Shootin’ the Stars: The creatures were stirring … and all through the gym

Shootin’ the Stars: The creatures were stirring … and all through the gym

 

By Mike Beas

Twas the nights before Christmas, which seemed the appropriate time to scrawl a last-minute wish list regarding high school basketball for Santa to peruse at his leisure.

Can’t claim to be much of cook, so the cookies left for the big guy are store-bought (he might want to check the expiration date), and, hopefully, somewhat edible.

Anyway, here goes.

Once the calendar rolls into 2025, roughly half of the boys and girls basketball seasons will be in the books. Therefore, we’ll call these shots deeps 3s rather than half-courters:

Hopefully, the trend of first-time state champions continues so athletes, coaches and fan base alike can bask in a day to never forget.

Girls state champions from the 2023-2024 season were Lanesville (Class 1A), Fort Wayne Luers (2A), Gibson Southern (3A) and Lawrence Central (4A).

Prior to that quartet of net-cuttings, these programs not named Luers had combined to claim a total of one title.

A month later, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Brownstown Central, Scottsburg and Fishers took scissors to net.

Combined previous championships: Zilch.

The multi-class postseason setup was supposed to give more schools the opportunity to win a state championship. So far, so good. Here’s hoping for some new faces this time around, too.

We need consistency with the way postseasons are drawn up.

I’m reaching on this one, but even in this, the 28^th season of class hoops, the way sectionals, regionals and semistates are set up continue to be set up is . . . confusing. And, at times, infuriating.

Nothing says longtime backyard rivalries like Franklin and Whiteland being forced to make the drive to East Central for a week of Class 4A sectional action. That’s only one example. There are plenty more throughout the state in all classes that seem to make little to no sense geographically.

The most obvious drawback to ridding us of a single-class system is a lack of both familiarity and consistency. Fluctuating school enrollments push programs up or down a class, forcing those being paid handsomely to play the shell game every couple of years.

Know who benefits most? Gas stations everywhere.

Postseason traditions in Indiana are on life support if not already bound for the nearest cemetery. Gas isn’t cheap, so, in many fans just find other things to do.

Move the State Finals out of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Wait. What? Sorry, but watching 5,000 fans file into such a massive structure is not only depressing, it’s a slap in the face to the history this state worked decades to achieve.

Indiana has something like 19 of the country’s 20 largest high school gymnasiums. Use them. Pick five to 10 of the premier facilities for the girls and boys finals, giving that city’s economy a shot in the arm in the process as fans using gas stations, stores, motels, restaurants, etc.

Maybe have the girls’ finals in New Castle one year and Seymour or Warsaw the next. Same format with the boys, who could have Lafayette Jeff rolling out the red-carpet one March and Bedford North Lawrence the next.

It’s all about atmosphere, folks, and when what noise is actually being made is floating to the rafters of a building that’s far more conducive to Pacers, Fever or NCAA Tournament games, it’s time to rethink things.

I know. I know. Someone in southern Indiana driving to Warsaw – or vice versa – is going to cost those persons some bucks, also. The difference is, it’s a State Finals, which ups the incentive aplenty.

What to do about the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series?

Still percolating on this one. Another column for another day. I just know the way I’m leaning is going to make some people mad.

In the meantime, Happy Holidays, everyone.