For Southwest Washington teams, the way to advance to those opening-round sites varies by classification.
Class 4A
There is no traditional district tournament in the 4A Greater St. Helens League this year. With five teams, and with each team facing each other three times in the regular season, officials determined that the regular season champion would automatically become the district champion. The second- and third-place teams will play in a one-game playoff for the No. 2 seed.
The two seeds from the 4A GSHL will then play in the 16-team District 3/4 tournament, with eight teams advancing to the opening rounds of the Hardwood Classic. The 4A GSHL's No. 1 team will have a home game in that tournament.
Hardwood Classic first-round boys sites: Jackson HS in Mill Creek; Juanita HS in Kirkland; Puyallup HS; and Richland HS.
Hardwood Classic first-round girls sites: Jackson HS in Mill Creek; Inglemoor HS in Kenmore; Rogers HS in Puyallup; and Richland HS.
Class 3A
Five teams will qualify for the district tournament, a step-ladder format. No. 5 will face No. 4 in an elimination game. The winner will take on No. 3, then No. 2, and finally, the No. 1 team from the regular season for the district championship. The final four teams at district will qualify for the 12-team bi-district. Of those 12, five will make it to the Hardwood Classic.
Hardwood Classic first-round boys sites: Marysville-Pilchuck HS in Marysville; Bellevue College; Auburn HS; and Spokane Falls CC.
Hardwood Classic first-round girls sites: Marsyville Pilchuck in Marysville; Bellevue College; Auburn-Mountainview HS; Shadle Park HS in Spokane.
Class 2A
The top three teams in the 2A GSHL will make the eight-team District 4 tournament, and from there, three teams will advance to the Hardwood Classic.
Hardwood Classic first-round boys sites: Stanwood HS; Mt. Tahoma HS in Tacoma; Tumwater HS; and Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
Hardwood Classic first-round girls sites: Stanwood HS; Foss HS in Tacoma; Black Hills HS in Tumwater; and Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
Class 1A
The top four teams will advance to the eight-team 1A District 4 tournament, with four teams from there advancing to the Hardwood Classic.
Hardwood Classic first-round boys sites: Glacier Peak HS in Snohomish; W.F. West in Chehalis; Eisenhower HS in Yakima; and Mead HS in Spokane.
Hardwood Classic first-round girls sites:Glacier Peak HS in Snohomish; W.F. West in Chehalis; West Valley HS in Yakima; and Mt. Spokane HS in Mead.
Class 1B
The top four teams from the Columbia Valley League advance to an eight-team district tournament. From there, three teams will advance to the Hardwood Classic.
Hardwood Classic first-round boys/girls sites: Mountlake Terrace; Timberline HS in Lacey; Eastmont HS in East Wenatchee; and Walla Walla HS.