ndlionsfan wrote:B-oldtimer hit on some important points. Back when I played 20 years ago, team camps were just really getting started. There was no AAU ball in the state that I knew of anyway. We started playing ball after football was done in the fall to get in shape before the season. We also had a few open gyms in the summer and played a bunch of pick up ball on the outdoor courts. It was just getting to the point where you had to play basketball year round to compete. But all of us played football, basketball, track as well and I think that played more of a role in our success than anything. I believe the coaches are seeing the value in playing multiple sports again and are promoting that more than specializing in a single sport. Hopefully that trend continues.
But 20 years ago technology was a fraction of what it is now. Everyone is so connected and can get their info/entertainment in a matter of seconds. This also plays in the decline in participation and work ethic. If people now days have to work for something long term, it usually doesn't happen. Kids and adults alike. This technology also plays a part in the demise of rivalries. People are friends with everyone in a 50+ mile radius. Back when I was in high school we never talked to kids from other schools and all we wanted to do was beat them in everything we did. Add in all the coops with neighboring schools and that intensity is gone for the most part. There are still some really good rivalries out there, but its certainly not what it used to be.
As for the three class argument, I honestly don't think it will help. Coops will not split up just so a smaller school can field a team in the bottom class. Participation and enrollments will continue to decline. Spectator interest will also continue to decline as there are fewer games in each town that coops and the casual fan won't know half the kids on the team or what the letters stand for for the visiting team coming to town. Does that mean that everything is going to come to an end and 20 years down the road there won't be any interest in class B basketball or enough teams to make it worthwhile? heck no. People will adapt, things will change, and it will be completely different than it is now even. Maybe for the better, maybe worse, who knows.
Best post regarding this that I have seen....The reality is what was stated in the post above....small towns will continue to dwindle in size and co-ops will continue to happen, its simply the way things are going and there simply isn't anything anyone can do to change it. People complaining about the large and private schools wont fix it......a 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever class system wont change or fix it, it simply is what it is and no matter how many classes you break things into there will ALWAYS be someone complaining that it isn't fair, that they are too small to compete with the "big" schools in their class.
No one is handed anything in life......you want to compete then put down the x box, turn off net flix, and throw your phone in the garbage as it is difficult to develop a shot when its attached to your hand 100% of your waking hours and get in the gym......grab your buddies and go play!!