Our high school girl's basketball team is playing at the state tournament this week. Today is Monday....they play tomorrow. Classes this morning were good. By afternoon, I think everyone's attention was more on tomorrow's game.
But that is the excitement of playing at state.
I remember as a child going to the state tournament. And that continued through high school. Our girls' basketball team always went to the Thursday games. It was a fun time. I remember finding a place to eat in downtown Des Moines. Bishops sound familiar. Anybody remember that? As a teacher and parent, I cringe when I think about high school girls running around downtown Des Moines unsupervised, but sadly it is a different world now.
The girl's state tournament was one of those family vacation things that my dad took my brother and sister and me to. We would go down to the Friday night games. And also return home after the last game. Then for the Saturday night finals we would usually gather at my grandparent's house, cook some popcorn, and listen to Frosty Mitchell interview and comment on what the girl's daddies did for a living. And of course who doesn't remember the unforgettable voice of Jim Duncan? "The year was 1965....."
Those were the glory days of 6 on 6 basketball. No classes. Two dribbles. Half court. But oh so much fun to watch. The 16 blinking lights on the Vet's Auditorium map of Iowa. Every school in the state wanted to be the last blinking light. Stopping the game to put the spotlight on Governor Ray when he entered the auditorium. The high school boys dressed in tuxedos who mopped the floor. The Olberdings from Lake View. Connie Yori. Deb Coates. Lynn Lorenzen. Household names.
The state tournament has changed over the years. Now there are 5 classes in girl's basketball. The pomp and ceremony of the state tournament isn't the same. But it's still the state tournament. And the excitement is still alive.
Tomorrow most of the towns of Pocahontas, Rolfe, Pomeroy, Havelock, Plover, Laurens, and Marathon will be in Des Moines. And yes, there is a threat of bad weather (It is the Girls' State Tournament :)) People will be screaming to cheer on our well-deserving girls.
Basketball is just a sport. But it's one thing that can pull together people from all walks of life. Especially when you have the excitement of the state tournament surrounding you.
Go Indians!!
But that is the excitement of playing at state.
I remember as a child going to the state tournament. And that continued through high school. Our girls' basketball team always went to the Thursday games. It was a fun time. I remember finding a place to eat in downtown Des Moines. Bishops sound familiar. Anybody remember that? As a teacher and parent, I cringe when I think about high school girls running around downtown Des Moines unsupervised, but sadly it is a different world now.
The girl's state tournament was one of those family vacation things that my dad took my brother and sister and me to. We would go down to the Friday night games. And also return home after the last game. Then for the Saturday night finals we would usually gather at my grandparent's house, cook some popcorn, and listen to Frosty Mitchell interview and comment on what the girl's daddies did for a living. And of course who doesn't remember the unforgettable voice of Jim Duncan? "The year was 1965....."
Those were the glory days of 6 on 6 basketball. No classes. Two dribbles. Half court. But oh so much fun to watch. The 16 blinking lights on the Vet's Auditorium map of Iowa. Every school in the state wanted to be the last blinking light. Stopping the game to put the spotlight on Governor Ray when he entered the auditorium. The high school boys dressed in tuxedos who mopped the floor. The Olberdings from Lake View. Connie Yori. Deb Coates. Lynn Lorenzen. Household names.
The state tournament has changed over the years. Now there are 5 classes in girl's basketball. The pomp and ceremony of the state tournament isn't the same. But it's still the state tournament. And the excitement is still alive.
Tomorrow most of the towns of Pocahontas, Rolfe, Pomeroy, Havelock, Plover, Laurens, and Marathon will be in Des Moines. And yes, there is a threat of bad weather (It is the Girls' State Tournament :)) People will be screaming to cheer on our well-deserving girls.
Basketball is just a sport. But it's one thing that can pull together people from all walks of life. Especially when you have the excitement of the state tournament surrounding you.
Go Indians!!