A change in basketball play and adding bowling as a championship sport were two big highlights at today’s Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control meeting in Montgomery.

According to a press release, the board voted to change the current regional basketball playoff schedule from a one-week tournament to one that would be played in parts of two weeks beginning with the 2014-15 season. The new format became necessary after the seven-classification format was approved, requiring more days to complete the regional.

“The current schedule didn’t allow enough time between rounds of the basketball playoffs,” said Executive Director Steve Savarese. “The new schedule provides for our schools some much needed space between the completion of the region tournament and the start of the state tournament.“

Additionally, the change will also allow schools more flexibility with area tournament play.

Regional tournaments will be played between Wed., Feb. 11 and Thurs., Feb. 19. The state tournament will be held from Feb. 23-28 at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham.

Time will be given to schools who are interested in forming bowling teams, as the championship sport won’t get going until the 2015-16 school year.

Bowling will be established as a winter sport.