Mistake By Tourney Director Led To Bears’ Uniform Mix Up

RISON - The Woodlawn Bears ended up playing their final game of the season last Friday  wearing the home uniforms of the Poyen Indians.Woodlawn Coach Logan Adair said he contacted the tournament director at Poyen about what uniforms they should wear in Friday’s quarterfinal matchup with the Barton Bears. Woodlawn went into the game as the no. 4 seed from Region 4 while Barton was the no. 3 seed from Region 3.Typically in the football playoffs, the higher seeded team is considered the home team. Adair said the Poyen officials told him that Woodlawn would be the away team since it was the lower seed.However, when the two teams showed up for warm-ups, it was apparent that both teams were wearing their dark uniforms. Adair said the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) directors informed the Poyen officials that in basketball, the team on top of the bracket is the home team, regardless of the seeding. Since Woodlawn was on top in the bracket, they were the home team.Adair said the Poyen officials admitted their error to the AAA and no penalty was applied. In some instances, a technical foul could be called on the team not in compliance. The announcers streaming the game online eluded to that before the start.Since Woodlawn had not brought their home uniforms, Adair said Poyen offered theirs. After a few minutes of warming up in their Woodlawn uniforms, the Bears went into the lockers and emerged in Poyen’s white uniforms with purple and gold trim. ...