedule rather than have some teams play later and have less prep time between rounds. The second concern is availability of officials, which is why different groups play on different days in the first place.

NJSIAA Assistant Director and Basketball Tournament Director Al Stumpf confirmed the changes to Central Jersey Sports Radio as follows:

Public Groups 2 and 4

• Sectionals, First Round moved from Tuesday, Feb. 24 to Thursday, Feb. 26
• Sectional Quarterfinals moved from Thursday, Feb. 26 to Saturday, Feb. 28
• Sectional Semifinals remain on Tuesday, March 3 (as originally scheduled)
• Sectional Finals at higher seeds remain on Friday, March 6 (as originally scheduled)

Public Groups 1 and 3

• Sectionals, First Round moved from Wednesday, Feb. 25 to Friday, Feb. 27
• Sectional Quarterfinals moved from Friday, Feb. 27 to Monday, March 2
• Sectional Semifinals remain on Wednesday, March 4 (as originally scheduled)
• Sectional Finals at higher seeds remain on Saturday, March 7 (as originally scheduled)

As of 12:45 pm Friday, it appears game times will generally remain the same, but check back for updates as we’ll make note of any game time changes we can, with priority for CJSR coverage area teams.

The public state semifinals at neutral sites and state finals at Rutgers have not been affected, nor has any of the Non-Public tournament, with sectional play not set to begin until Thursday for Group A sections North and South, and Friday for Group B sections North and South.

Some additional light snow may fall this week, but with less than an inch expected in either case, according to forecasts, that shouldn’t affect too many games. A bigger concern could be next week, with a few light snow showers expected Monday and a wintry mix with ice on Tuesday, but there may also be more flexibility with officials next week to allow both groups to play on the same day, if necessary. And, of course, ten-day weather predictions can change drastically at this early stage.

Keep following Central Jersey Sports Radio on Twitter and check back here often for the latest updates!