Is a new form of March Madness coming to the state's high school basketball ranks?

A proposed section tournament format for the state's biggest schools, in which competitive balance would play an expanded role, was the most intriguing aspect of Thursday's busy Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors meeting.

The plan, proposed by the state coaches associations, would involve a committee assigning and seeding all 64 teams in the Class 4A boys' and girls' fields into eight sections. Geography would be considered, but competitive balance would receive greater weight than it does now.

The goal is getting the eight best teams into the state tournament rather than losing some along the way in stronger sections.

Board member Kevin Merkle said he was encouraged by the tone of Thursday's discussion. He anticipates the plan will get consideration at the board's February meeting.

"I thought it was good that the board was at least willing to listen," Merkle said. "It is intriguing. But it's also a relatively major change so I think they have to look at it very carefully."

Such a change could bring forward coaches from other sports to discuss uneven sections where fewer top teams reach their respective state tournaments.

"I'm not sure how many other places it would work," Merkle said. "We have a number of sports that want to get level of competition into the section assignments. But it's a slippery slope. But it would add some interest to the tournament, there's no doubt about it."

Football semis change

With a seventh class (6A) of football coming next season, the board approved expanding the state tournament semifinals to three days. Four games will be played Thursday, followed by five each on Friday and Saturday. None will start earlier than 9 a.m.

Other board news

• A co-op was approved joining Richfield's girls' hockey team with the Richfield-based Academy of Holy Angels.

• The boys' and girls' state tennis tournaments will adopt seeding in 2012-13. The top four individuals in both classes will be seeded, as well as the top four teams in Class 2A only.

• The boys' and girls' lacrosse state tournament was moved to June 5-8.

• Three events were added to the wheelchair track and field division: 100- and 3,200-meter races and discus throw.

• The board approved placing Melrose in the West Central Conference.