HIGH SCHOOL: What is your state tournament like?

Are all state basketball tournaments as exciting as Indiana’s? Even though many are still upset about the previous one class state tournament of Indiana being changed to a four class system, it is still Indiana high school basketball. I bet there isn’t a single video store in the state with a copy of "Hoosiers" in stock right now.

Are all the state tournaments like this? Do all the small communities in Vermont and Wyoming have their business windows decorated with the school colors of their local high school team? Do the town barbershops in Arizona and Utah have the players and fans coming in to get their hair dyed or shaved to show their team camaraderie and spirit?

Do you see yellow school buses full of players, fans, and cheerleaders being followed by a caravan of parents and other high school basketball supporters? The buses and cars are all decorated with the players’ names and great slogans like "We’re #1" or "We want a Sectional." Is the front page of the local paper in your town devoted to your Sectional Championship team?

Are the faculties and coaches in Maryland and Oregon preparing skits or lip synchs for the pep rallies before the big game on Friday? Do you see gyms packed to the rafters with fans for the first round games in California? Does the mayor of your town in Virginia even know what your school mascot is or where you are playing at?

Are there any Internet message boards totally devoted to high school basketball in New York? Does the New York Times have a fan forum for high school basketball like the Indianapolis Star has? Does Illinois have its state championship games where the Bulls play? Where Michael Jordan once played? We have ours at Conseco Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers.

Does it always snow in New Mexico about the time of the sectionals? Do many of your Spring Break plans get messed up due to your team advancing in the state tournament? Is everyone at work today in Tennessee talking about their team’s chances in the tournament? Do all the boys in Maine practice free throws in the morning before school to get ready for the tournament? Did some big shot in your town in Colorado donate money to feed the team after the game on Friday?

Does your local newspaper in Oklahoma devote a whole pull-out section to the sectional? Do you have former players at your school in Massachusetts come to a practice or give pre-game pep talk? Are all the people at your office in Montana talking about the stupid move made by the coach in last night’s game?

Do the parents of players in South Carolina have their front lawns filled with signs saying "Good Luck #12?" Are all of your school hallways and windows in Florida decorated with the players and coaches names? Is the athletic director of your school in Texas being called about tickets for the Regional every five minutes? Is it every boys dream in North Dakota to someday win a Sectional title on a last second shot?

All the Hoosiers reading this know I could go on and on with this. Do you have "Hoosier Hysteria" or "March Madness" in your state? Are you as lucky as we are here in Indiana?