Indiana is known for its’ state boys basketball tournament. Nothing has captured the interest of Hoosiers for generations like sectional week.
Old-timers have their favorite memories about the days whole communities would get behind their local high school team and tickets were hard to find. Each school was allotted so many tickets and principals had to decide who would get the treasured tickets.
The gyms were full with fans hoping to see their team handed the trophy.
For me and my sectional memories, three tournaments stand out.
I was a seventh grader when I watched Waynetown beat Crawfordsville for the sectional crown in 1970. From my seat at the top of the student pep block, I watched the Gladiators make the plays in the improbable win. A local hero was born that game when substitute Kim Suiters entered the game and tallied 21 points. What made it even more dramatic was that Waynetown’s best player, Jeff Springer, fouled out early in the second half. Keeping Springer in the game after he got his fourth foul was not one of coach Fred Johnson’s best decision. He has admitted the same to me with a smile on his face.
As was always the case in pre-consolidation sectionals, the championship game ended up being the Athenians versus all the fans from the county. Fans from all over were standing and cheering as the Gladiators won in the final seconds. It did not matter if you were from Ladoga, New Market, New Ross, Linden or Coal Creek, you cheered for the county school. The small school fans banded together on championship night.
I was thrilled to see the town’s fire truck lead the team to the Waynetown High School gym where the whole town gathered to greet the victors. After the pep session everyone went downtown for a bonfire and free drinks at the restaurant owned by Ginny Burley.
The fact the game would be the last small town championship before consolidation did not go through my mind that night. Today that thought is a source of pride for this ol’ Waynetown guy.
I do believe, if Darlington would not have been sent to play at the Lebanon Sectional that year, the Indians would have been crowned champions. A lot of county basketball fans would agree with me, I am sure.
The next sectional championship I hold close to my heart is the 1974 North Montgomery sectional. A sold-out Charger Gym was roaring when Charger Roger Campbell hit a shot from the top of the key that gave the championship to the home team and sent the Athenians packing.
After Crawfordsville had won the first two sectionals at North Montgomery, the win against the “city” team was oh-so-sweet.
The third sectional I remember with fond memory occurred one year later in 1975. I was a senior at North Montgomery and at one time the Chargers’ record was 2-8 and the team was struggling. However, Coach Chuck Kriston got the team turned around and hot at the right time.
North beat Crawfordsville in the semi-final game when Corky Vail hit a long shot to give the Chargers the win over the favorite Athenians. That shot propelled the team to the championship win over Southwestern the next evening.
Every county has similar stories as mine above. Today, there are so many things for people to do and students are working or just not interested. The crowds are smaller. After being eliminated, teams don’t go watch the remaining sectional games. It is not the same and it never will be.
But, one thing that has remained the same is the dream of players and coaches who want to cut down the nets on championship night.
Dreams will come true in the next few days all over the state. There will be upsets somewhere and many favorites will win. Memories to last a lifetime will be made.
Good for you players, coaches and fans who still care. Cherish those memories.
Bob Cox is the sports coordinator for the Journal Review.
