This observer ready for court class contraction

I've seen enough the last two years.

Apparently so have a lot of other people as plenty of seats in Carver Arena and hotel rooms in Peoria were available the last two weekends for what currently passes, or fails, as IHSA March Madness.

Yes, there were dramatic and thrilling finishes at last weekend's boys Class 3A and 4A state basketball finals. Some included teams that haven't been a part of the party for decades.

But before the four-class advocates hurt themselves too much from patting themselves on the back, don't forget before expansion, there were always tourneys filled with drama and thrills.

There were always teams that you hadn't heard from for generations that piqued interest.

After two years, I'm ready for class contraction.

The IHSA's crown jewel for decades, the boys basketball tournament, has definitely lost a lot of its luster.

Start with the Friday games. More than a few coaches have said there was a certain edge to the quarterfinals.

Win and you get to stay in town and play two more on Saturday. Lose and the season's over.

Playing two of the biggest games in the same Saturday was never ideal. But having two third-place games in one day isn't a deal that will get the general public racing to the ticket windows.

Wouldn't it have been fun to see North Lawndale, Champaign Centennial, Waukegan, Thornton and Whitney Young all competing for the same prize?

Maybe only one of the Chicago Public League finalists would have made it, but its place would have been taken by someone else deserving.

And for some of those who have benefitted and will benefit from four-class baseball and volleyball, the recently completed three-class wrestling and soon to be contested three-class track and field don't view this as beneficial.

Craig Virgin is in a class with very few among runners this state has produced. His 13:50.6 in 1972 is still the best time run in a state cross country meet at Detweiller Park even though his high school of downstate Lebanon could fit all of its students comfortably in about six classrooms.

Yes, there is something to be said for some competitive balance since the Craig Virgins who can hold their own with the big boys are rare.

That's why there was nothing wrong with division of a state this size into two classes.

But shouldn't more be said about those who want the opportunity to see where they stack up against the best. That's made three and four classes subtraction by addition.

There's no question winning a title - one class, two classes, four classes - is still a memorable moment for those involved.

But there's no question many of us would rather remember the way it was just a couple of years ago and the way it should be again.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com