(KJCCC) – Region 6 basketball has moved.
The 2024 Region 6 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will take place at the fabled Sports Arena in Hutchinson KS for the semifinals and the finals on March 15 and 16.
“With the NJCAA D1 National Tournaments moving back a week, it created a situation that opened up many venues that we couldn’t use in the past because they hosted KSHSAA state tournaments,” said Mike Saddler, KJCCC commissioner and NJCAA Region 6 director. “A couple years ago the Region voted to hold our tournament in Hutchinson in the years when our tournament wasn’t the same weekend as high school State.”
The Sports Arena was opened in 1951, and is home to the NJCAA Division 1 men’s basketball championship tournament. The Arena underwent a major renovation through 2016 and 2017, and now boasts three practice courts, fresh locker rooms, a weight room, and new offices, as well as mechanical and cosmetic improvements. This years’ men’s national tourney takes place March 24-30.
Saddler noted the uniqueness of the Sports Arena.
“The Sports Arena is one of the best junior college basketball venues in the country. It is as good of a championship-caliber venue as there is nationally, so for us to get to host our region championship there is wonderful,” said Saddler. “It also provides the men’s teams in our region the opportunity to have played multiple games where the national tournament will be in a couple of weeks, which is a huge advantage for whoever advances from Kansas.”
Second round (quarterfinal) games of the Region 6 tournament are on Tuesday, March 12, with winners advancing to Hutchinson for Friday semifinals.
Saddler and the rest of the staff of the Region 6 tournament are looking forward to being in Hutchinson come Friday.
“The city of Hutchinson is a great basketball community, so they are excited to have the Region 6 Tournament. They put on great tournaments all throughout the year, whether it’s the NJCAA Men’s D1 National Tournament, NJCAA D1 Volleyball Tournament, or the many KSHSAA State events they host,” said Saddler. “The Hutchinson community does a wonderful job supporting the events they host, and they put on a first- class experience every time.”
For more information on the Region 6 D1 women’s tournament:
https://kjccc.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/files/2024_Women-s_Basketball_Playoffs
For more info on the Region 6 D1 men’s tournament:
https://kjccc.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/files/2024_Men-s_Basketball_Playoffs
For more on the conference, check out kjccc.org
