The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) is once again at the center of a heated discussion about how its state basketball tournaments are seeded. While some argue that a seeded format would add stakes to regular‑season games, others worry that it could undermine the unique, inclusive spirit that defines Indiana basketball.
Eric Gaff, the coach of South Bend Saint Joseph, argues that a seeded sectional tournament would make the regular season more meaningful and would reward teams that have performed well throughout the year.
IHSAA commissioner Paul Neidig counters that the current blind‑draw format works best because it guarantees that every school in Indiana can qualify for the state tournament, preserving a unique aspect of Indiana basketball.
Seeding Proposals and Alternative Models
Scott Radeker, who leads Northridge High School, goes a step further, suggesting that at least the top two teams in each sectional should be seeded to recognize strong regular‑season records, and he even proposes a two‑tiered tournament model reminiscent of the NIT.
Barak Coolman of Penn High School remains cautious, pointing out the difficulty of establishing clear seeding criteria and noting that different sectionals have varying numbers of participants, which makes a one‑size‑fits‑all approach problematic.
Alex Daniel, a player from South Bend Riley, echoes Coolman’s sentiment, emphasizing that the inclusive nature of the current system allows every team to experience the excitement of the state tournament.
Looking Ahead
The debate also touches on tradition; Radeker expresses nostalgia for Indiana’s former single‑class state tournament, a format that many longtime fans still cherish. Neidig notes that, despite the ongoing conversation, there has been no substantial push from school principals or athletic directors to adopt seeding, leaving the IHSAA to monitor sentiment before any potential change.