Four-class system delivers big thrills

Two, squared. Four classes instead of two.

Has the IHSA's new, four-class system been twice as nice?

That, of course, depends heavily upon who you ask. And the jury is not only out on that question; this jury hasn't even been seated.

But these last four weekends of state basketball tournament action have been undeniably exciting -- not to mention memorable, eventful and highly enjoyable to follow. Every weekend has popped with great stories -- from highlights to heartbreaks.

In terms of drama and overall interest, more has been merrier, indeed.

It's been different, for sure. And it will still take a little getting used to. But as I've maintained ever since this controversial four-class proposal was put up for vote several years ago, expansion is a good move. It looks even more so now. The furor and debate continue, but I'm convinced a four-class tournament can be first class.

The basketball purists and traditionalists remain skeptical. And these include many of my favorite people -- fellow media colleagues and many of our area basketball coaches whom we interview frequently and whose opinions I regard highly.

They all share a similar sentiment in their disdain for this new, "watered-down" format and strongly disapprove of the dilution they believe is a byproduct of the four-class system.

I understand their thinking, but I still can't get on board with the thought.

It's tough to diminish the accomplishments of four state champions. Go ahead and say there is no "true" champion in the tradition of one state, one title. But there were 716 schools entered in the boys tourney this year. In Class 3A and 4A each champion was the best in a 164-team field.

In a few weeks the NCAA will crown a national champion from a tournament field of 65 teams, but you never hear about the field being diluted.

Long-time friend and high school hoops guru Joe Henricksen of City/Suburban Hoops Report -- a staunch opponent of expansion from the start -- argues that the four-class system yields a quartet of champions that aren't representative of the state's best teams.

Case in point -- most observers feel Simeon and Marshall are the top two teams. Yet, they were paired in the 3A championship, leaving Class 4A -- the largest class -- with a perceived lesser champion.

While it's intriguing to ponder the possibilities of a wrapup weekend for both boys and girls tournaments that would pit the champions in Class 1A vs. 2A and Class 3A vs. 4A, that only serves to crown a champion twice. And that's what the critics opposed in the first place -- awarding too many championships!

Joe and others who claim four classes are uneven and produce an unclear champion have a valid point. But it's also a flawed contention that's based on hypotheticals. Sports are hardly perfect, and it's not always the best team that wins. It's the team that plays better and showcases itself as the best team at that particular time.

Look no further than the New England Patriots. Best team. But the Giants were better on Super Sunday. Heck, just look back a few hours. Illinois had no business beating Purdue -- a much better team -- but did.

No such thing as a "true" champion. If the No. 1 team were annointed the title, sports would be a yawn.

Instead, the four-class system gave us an all-access ticket to a new world of excitement and possibilities. Man, was it great being a fan these last few weeks. In Class 4A the East Aurora sectional was as deep and competitive as perhaps it's ever been, with underdogs and upsets galore.

Big matchups came earlier, with fewer of the ho-hum, early-round blowouts. And how about the Chicago Public League? For years they were under-represented downstate with just one team in the Elite Eight. This year they walked home with two championships -- North Lawndale (2A) and Marshall (3A).

Call it watered-down or whatever, but nobody who watched the Class 4A semifinal between Evanston and Zion-Benton was shortchanged. That was as spectacular a finish as you'll see in any sport, any time when Ronald Steward's midcourt steal and 42-foot bank shot at the buzzer produced a 54-51 win for Zion-Benton.

When the doubts die down, and the detractors come around in their thinking, it's moments like those that will be remembered. Just give this crazy four-class thing some time.