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IHSA Boys Basketball Finals to remain in Champaign thru 2029
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<blockquote data-quote="hoopsfan47" data-source="post: 2075941" data-attributes="member: 4716"><p>Some of the most vivid memories of my life were attending the three state tournaments in Assembly Hall in 63-65. I was there for the first and will never forget the Anthony Smedley miracle. Having lost to Centralia in the sectional finals in a game I played very little, we could not imagine there could be a team that could beat the Orphans when all was on the line. </p><p></p><p>IIRC, there were 812 teams who entered the tournament in 1965. Being the state champ really was a dream for maybe 35000 or more Illinois high school basketball players...and it certainly was one of mine. All-State teams included 16-30 chosen by the Chicago Daily News, Tribune, Sun Times, and the Rockford Star....and it meant something special to each player honored. </p><p></p><p>Every seat at The Assembly Hall was filled and the fans for the 8 finalists were loud and rabid. Even for the final game, with only two left, everyone was pulling for someone. All the title games I witnessed were close and well played. It was an experience for which the IHSA should strive every year. And I could not agree more that the fading interest is due mostly to the effort to give every player a state title trophy. That is simply a view for the uneducated and those who never were good enough to win or even participate at a higher level. You cannot legislate excellence, and winning a state title against 812 other teams is unquestionable excellence. Two-class titles was watered down in my eyes, but it was still exciting . Unfortunately, a return to excellence is likely not to be.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="hoopsfan47, post: 2075941, member: 4716"] Some of the most vivid memories of my life were attending the three state tournaments in Assembly Hall in 63-65. I was there for the first and will never forget the Anthony Smedley miracle. Having lost to Centralia in the sectional finals in a game I played very little, we could not imagine there could be a team that could beat the Orphans when all was on the line. IIRC, there were 812 teams who entered the tournament in 1965. Being the state champ really was a dream for maybe 35000 or more Illinois high school basketball players...and it certainly was one of mine. All-State teams included 16-30 chosen by the Chicago Daily News, Tribune, Sun Times, and the Rockford Star....and it meant something special to each player honored. Every seat at The Assembly Hall was filled and the fans for the 8 finalists were loud and rabid. Even for the final game, with only two left, everyone was pulling for someone. All the title games I witnessed were close and well played. It was an experience for which the IHSA should strive every year. And I could not agree more that the fading interest is due mostly to the effort to give every player a state title trophy. That is simply a view for the uneducated and those who never were good enough to win or even participate at a higher level. You cannot legislate excellence, and winning a state title against 812 other teams is unquestionable excellence. Two-class titles was watered down in my eyes, but it was still exciting . Unfortunately, a return to excellence is likely not to be. [/QUOTE]
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IHSA Boys Basketball Finals to remain in Champaign thru 2029
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