HORIZONS

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SCOTT NUSS
I know “March Madness” is still a little better than a month away, but basketball is pretty much consuming my life right now, so, likewise, it’s time for a basketball column.

Back in my high school days, I was always very critical of our crowd at Hillsboro High School games. If I wasn’t complaining about how many people were or weren’t there, I was complaining about how the student section seemed to be the only people getting loud.

Though I’m still doing the same thing at Pratt, I’ve grown up a little bit, and I’ve started spending more time thinking about the quality of basketball at each level.

I recently put in a little time at the Trojan Classic, where it didn’t take long for me to be reminded of how lucky Hillsboro and the other teams in the tournament really are.

This year’s classic was great. Having schools like Hillsboro, Hesston, Riley County, Belleville and Thomas More Prep in the same mid-season tournament is something to brag about.

Those who chose to show up for the Trojan Classic definitely saw high school basketball in what I’m convinced is its finest form.

I’ve always enjoyed high school basketball. Sure, there may not be a dunk every other time down the court, but I’m convinced the fundamentals of the game are more present in high school basketball than at any other level of the sport.

Of course, one of the other levels of basketball I’m exposed to on a day-to-day basis is junior college ball. In juco basketball, it’s not quality of basketball that matters, it’s style points. Every team seems to have at least one player who is convinced he is NBA quality.

Pratt recently traveled to Garden City, where this idea is nothing but true. Not only does the entire Garden City team seem to think they’re playing in the NBA, they have the mouths to prove it.

The GC fans took full advantage of the lack of a sportsmanship rule in the game I saw. With 15 seconds left they started singing “Good-bye.” But what astounded me was the after about two times through, the tubas and trombones in the band started playing it, and two or so more times through, the entire band picked up on it.

While it was a great idea, I couldn’t believe the big smile on the athletic director’s face when he talked to the band director after the game.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, but I’m convinced that if you spend enough time with a junior college basketball team at any level, then sooner or later you will see it all.

The other level of basketball I’ve been exposed to recently came when I paid a visit to my next school and caught the Southwestern vs. Sterling basketball game in Winfield.

For many of you reading this, you’re familiar with KCAC basketball from attending Tabor’s games. But for me this was the first KCAC game I’ve seen in a number of years and I liked what I saw.

First, I loved having Metallica played before the ball game instead of the rap and hip-hop music that dominates the junior college basketball world. To me, it showed the school actually had some values behind it, but it also set a completely different mood in the gym and at the ball game.

As far as my assessment of the basketball I saw, it was obvious that the men and women I saw on that court had the brains and common sense that the kids I see on the junior college court don’t have.

While I’ll agree with those who complain about the loose officiating at KCAC games, I liked the fact that the two teams I saw were able to adjust their play accordingly rather than let the officials bring them down.

It was definitely a treat to see smart, fundamental basketball played at the college level.

I haven’t been to an NCAA game yet this year, so I can’t really comment on that level, but I heard somebody suggest the other day that the NBA should raise its goals a foot or so. While I know it will never happen, I think it’s a great idea. I think the big guys in the NBA have it way too easy.

Something needs to be done to make them work a little bit.

On a final side note, at last check, Trojan boys are 13-0, and it sounds like they may finally be starting to play the basketball they’re capable of.

Best of luck to them, and to all the teams in the Free Press reading area.

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