It was a traditional moment linked to history. An instant classic if you will. For a few seconds anyway. Last Friday Bryon Clouse and the Hanover Central Wildcats’ boys basketball team were in two vans. Police cars and fire trucks led them out of Cedar Lake as they embarked on their trip to South Bend for the Class 3A regional. But as we’ve all learned in the last few days, things can dramatically change in an instant. “We got the message before we got to Main Street in Crown Point,” Hanover coach Bryon Clouse said. “It was a shock.” Instead of playing Mishawaka Marian in the first semifinal, the vans were turning around and heading home. The IHSAA postponed the tournament due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As of Tuesday, nothing had changed in a world where the news cycle seems to be about eight seconds. No Hoosier Hysteria. No cheerleaders. No packed gyms. Nothing. Nothing but unanswered questions. “Is this real?” “Why did they do this?” "What can be done to bring it back?” My heart breaks for every basketball player, coach and fan. Our local teams still alive in the tournament -- Valparaiso, Merrillville, Hanover Central, Hammond, Bowman Academy and 21st Century -- I don’t know what to say to you all. Something so treasured and wonderful just vanished in the blink of an eye. Clouse saw the writing on the wall. The NCAA cancelled the men’s and women’s basketball tournament, along with spring sports. All professional sports have been shut down. Bars and restaurants have been closed, along with schools almost everywhere. The IHSAA originally set up the regionals to be played with only 75 fans from each school present. But the spread of this frightening disease caused commissioner Bobby Cox to pull the plug on our great tournament that is in its 110th version. “I told our players this (the regional) might be it,” Clouse said. “So we wanted to go out on Saturday and play our best basketball of the year. I didn’t see how it could go past Saturday, not with everything going on.” So the Wildcats returned home and something incredible happened. The players went to the court at a teammates’ house. They laced up their sneakers and picked teams to play the game they love. “They wanted to play some basketball together one last time,” Clouse said. The Hammond Wildcats were the favorite at the South Bend Washington Regional. Coach Larry Moore Jr. was also on the bus with his team heading east. The message came and the bus turned around. The ‘Cats got back in time for lunch and to attend their last class. “This is bigger than high school basketball,” Moore Jr. said. “I feel shocked by what the country is going through, and the world, too. I’m just concerned for the health and safety for our families and friends. I want everyone to stay safe and healthy.” I believe the IHSAA is led by great people, folks who are doing their best in these very difficult times. I do not know if another net will be hung this season. I do not know if the spring sports season will ever be played. This is so sad. But Moore Jr. speaks for everyone in the basketball world. “I never thought I would love the word postponed so much,” he said. “So maybe we have some hope. Maybe something can happen.” That would be great, coach. I would much rather see police cars and firetrucks leading buses out of and into town in a community celebration. If things don’t change those vehicles could be moving in a much more somber direction. God help us all.
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Normal is now over.
Kaput. Past tense. Something seen in the rearview mirror. I can’t even believe I’m about to type this, but here goes nonetheless. The Indiana High School Athletic Association needs to finish the boys basketball state tournament in empty gyms. The same should take place for other prep events. The frightening and world-changing expansion of the Coronavirus is changing everything by the second. Tick. Tick. Tick. Consequently, Hoosier Hysteria should be played with fans staying at home, safe. On Saturday the regional round of the boys basketball tournament will take place. In Class 4A Merrillville will play Valparaiso at Michigan City. In 3A, Hanover Central will play Mishawaka Marian and Hammond battles Western in the other semifinal at South Bend Washington. Bowman Academy will play LaVille in the 2A tournament at North Judson. And in Class A, 21st Century will play Elkhart Christian at Triton. And all of the fans supporting these great teams should stay home. Stay safe. On March 6 the IHSAA released the following statement in regards to the dangerous breaths of the COVID-19 health crises. “The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. is aware of the case of COVID-19 in Marion County, IN that was reported this morning. We will continue to monitor the developments and listen to medical experts and if it becomes necessary to make adjustments to high school sporting events, we will work with our member schools to take every precaution to ensure a healthy and safe environment for everyone involved.” Since this was released, the sports world has changed dramatically. Like nothing these eyes, or your eyes, have ever seen. The NBA has suspended its season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. The NCAA announced that its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be played in mostly empty gyms. When March Madness makes a move this overwhelming, shouldn’t the state of Indiana do the same thing? I would say yes in the strongest language possible. This pandemic is sweeping the world downward and great traditions must adjust to keep people safe. The NBA and NCAA have chosen to put human beings in front of profits. The IHSAA should do the exact same thing. This is not normal, average or just a hiccup. This is a dash into a scary new place. Tom Hanks has the Coronavirus. Colleges across the country are now doing all teaching online. Chicago cancelled the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Ivy League cancelled its basketball tournaments. The SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12 will continue their basketball tournaments, but without fans in the stands. There are too many unknowns with the Coronavirus and its deadly spread. I believe we will defeat this plague in time. Our medical people are the best in the world and they are working hard to come up with better ways to test this and find a cure. But until that day comes, we need to find comfort in faith and family and living our lives in a new way. And not attending the Indiana boys basketball tournament is where we are today. We should all stay home. Stay safe. I hope the IHSAA agrees with me on this very important issue. sue. Yeah, we all be getting old. Or older.
This coming week the 110th Indiana boys basketball state tournament tips off. Hoosier Hysteria is older than cars, refrigerators, TVs, I-phones and Joe Biden. This madness in March has kept us all warm for generations. Expect more of the same in the next few weeks. The Region has a lot of heavy favorites in our local sectionals. But we all know that doesn’t always mean so much. We’ve all seen Hoosiers, and the upset specials have a historical pull to Indiana residents. There are big favorites. There will be upsets. There always are. So this is how I see it. Class A Kouts Sectional Gary’s 21st Century is the heavy favorite. These Cougars are deep and good. Johnell Davis is one of the best players in the state. And they will be coming together for coach Rodney Williams, who will step down after this season. As long as this team doesn’t do a 2011 Bowman Academy, the 21C will cut down the nets. But host Kouts on a Saturday night will be a tough out. Class 2A Bowman Academy Sectional This is the toughest field to pick locally. Defending state champion Andrean is still good, but the talent losses in a year bring the 59ers back to the field. A solid Lake Station team will get to the final while Andrean, Bishop Noll, Bowman and Marquette Catholic battle it out on the other side. Which team will put together a great week of ball? This one’s tough. I am going to go with the host Eagles. Home cooking always tastes good. Class 3A Hammond Sectional And speaking of home cooking and wonderful things that are old, the Hammond Civic Center will be rocking this week and purple will be everywhere. The Hammond Wildcats are the best team and they might be the second-best squad, too. Coach Larry Moore Jr. and his staff have put together a great program that is looking for nets to cut down outside of the home town. Hanover Central Sectional The host Wildcats are 21-2 and need to beat Kankakee Valley (9-13) and Knox (12-10) to get to Saturday night. Coach Bryon Clouse’s team cut down the nets last year, for only the second time in school history, and the ‘Cats should do it again. But it will not be easy. Class 4A East Chicago Sectional Munster (21-1) is the best team in this tough tournament and Mike Hackett’s fellas got the bye, too. But with Merrillville (9-12), E.C. Central (11-11), Highland (12-11), Lake Central (12-11) and West Side (12-8), all solid programs with good talent, arriving at the same gym this week, this is going to be a lot of fun to watch. The tickets will be sold. The popcorn will be popped. And Munster will move on. Valparaiso Sectional Chesterton (21-2) has the best record and Valparaiso (15-8) got the best draw. On February 21st Chesterton beat Valpo by three in Chesterton. Expect these two programs to play again on Saturday night. This will be the best game on Saturday night. Three points or less. I’m going with Marc Urban’s Trojans in a nail-biter. Jake Wadding is the best player in this gym and he will find a way. So that’s how I see it. Now, where are my Nikes and Preparation H? It’s been 110 years. Wow. |
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March 2020
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