The winter sports season is already here and basketball season tips off in full on Friday. It comes just six days after we crowned the last state champions of the fall season…so much for having some time off.
As Friday’s games inch closer, I’ve found myself struggling to get pumped up for basketball. Maybe it’s because the fall sports season was another grueling one, filled with long days and late nights. Or, maybe it’s because nothing that happens between December 1 and February 24 on the hardwood really matters in the grand scheme of things.
Just take this quote from Wichita Collegiate head coach Mitch Fiegel last year following their regular season finale.
“There’s no such thing as a must-win game in the regular season,” he said. “Those are 20 practice games.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve pulled out this quote, and as long as the system stays the way it is, it probably won’t be the last.
You know why? Because he is right.
Each team, regardless of their record, gets to participate in the postseason. The regular season is really just in place to see where you get seeded at an already determined site (Click here for sub-state assignments).
The fact the governing body can determine where a team will play in March before the regular season has even started is beyond me.
In addition to the last three state championships, Wichita Heights has also been crowned City League champs. But what does that mean for the postseason? Were the Falcons awarded a first-round bye or home court advantage following their undefeated regular season? No. They had to travel to Washburn Rural in their second game to play Wichita Southeast for a trip to state.
Sure, the regular season will provide us with good matchups, like Perry Ellis versus Conner Frankamp on Friday. I just want the outcome of this game to mean something at the end of the regular season. Is that so much to ask?
As Friday’s games inch closer, I’ve found myself struggling to get pumped up for basketball. Maybe it’s because the fall sports season was another grueling one, filled with long days and late nights. Or, maybe it’s because nothing that happens between December 1 and February 24 on the hardwood really matters in the grand scheme of things.
“There’s no such thing as a must-win game in the regular season,” he said. “Those are 20 practice games.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve pulled out this quote, and as long as the system stays the way it is, it probably won’t be the last.
You know why? Because he is right.
Each team, regardless of their record, gets to participate in the postseason. The regular season is really just in place to see where you get seeded at an already determined site (Click here for sub-state assignments).
The fact the governing body can determine where a team will play in March before the regular season has even started is beyond me.
In addition to the last three state championships, Wichita Heights has also been crowned City League champs. But what does that mean for the postseason? Were the Falcons awarded a first-round bye or home court advantage following their undefeated regular season? No. They had to travel to Washburn Rural in their second game to play Wichita Southeast for a trip to state.
Sure, the regular season will provide us with good matchups, like Perry Ellis versus Conner Frankamp on Friday. I just want the outcome of this game to mean something at the end of the regular season. Is that so much to ask?
