TAIAO uses a unique system to match programs based upon team size (as opposed to the size of their schools / organization). While TAPPS and UIL both set districts every two years, TAIAO effectively aligns every year to ensure teams of relative equal size and club experience are in the same divisions.
TAIAO basketball does this based upon the number of players on each team’s roster. For example, in 2023, teams with 12 or more players were in Division 1, teams with 11 or fewer players were in Division 2. Starting in 2025, TAIAO will have a “Competitive Division” comprised of teams who have 50% or more select / club players or who play a competitive schedule as defined by the General Rules. The Competitive Division” will not have regional play.
Furthermore, TAIAO has no districts as they are not needed for playoff seeding. This allows all teams to play local and still compete in our post season play. For example, teams in El Paso are therefore not asked to travel hundreds of miles to play district games at neutral sites.
We use the MaxPreps ranking system to seed teams at the end of the season. MaxPreps favors teams who play a more competitive schedule. Thus, a team who has played all top 100 opponents a will rank higher than and undefeated team that has played all sub 100 ranked opponents.Â
Our rules do dictate that you must play a certain number of TAIAO teams if they happen to be within proximity of another TAIAO team. These scheduling rules are adjudicated by the Basketball Committee.
We have pool play at regional that is seeded by MaxPreps and the top teams travel to our state finals the following week. We feel strongly that our system is the most equitable from year to year through the annual division alignment and third party ranking system. Furthermore, we believe our system gives programs of varying sizes the ability to compete for titles.
If you would like to learn more about the TAIAO Basketball, please read our Basketball Sports Plan or contact our Basketball Committee