Ken McLemore

HOPE – The 2021 7-4A high school basketball season championship will be decided in a tournament play format, Hope High School Athletic Director Phillip Turner announced Thursday.

“The 7-4A athletics directors decided to have a senior high district tournament because everyone would not get to make-up all their games due to COVID-19,” Turner said.

He said the district tournament will be played on Saturday, Feb. 13 with games and venue to be announced.

“Seeding is unknown at this time,” Turner said. “Each school should try to make up as many games as possible to help with seeding for the tournament.”

Travel will be determined by seeding placement, he said.

“Each lower seeded team will have to travel to the higher seed’s arena due to COVID-19,” Turner said. “Tournament seeding will be based on overall conference wins.”

HHS has three remaining conference games against Nashville, Feb. 9, at Jones Field House; Mena, Feb. 10, at Mena; and Fountain Lake, Feb. 11, at Fountain Lake. Each of those games will begin at 6 p.m., Turner said.

Ticket purchase information for remaining conference games and district tournament play will be announced.