Hailey
Kansas high schools are making fast, coordinated decisions to adjust game schedules as winter weather threatens travel safety across the state.
With snow accumulation, plunging temperatures, and dangerous wind chills forecast in several regions, school administrators and athletic directors are moving games earlier, shifting full competition days, and canceling select matchups to protect students, staff, and families.
These changes are affecting basketball tournaments, wrestling meets, and multi-day athletic events, especially those that involve long-distance travel on rural highways.
Why Kansas Schools Are Adjusting Game Schedules
Winter weather in Kansas can change rapidly. Forecasts for late January indicate several inches of snow, icy road conditions, and wind chills approaching minus double digits in parts of the state. For schools that rely on buses traveling before sunrise or late at night, this creates serious safety concerns.
By moving games earlier in the day or finishing tournaments ahead of schedule, schools reduce:
- Exposure to icy nighttime roads
- Risk of weather-related cancellations mid-event
- Strain on student-athletes returning home late
These proactive moves help ensure competitions are completed while prioritizing safety.
Basketball Tournaments Impacted By Winter Weather
Bluestem Classic In El Dorado Moves Games Forward
The 58th Annual Bluestem Classic in El Dorado adjusted its multi-day basketball schedule to avoid worsening conditions later in the weekend.
- Friday games were moved earlier, starting at 12:45 p.m. instead of mid-afternoon
- Games were scheduled 20 minutes apart to finish earlier in the evening
- Saturday games were rescheduled to Monday, January 26, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal games remained on Thursday, with placement and championship games shifted to Monday to ensure safer travel.
Thunder Classic In Seneca Moves Saturday Games
The Thunder Classic at Nemaha Central High School also announced major adjustments:
- All Saturday games were moved to Friday, January 23
- A Varsity Boys matchup against Campus was canceled due to scheduling constraints
This change allowed teams to complete the tournament before the heaviest weather arrived.
Flint Hills Shootout In Emporia Adjusts Start Times
The Flint Hills Shootout in Emporia revised both Thursday and Friday schedules:
- Thursday: Consolation games began at 9:00 a.m., championship games at 1:30 p.m.
- Friday: Consolation games began at 9:00 a.m., championship bracket games at 3:00 p.m.
The earlier starts helped avoid late evening travel as temperatures dropped.
Wrestling Events Also Affected
Winter weather changes were not limited to basketball. The Eureka Wrestling Tournament in Eureka was moved entirely:
- Originally scheduled for Saturday
- Rescheduled to Friday, January 23, at the same location and time
In addition, some junior varsity wrestling events across the region moved start times up by an hour to ensure teams could return home safely before weather conditions worsened.
Kansas High School Schedule Changes Due To Winter Weather
| Event Name | Sport | Location | Original Plan | Updated Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluestem Classic | Basketball | El Dorado | Friday afternoon start, Saturday games | Friday start 12:45 p.m.; Saturday games moved to Monday |
| Thunder Classic | Basketball | Seneca | Saturday tournament games | Saturday games moved to Friday; one varsity game canceled |
| Flint Hills Shootout | Basketball | Emporia | Standard daytime/evening games | Earlier starts on Thursday and Friday |
| Eureka Wrestling Tournament | Wrestling | Eureka | Saturday event | Moved to Friday |
As winter weather tightens its grip on Kansas, high schools are choosing safety over tradition. By adjusting start times, shifting tournament days, and canceling select games, schools are minimizing risk while still allowing student-athletes to compete.
Families, athletes, and fans are encouraged to double-check schedules, plan travel carefully, and stay alert for last-minute updates as conditions continue to evolve.