News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Opinion

June 11, 2012

READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2012

TERRE HAUTE —

Time to fix state’s hoops tourney

I am writing this letter because of my love of high school basketball and my desire to see it return to its place of prominence in Indiana. I retired from coaching in 2011 after 25 years as a head basketball coach. I am very fortunate to have participated as both a player and coach in the state championship game.

In 1996, the IHSAA, directed by its member schools, decided that basketball was no more important than baseball, volleyball or softball in our state. Instead of doing some homework and exploring every avenue, they took the easy road and grouped schools into four classes and said “we’re done.” Many longtime rivalries were gone in an instant. Fans that had followed high school basketball for decades now were faced with the task of unraveling the new formats for regional and semistate rounds. Many still don’t know how this currently works.  

I spent 10 years coaching at 1A and 2A schools. At those schools you just hope for a fair opportunity to win a sectional. You just want a chance. Too many schools had almost zero chance. The small school got sent to the nearest big school with the largest gym which, by the way, gave the big school home court advantage. That could have been addressed with a little creativity. Instead, we got what we have now.

My plan would be to play class sectionals as we do now, however, seed and relocate teams so we don’t have two top-ranked teams meeting in the first round. Feed all winners into 16 regionals followed by four semi-states and one state finals. Schools of all sizes have a chance to advance and play each other. A committee of former and current coaches along with former players, etc., could iron out all of the details.

This is Indiana. Home of John Wooden, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird and yes, the 1954 Milan Indians. Basketball is our history, our fabric and an inseparable part of so many of us. Let’s take what we remember from our past and what we’ve learned from the past 15 years and create an even better tournament, a tournament with one state champion.

— Steve Goddard

Spencer

Event for Riley a huge success

We would like to extend a great big thank you to all who donated, sponsored and worked to help out for our seventh annual Run For Riley Kids. It was a great success. Our group was asked to ride up front as VIPs in the Miracle Ride last weekend after we donated $3,722.

Again, thank you for all of your help.

— Judy England

Brazil


 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment Today in History May 22 Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News