Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland talk the format for state basketball, give a salute to a few teams and players, plus Tony and Cale talk about their recent visits to Spring Training
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
In this episode of The Study of Sports, reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss the format of Washington’s high school basketball tournaments and if there is any momentum toward making changes.
We also give a salute to Columbia River and Camas boys basketball teams for their trophy-worthy seasons, and a shout-out to Camas girls basketball seniors who just completed an incredible career.
As far as the state tournament formats, Valencia says he has a big problem with teams that have lost in the state tournament still having the opportunity to win a state championship. He contends if a team loses a state playoff game, that team should not be in the running for a state title.
Under the current format, eight of the 16 (or 20 teams) in each tournament can lose in the Opening Round and still go on to win the championship. Last week, two teams did just that in the 12 WIAA tournaments. (There are six boys classifications and six girls classifications.)
“I don’t know what the end game is going to be. I do agree, though, it doesn’t feel right to me to have a state champ that lost a game in the state tournament,” Piland said.
LIberatore had a different point of view. He said fans could consider those Opening Round games as similar to pool play in the World Cup. There are soccer teams that win the World Cup that have finished second in pool play. He noted that there are different formats for a number of sports. We just aren’t used to having high school teams lose in the state tournament and still win it all.
We also answer a question from one of our readers, and more on high school sports.
Also, Cale and Tony both traveled to Arizona recently for Spring Training. They tell us what it’s like to visit their favorite MLB team before the season starts.
Our podcast format is simple: A longtime sports reporter (Paul Valencia) discusses high school sports, and more, with longtime sports administrators and former coaches. Cale Piland is the former head football coach at Evergreen and Union and is now the athletic director for Evergreen Public Schools. Tony Liberatore is a former assistant coach and athletic director at Columbia River and is now an associate principal at Fort Vancouver.
We’re always interested in subject ideas for a future podcast. Email us a subject idea.
Send us your thoughts at: paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
Also read:
- The Study of Sports Podcast, March 14, 2025: A recap of state basketball, and a discussion on the formats of Washington tournaments
A new episode of The Study of Sports Podcast dives into Washington state basketball tournament formats, celebrating standout teams and players, and sharing insights from Spring Training. - State basketball: Columbia River shines to take fourth place: Camas ends up sixthColumbia River secures fourth place, and Camas ties for sixth in the Washington state high school basketball championships
- High school girls basketball: Camas coach Scott Thompson’s resignation becomes official
Camas girls basketball coach Scott Thompson officially steps down after leading the team to multiple state tournaments, including a 2024 championship. - State basketball tournaments: Camas boys, Columbia River boys advance to trophy roundCamas and Columbia River boys basketball teams advanced in the state tournament, securing a spot in the trophy round after key victories.
- High school basketball: There will be no state champions from Clark County this seasonClark County teams fell short in the WIAA state basketball quarterfinals, with all six teams now battling in the consolation bracket.
