AURORA – The tensions overseas has reached into Colorado will have an impact on the Class 3A State Basketball Championships.

If the Basalt girls team – the only area squad to qualify for the quarterfinal rounds – hoists a trophy this weekend, it won’t be at the Air Force Academy, but it will be in Colorado Springs.

The Colorado High School Activities Association has moved the tournament from the Air Force Academy to Widefield High School due to the heightened security restrictions imposed on the Air Force Academy due to the current international climate, CHSAA Commissioner Bill Reader announced Monday.

“The uncertainty of the current international situation created a difficult situation for the Air Force Academy to host the tournament,” Reader said. “Fans would have had to be bused onto the facility after going through a screening process off the facility.

“This would have been a great disruption to the participating teams, the fans and officials,” he added. “It also would have created another challenge for the Academy personnel, given the number of fans that attend.”

The playing schedule will remain the same, with Basalt beginning play against Estes Park at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, and will continue on the same dates as previously determined. The semifinals are slated for Friday and the Championship is Saturday.

“We appreciate the hospitality afforded to us by Widefield High School at this late date. We had notified our participating schools that this might be a possibility. Now that it has happened, we anticipate a smooth transition to the new site. We intend to return to the Air Force Academy in 2004,” Reader said.

Directions to Widefield High School (from I-25): Take Security Exit 135 and turn East on Academy Blvd. Stay right toward US85/Fountain/Security/Widefield. Turn right on US85/S US85-87/S US-87. Turn left on Main Street and then right on Norman Drive. Continue on to Widefield Drive and turn right to the school.