A lotto style random draw is the deciding factor in breaking the three-way logjam atop the Western 13C boys’ basketball conference as the District playoff tournament gets underway this Thursday through Saturday in Frenchtown.

St. Regis head basketball coach Jesse Allan said the random draw, which was determined before the season started in the event of a tie at the top, gives the number one seed to Lincoln, which finished 10-1 in conference play, losing only to Noxon. 

Noxon, which also finished 10-1, its only conference loss being to St. Regis, was drawn for the number two spot, while St. Regis, the other team in the mix with a 10-1 conference mark (having lost to Lincoln) was chosen third. 

“Unfortunately, because we all beat each other it goes to the random lottery drawn before the season’s school year started,” Allan said. 

The tournament is the first for the newly expanded Western 13C, which merged this past offseason with the former 14C conference, of which St. Regis and Noxon were members, creating a field of 12 teams. 

Tournament play gets underway Thursday morning at Frenchtown High School’s gym.