High School Basketball Tournament Fans

Late February and early March is when high school basketball starts coming to a close, leaving room for basketball fans to be able to solely focus on the big guys in college for March Madness and the even bigger guys in the NBA. However, the end of the high school hoops season is a thrilling time. Simply put: Tourney Time. Tourney Time is when teams from each state try and make a run at the state championship.

Tournaments Excite Us

Tourney Time is so exciting for multiple reasons. For one, it gives small towns a chance to compete with big cities. It also gives high school players who might not have a chance to play at the next level a chance to make some lasting memories. And for the fans, there is something special about a high school game atmosphere.

Most basketball fans are familiar with the movie Hoosiers, the story of a small town high school who slays the giants over and over again to win the Indiana state basketball championship even when no one gave them a chance. Every small town high school team wishes they could have a similar story. It doesn’t matter what state, there is always a David who wants to take down Goliath and bring pride to their school and town. What’s great about these small towns who have the ability to go on a run is that the entire town rallies around the team. It is a special sight to see a community support a team and have them fight so hard and scrap to win ball games. Seeing young men and women play for the name on the front of the jersey instead of the back is inspiring. Also, when they play for that name on the front they represent for everyone. They represent the school, the alumni, the townspeople. It is truly heartwarming.

State Tournaments: The Last Hurrah For Many Players

The next best thing about Tourney Time is the players. The overwhelming majority of high school players will not play college basketball, forget about the NBA. Playing in the post season offers kids a chance to make special memories that will last a lifetime. Most kids, by time they are a Senior, realize that this is the last hoorah. As a result, they play hard. They give it everything. They know that this is their last go around and they play the game like it is their last, because it literally is. When players dive for loose balls, go after every rebound, and dig in defensively, that is a sight to see. Their passion for the game oozing out of them with every bead of sweat. To create a lasting memory like winning a state or conference championship is something nobody can ever take away from you. You become a sense of pride for the school. People will potentially talk about you and the team you were on for the rest of your life and past it. Playing basketball is like a puff of smoke, once it’s gone, it’s gone. You have to enjoy it and revel in it while you can. Take full advantage. When post season play rolls around that idea usually clicks for some reason. Teams want to reach their peaks and players want to step their game up to another level in order to do what it takes to win. Therefore, as previously stated, everyone is playing hard. But it is the right combination of heart, skill and even a little bit of luck that can turn just another team, or just another player, into a name that no one will ever forget.

The Crazy High School Atmosphere

Finally, probably the best part about Tourney Time is the atmosphere of the games. Nothing quite like a heated high school basketball team between two rivals in a big game. Something about the youthfulness of everyone involved creates a fun time. The pep bands mixed with the cheerleaders and the passionate student body holding it down in the bleachers. Whether it is the San Francisco, California city championship at Kezar Pavilion or the Maine Class C State Championship at the Bangor Auditorium, or our New Jersey State Basketball tournament it doesn’t matter. The setting will be electric. Fans generally come out of the woodwork for these games. Alumni, and faculty who rarely attend show up to show their support. The students in the student section who make up chants for specific players or not as nice ones for opponents is always entertaining to listen to. And by golly if a Freshman starts balling out. The students will not so subtly remind everyone that that player is in 9th grade. “He’s a Freshman! *clap clap clap-clap-clap*” The heat of the building is uncomfortable but no one ever seems to mind. No one goes out for fresh air for fear of missing something.

On top of that, there are usually way more people than should be allowed in the gym which gives the fire marshall a headache but adds to the lore of the environment. No elaborate halftime show is needed, no blaring Hip-Hop music being played in the middle of the action, no promotional give aways, no people dunking off of trampolines during time outs. None of that stuff is needed. The emotion of the game is more than enough to keep people in their seats. Young people giving it 100% to have one shot at Glory is a phenomenal thing. Tourney Time is special. The innocence makes it that much more enticing to be a part of. High School Tourney Time happens once a year, and each year is unique in its own way, but regardless, it is a time of year people should look forward to and never forget how rare and beautiful that time can be. How precious that slice of life can be.