Ok I admit it; I'm a hypocrite, but only on one subject… class basketball. Let me explain. I'm against the "everyone gets a ribbon” mentality that is so pervasive in society. I believe competition is important and the ability to learn and grow from success and failure helps make for a more rounded and self-confident adult. With that as a basis, I then have to be against class basketball… right?
 
Background on me and the one class state tourney... My fondest memories of basketball don't come from playing at IU or coaching at IU or Bowling Green. They come from playing and watching the one class state tourney. The absolute best day of the year was Regional Saturday at Gary West Side High School. My dad brother and an assortment of friends would get to the games early sit in awe of guys like Rich Valavicious, Jon Chones, Willie Peterson, and Elijah Clark. These are names you might not know but legends to me.
 
After the morning doubleheader, we'd head straight to Koney King, sit at the counter and devour as many dogs as possible and rehash all that we just saw. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing hoops in someone’s driveway then head back to West Side for the final...greatest days EVER.
 
That day is gone now for kids, and I hate it! I wish every kid could experience that day. This is where my hypocrisy shows. Instead of more kids having the day I described, more kids get to participate. More students get to root for their school. More schools get to swell up with pride…that can’t be a bad thing.
 
We all learn from our experiences. Zionsville High School hadn't won a sectional game in… forever. This year my son hit 4 free throws in the last 20 seconds to help Zville beat Fishers. I realized then I didn't care whether it was one class, four class or twenty class. This was the Indiana State Tourney and Zionsville was moving on.

I learned that it really didn't matter. Kids were on the court busting their backsides chasing a dream just like I did, and all the legends that I idolized...and I loved it!