WEEKLY RANKING SELECTION PROCESS

The MHSAA releases unofficial rankings for the sports of Volleyball, Basketball and Hockey. These rankings are published by a number of papers province wide and our website. These rankings are based on information collected by the MHSAA throughout the regular season. Rankings are done to create interest in the sport and give people an indication of how teams compare with other teams in their own classification. Weekly rankings are unofficial and therefore NOT considered for wildcard and provincial rankings.

The JV Urban, "A", "AA" and "AAA" classification rankings are normally done every second week and the "AAAA" rankings and hockey are done every week. The reason that these rankings are unofficial, is that, they are tabulated with as much information as we can gather. We do not always receive information such as league results and some games that may happen at a tournament, therefore, without that information, it is difficult to get the rankings as accurate as possible.

Schools hosting tournaments are required to send results to the MHSAA the first school day following tournament play. Recent tournament and league play is considered foremost and a team's success against other ranked teams within their own classification is extremely important. Being successful in a tournament with other ranked teams, in the same classification, is also important, especially in the playoffs of a tournament. Defeating teams in higher categories is not necessarily reflected. Simply, a higher classification reflects school size, it doesn't necessarily reflect higher competition.

The JV Urban "A", "AA" and "AAA" and hockey rankings are done by the MHSAA staff. Coaches in certain regions are contacted for input, but they don't have a 'vote' in the rankings. The "AAAA" volleyball and basketball rankings are done by committee. The MHSAA selects the committee and the members are confidential. The committee is selected for their unbiased views. To encourage an unbiased view, we keep the committee confidential so that the members cannot be lobbied or influenced.

MHSAA WILDCARD APPLICATION PROCESS

NOTE: Rankings that are published in the paper are unofficial and have no bearing on a wildcard decision. Those rankings are based on information that has been gathered during the regular season and the final wildcard decision is based on the actual information on every team that is vying to qualify for the championship.

The wildcard application process is very important for school teams that do not qualify by winning their zone or interzone. It is very important to complete the criteria as specified in each sport section in the handbook or on the website. Wildcard opportunities and provincial rankings must be earned through a season record as compared to other teams that are vying for the provincials

A wildcard application is based on three items, those being:
- letter of intent from the principal,
- wildcard fee and
- complete season record.
The letter of intent is a statement from the principal allowing the team to potentially play in a wildcard game. Simply, an administrator of the school must endorse the application or it will not be accepted. As well, a complete season record must be included so that we can compare your team with the other teams vying for the provincials. The season record should consist of each and every tournament, exhibition, league and playoff games/matches that have been played, including scores. It is also beneficial to list the games in chronological order, which reflects the progress of the team. A detailed season record is absolutely crucial. So, if three games are played in a tournament, the opponent and all scores must be recorded. All of this information must be received by the MHSAA by the deadline date and no exceptions can be made. The season record and letter of intent may be faxed, mailed or emailed. The letter of intent should note that a cheque has been forwarded in the mail. Time is crucial. For example, for one deadline date, the MHSAA may receive more than 160 records of team seeding information and/or wildcard applications, for ONE sport. For example, one volleyball season deadline, we received 170+ records. The MHSAA office staff usually has about approximately one day to review all of the information and make decisions. If the information isn't complete, or if coaches expect the MHSAA staff to research games that aren't included, it is simply not possible. Simply, we don't have the time to research the hundreds of tournaments that take place to find a score that a submission is missing and logically, if an application is missing a score, it isn't a serious application. Also, it wouldn't be fair for teams that have complete applications, if we are chasing other applications to find out why information is incomplete. Teams that receive wildcard berth's or games will be contacted. Games are typically played within days of the application deadline. (The days of potential wildcard games are listed in the sport specific section of the handbook and website)

The decision making process for wildcards is very thorough. The first factor is a head to head record of all the wildcard applicants. If they have played each other and it is clear that one team has a proven record against the other teams then that team will be ranked ahead of the other applications. If this does not provide a clear decision, then head to head records against other teams that will be competing in the provincials will be used. If this doesn't work, then the common denominator will be a common opponent between the wildcard applications.

The whole season is taken into consideration. Injuries, number of grade 12's, teams reputation, etc are not taken into consideration. Reason being, the games/matches took place and a scores were recorded. Simply, it comes down to the win/loss record. An emphasis is also placed in the success of a team late in the season, in their league playoffs and toughness of competition schedule. It helps if a team record reflects that it is peaking as the provincials get closer.

Rankings that are published in the paper are unofficial and have no bearing on a wildcard decision. Those rankings are based on information that has been gathered during the regular season and the final wildcard decision is based on the actual information on every team that is vying to qualify for the championship.

MHSAA News Page