indiana territory

HOOSIER HYSTERIA??

Excuse me. I was watching TV last night when a commercial came on announcing it was almost time for "Hoosier Hysteria" - you know, Indiana High School Basketball. Is that so? Obviously, I am a fan of the days before class basketball - you know - back when it had "class."

Oh, dear, I believe that might be considered a cheap shot . . . from the 3-point line. Well, I have all the respect in the world for high school athletes that go out and practice and work hard and have a good time doing it. I once interviewed a fellow named Ray Grocock from Avilla who was one of the area's best players - and I was quite impressed. Then another time I did an article on Bud Smith who played for Kendallville and he laughed about some of the tiny gyms they played in back then.

My dad played basketball in high school - at Kingman High School in Fountain County. They were sectional champs in 1936. I once saw Marty Johnson when I was walking into the "Y" shortly after we moved here and said, "I think you look familiar."

He said, "I'm the basketball coach at East Noble . . . " Of course - that's why I thought I knew him." I told him that bit about my dad and he laughed and said, "That long ago, he could say he was the star player who won the game single-handedly."

Gee, typing that, I realized this moment I am thinking about something that was 70 years ago. Well, my dad died 6 years ago this Tuesday and Kingman hasn't had a high school in a long, long time.

We had a private visitation for my dad in Kingman for family and close friends. One tall man came in, older. He had gone to school with my father and had been a state senator. He told me about how when he was a freshman some boys were picking on him and my dad told them to leave him alone; if they had a problem, to take him on.

He talked about my dad being an honorable person that way. I think he was right. He apologized for not going to the cemetery because he was just getting over pneumonia. Right before he left, he said, "He was a heck of a good basketball player, too." I think he was exaggerating. I think my dad was on the bench a lot; but I think also he probably gave it his best. Maybe that's what the gentleman was talking about, but the point of the matter is that for that generation in the middle of the Depression, basketball was important - and he wanted me to know Daddy had been okay.

I remember going to games with my dad when he was a teacher at Michigantown High School. I was five. I remember watching the sectionals and regionals and semi-state and state. I remember us watching IU basketball. And, yes, he liked the General. Now, at times, he couldn't agree with a couple of things Coach Knight did - and he knew that. And I knew it . . . and he knew I knew it. Maybe we spoke of it once - when he recalled Knight being rough with a player in front of his parents in the stands.

But, I don't think Daddy ever thought Mr. Knight meant anything bad; I think he believed he was caught up in the passion and the intensity of the contest.

I started out light-hearted on a fake rant on the passing of the up for grabs State Championship and wound up serious, remembering people and things that were.

I understand the point of the little schools not having to compete with the big ones, but I miss it . . . and to tell you the truth, I think they do too.

posted by Jody @ 7:43 PM