UNDSiouxfan wrote:It is very unfortunate for ND Class B basketball that it has come to this point. This is the biggest sporting event in our state but it just isn't the same as it once was.
Here are some POPULATION facts:
Fargo - about 200,000 to draw from (Fargo, WF, Mhd, kids all go to OG)
Minot - about 50,000 to draw from (both finalists in their Region this year)
Bismarck - about 100,000 to draw from (and the best facilities in the state)
Dickinson - about 30,000 to draw from (while easily being able to compete w/Dickinson High every year)
and THESE are class B towns??? the NDHSAA has it all wrong...
Grand Forks - well, it's a matter of time until they get their own private school and enter the "B"
Simply said, having private schools in these large communities gives them an edge by having a larger population to recruit from. Personally, I'm from a class A town and it was tough enough to compete against the big towns back then. Witnessing these changing times is simply ruining the best sporting event we have here in ND.
The allure of Class B basketball is having that great player dominate a basketball game, getting to state and watching these other teams defend against that special player. Sometimes, a team will have two. The game is changing and it isn't quite the same, because the larger communities can have 8-9-10 kids to defend. I'm not saying private schools have more talented players, but it's about depth in numbers. It used to be every year a different team would make it. Not so much anymore.
Remember the names Hunter Berg from Grenora? Dustin Undlin from Mohall? Bryan Buhr from Hope-Page? Scott Guldseth from Edinburg? This is what ND Class B basketball is about -- emptying out these small towns, locking the doors, and cheering on your small town teams. When you have a deep bench that can stop these one-in-every-ten year caliber of player, it keeps those kids from getting recognized.
So to all those small town ND communities that were able to make the B this year, good luck to you! We know who you are and we will be rooting. In the meantime, the populations in the big towns keeps going up.
BBB13 wrote:Let's not forget a couple of other factors that might affect the small town teams. Back in my day, we were allowed a practice in the "big" tournament gym so everyone had a chance to get a feel for the place. Being in a first year super Region we not only had to play in a new venue, but the top three seeds had to wait over two weeks to play in it. The other teams got a play-in game a week ahead. I hope that is addressed next year. Also, besides having a larger pool for the bigger schools in the metro area, they also have well-qualified coaches because they can afford to pay them better. Usually they have at least three coaches, sometimes more. Our rural schools are fortunate if we can find a coach who has actually had some college for coaching, or is at least a teacher in the school.
scruffy wrote:Private school coaches are paid much less then public school coaches. In many cases a public school junior high coach earns more then a private school varsity coach. In regards to having private schools having a larger population to draw from that can also be questioned. Not everyone in those cities belong to the church or religion of those schools. Also with the states open enrollment smaller school districts close to large cities also can draw students to their schools. This is very common. Some people like the small school atmosphere and I'm sure some believe they will get more playing time in a school that isn't as large as the Fargo public high schools,..
wan2bqb wrote:scruffy wrote:Private school coaches are paid much less then public school coaches. In many cases a public school junior high coach earns more then a private school varsity coach. In regards to having private schools having a larger population to draw from that can also be questioned. Not everyone in those cities belong to the church or religion of those schools. Also with the states open enrollment smaller school districts close to large cities also can draw students to their schools. This is very common. Some people like the small school atmosphere and I'm sure some believe they will get more playing time in a school that isn't as large as the Fargo public high schools,..
Bold statement here because i know for a fact the being of a certain religion has nothing to do with attending a private institution. I know lutherans attending catholic schools, catholics attending lutheran and i am sure that the young gentleman from Oak Grove wearing a Dastar, a traditional indian turban worn primarily by Shia muslims, during the whole basketball season is most likely not lutheren. Be careful what "facts" you throw out for rational for your arguement. I believe they, being the privates do have an advantage, but i dont beleve we currently have an acceptable or viable solution. Right now enrollment is what they go by so they are class B
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests