High school basketball has been hijacked

TomM · March 17, 2014, 07:55:40 AM

High school basketball has been hijacked (Illinois article)
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/26196072-419/high-school-basketball-has-been-hijacked.html

imnofish · March 17, 2014, 08:06:58 AM

My father, who was successful as a basketball AND wrestling coach (also football and track), predicted decades ago that the values promoted by professional athletics would eventually filter down through the college, high school, and youth athletic ranks, to the detriment of sports in general. Looks like he was right, unfortunately.

bigG · March 18, 2014, 07:59:02 PM

My pops was in football, basketball, boxing and baseball in HS. Captain of each his senior year. Coached countless teams of all those (minus boxing... he boxed me, though

). My dad's a good coach. Hated the way the pros ended up rollin'. But, he'll still watch the Superbowl, World Series and NBA champs.

imnofish · March 18, 2014, 10:22:56 PM

My dad's and grandpas' generations did a lot of boxing. My dad and his brothers boxed, as did my mom's brothers. One uncle was a golden gloves champ and would have turned pro, if he hadn't turned diabetic. One grandpa was a pro boxer, during the depression years. I always enjoyed looking at the history of boxing, as displayed in the UW Fieldhouse.

bigG · March 19, 2014, 06:22:36 AM

Me, too. It's easy to forget boxing was a very popular high school and college sport not that long ago.

I think my dad would agree that wrestling is the sport he'd rather I do, than boxing.

imnofish · March 19, 2014, 09:46:34 AM

My cousin lived in Nevada and did both. Made the finals in golden gloves and state wrestling. Tough dude!

bigG · March 19, 2014, 05:04:45 PM

Some folks are just drawn to the contact sports. I was one, my dad was one; my brother, not so much.

MNbadger · March 25, 2014, 08:06:42 AM

I agree about the professional stuff filtering down. We have watched it happen. I often argue with my wrestling brethren who lament "why can't we be like collegiated football/basketball". I tell them; "I hope we never are".

imnofish · March 25, 2014, 09:08:16 AM

I agree, MNb. Wrestling retains more of its original, authentic qualities that make it great, because there has been no successful transition into a professional equivalent.