AHSAA Brings Central Basketball Regionals Back to Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has officially signed an agreement with Alabama State University (ASU) to host the Central and South Regional basketball tournaments in Montgomery for the next three years (2025, 2026, and 2027).

Tournament Locations

The Central Regional will take place at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome, which boasts a seating capacity of 7,400, while the South Regional will be held at Garrett Coliseum. AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs expressed enthusiasm about the decision, stating, “This is great news, especially for our schools qualifying for the regional from Southwest Alabama. No longer will those schools have to drive past Montgomery, thus reducing travel and increasing the opportunity for more fans from those schools to attend. We are very appreciative of ASU and the City of Montgomery for stepping forward for our member schools.”

A Return to Tradition

Alabama State University has a rich history as a host site for regional tournaments since the format was introduced in 1994. Although ASU opted out of hosting during the Covid pandemic, the last two years saw the Central Regional held at the Birmingham CrossPlex Bill Harris Arena, while the South Regional remained in Montgomery.

Dr. Jason Cable, Athletic Director at Alabama State University, said, “We are excited to host the Regional AHSAA tournament on our campus. This is a great opportunity to expose the local and state community to our institution.” He also extended gratitude to Alvin Briggs and the OEM team for their collaborative efforts.

Community Impact

Brandon Dean, former director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association (AHSADCA) and now the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Montgomery, highlighted the significance of bringing the tournaments back. “This means at least 52 different fan bases and communities will be returning to the City of Montgomery and the campus of Alabama State University each year of the agreement,” he noted.

Other Regional Locations

The Northeast and Northwest Regional basketball tournaments have been successfully hosted at Jacksonville State University and Wallace-Hanceville Community College for over 30 years, respectively. While the South and Central Regionals have primarily been held in Montgomery, they have also seen various venues, including Bay Minette, Mobile, Troy, and Dothan.