Time for fans to revel in annual gift of tourneys
A smooth-sounding Andy Williams wasn't singing about Illinois high school basketball fans when he deemed this "the most wonderful time of the year."
But it definitely is for those who can't get enough boys or girls hoops. A wonderful time from Carpentersville to Centralia and Fox Lake to Pekin.
This is when high school basketball fans receive their annual gift of days filled with games and chances to watch teams from all over the area and state. A gift which beats grandma's yearly package of socks.
One where dramatic comebacks, fantastic finishes and incredible performances all come unwrapped. There are plenty of surprises - a few of which people would love to return.
But the excitement of four or five days of playing for a trophy provides a perfect break a month into a long winter.
Some teams may reaffirm the promise they had before the season started. Others may finally gain some much-needed momentum which had been missing.
A couple of losses can suddenly put a team at a crossroads. Suddenly being forced to play early-morning games in front of sparse gatherings can be a true character test.
But how you finish isn't necessarily an indication of the future. One year Libertyville and the incredible Matt Heldman went from playing in the 15th-place game at Wheeling to the Sweet 16.
Coaches have to prepare for the next game on the fly as they also race around and try to squeeze in some scouting at other sites. Fans and reporters also try to get to different places to see as many different teams as possible.
As a kid I had the good fortune of having a hometown tournament at York - now named after former athletic director Jack Tosh. At the time it was only a few years old but even then had some tremendous teams and players.
York even won the tourney back then - something that hasn't happened since.
There was the first trip to Proviso West in the 1980s with a college buddy whose brother played for Downers Grove South. Marcus Liberty put on a show of made and missed dunks for state power King and a freshman kid named Jamie Brandon showed the ability that would make him one of the greatest players in state history.
About a decade later Schaumburg made its first trip to Proviso West and finished a surprising second with a fundamental display that would eventually result in a state title.
Just like the holidays themselves, this time of year is about seeing old, familiar friends. It's about being a gracious guest - and it may be equaled but no one does it better than the people at Wheeling for the Wildcat Hardwood Classic.
This year, if you have no New Year's Eve plans, you can head to Pontiac or Pekin for what figure to be tremendous championship games.
High school basketball now has a glut of shootouts and events bringing together teams from all over.
But there's nothing to match the excitement and anticipation of what's about to unfold the next couple of weeks.
mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com