By Andy Walter

DOVER — When the DIAA boys’ basketball state tournament bracket was released on Friday, Polytech High wasn’t on it.

But when the tourney actually begins on Tuesday night, the Panthers will be on the court.

A discrepancy in the number of games played by an opponent led to Polytech earning the No. 24 seed in the 24-team tournament, which begins tonight with eight first-round contests at 7 p.m.

The Panthers (10-10) will play at Henlopen North rival Dover (17-3), the No. 9 seed, in tonight’s contest.

Polytech first contacted the DIAA state tourney committee on Thursday night to say that there might be an issue. The school then filled out paperwork to appeal the situation.

It’s unclear when the decision was made and when Polytech and Delcastle (9-11), which was the original No. 24 seed, were told that the appeal had been granted.

The DIAA sent out an email officially announcing the change to the bracket at 7:23 p.m. on Monday.

The issue was the number of games played by Cristo Rey High. The Panthers beat the Brooklyn, N.Y. school at a tournament at St. Elizabeth on Dec. 28.

To be counted as an official game by the DIAA tournament point system, an opponent has to have played more than 14 games. Cristo Rey originally reported that it had played only 14 games this season, but had actually played at least 18.

With the added points, Polytech tied with Delcastle and Mt. Pleasant for the No. 24 spot. Since the three teams didn’t all face each other, the tiebreaker was their record against common opponents — in this case, Hodgson.

Since the Panthers beat Hodgson, 53-52, on Feb. 19 while Delcastle and Mt. Pleasant both lost to the Silver Eagles, Polytech was awarded the spot in the tournament.

Follow Andy Walter on Twitter at @DSNSports.