Ah, one of my favorite weeks of the year started Saturday January 16th. No, not because of the weather, because the McLean County Tournament has started! Yes, the weather always seems to throw it's rimshot too. I've seen everything from blizzard like conditions to sunshine to torrential rains on Championship day, but the fans and teams always show up.
This year the competition should be pretty good, although some of the team rankings are pretty different from past years. ElPaso-Gridley boys are seeded in the top 5, a different look than some of the past years where they struggled past the 1st round. Ridgeview played two games on the 16th and was eliminated from the rest of the competition. That's a big change. The Mustangs seemed to be just a half a click off with just about every play attempt. I did see a couple of sequences that went well for them, but for some reason they just aren't quite there.
Heyworth looks to be back in it, but on the boys side, it appears that no one will take down Fieldcrest. EP-G came within 10 the other night, so maybe they will get a second chance on the 23rd.
On the girls side, the Ridgeview Mustangs look to be the team to beat. They only lost one senior last year from a team that competed at Redbird Arena for the state title in March. Nord, Gleeson, Jones, Hardman, Hughes and the rest should be fun to watch.
Those of you who follow my images will probably notice that last year and this year are both billed as the 99th McLean County Tournament. Well, there is a story for that. This is actually the 100th year, but only the 99th tournament. 1933 did not have one. Now you know the answer to that question of life.
be sure to visit the galleries tab on http:\\www.alanlook.com for galleris of the games I was able to cover. Looking is always free and prints are always competitively priced.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
State Farm Holiday Classic Coed Basketball Tournament
Wow, the holiday tournaments are here and as I write - almost over! There are several good tournaments in central Illinois. Pontiac, Pekin, Monticello and the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington Normal to name a few. I've never covered any of them except the Classic, so let me talk about it.
The Classic is billed as the largest holiday basketball tournament in the country and the best basketball this side of March. It schedules 4 days of games for 32 boys and 32 girls team divided into 2 divisions. The divisions are split 1a/2a and 3a/4a along the lines the Illinois State High School Association draws for those schools. The Classic also follows the rules of basketball as stipulated by the IHSA. More on that later.
Last night, I did indeed seem some of the best basketball this side of March. The Richwoods ladies were playing the Normal West ladies. What a game. they went toe to toe, shot for shot in a see-sawing battle for the first 32 minutes. A 3 point buzzer shot evened the score at the end of the fourth quarter starting OT. One went by the score still even. On to double OT. This time the Richwoods team got the better of the Wildcats as the steam was running out for both teams. It was a really great game to watch.
I've been to some others at the tournament too. Photos from all are available and look for coverage in the Normalite and online at the Normalite.com as well. A sample gallery is below, but be sure to go to my site for complete coverage of the games I was able to cover.
Now for the rules.
2 rules need to be changed in the IHSA rule book.
1. A couple of years ago, there was a mercy clock. a 30 point lead in the 4th quarter sent the clock ticking till the end of the game. It was a good thing. If there is a 30 point difference in a game that normally only gets 60-70 points no one will be enjoying that game. Right now that rule only exists in tournament situations. It needs to be reapplied to seasonal play as well.
2. I don't know when they implemented the jersey lettering rule, but someone must have owned stock shares in a uniform company to come up with this one. The rule requires a minimum distance between any lettering on the jersey and the number. Also, the arc of the letters can't have the bottom of the letter lower than the top of the numbers. Ok, we probably don't want circular text on the jersey, but assessing a technical foul on the bench for this is just ridiculous. IHSA - get a better rule. Our schools have more important things to spend money on than replacing every sporting jersey they own.
Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday.
2009 State Farm Holiday Classic - Images by Alan Look
The Classic is billed as the largest holiday basketball tournament in the country and the best basketball this side of March. It schedules 4 days of games for 32 boys and 32 girls team divided into 2 divisions. The divisions are split 1a/2a and 3a/4a along the lines the Illinois State High School Association draws for those schools. The Classic also follows the rules of basketball as stipulated by the IHSA. More on that later.
Last night, I did indeed seem some of the best basketball this side of March. The Richwoods ladies were playing the Normal West ladies. What a game. they went toe to toe, shot for shot in a see-sawing battle for the first 32 minutes. A 3 point buzzer shot evened the score at the end of the fourth quarter starting OT. One went by the score still even. On to double OT. This time the Richwoods team got the better of the Wildcats as the steam was running out for both teams. It was a really great game to watch.
I've been to some others at the tournament too. Photos from all are available and look for coverage in the Normalite and online at the Normalite.com as well. A sample gallery is below, but be sure to go to my site for complete coverage of the games I was able to cover.
Now for the rules.
2 rules need to be changed in the IHSA rule book.
1. A couple of years ago, there was a mercy clock. a 30 point lead in the 4th quarter sent the clock ticking till the end of the game. It was a good thing. If there is a 30 point difference in a game that normally only gets 60-70 points no one will be enjoying that game. Right now that rule only exists in tournament situations. It needs to be reapplied to seasonal play as well.
2. I don't know when they implemented the jersey lettering rule, but someone must have owned stock shares in a uniform company to come up with this one. The rule requires a minimum distance between any lettering on the jersey and the number. Also, the arc of the letters can't have the bottom of the letter lower than the top of the numbers. Ok, we probably don't want circular text on the jersey, but assessing a technical foul on the bench for this is just ridiculous. IHSA - get a better rule. Our schools have more important things to spend money on than replacing every sporting jersey they own.
Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday.
2009 State Farm Holiday Classic - Images by Alan Look
Sunday, December 6, 2009
da 'birds go 7 and 0
Knocking off the Chippewas of Central Michigan moved the Redbird basketball team to 7 - 0 for the non-conference season. Still to come are Niagra, Ohio, Utah and Grambling before the race for March starts at home against the Shockers of Wichita State the last week of December.
I haven't been able to make every game, but so far I would say the Chippewas have been the best challenge the 'birds have seen this season. It also got a bit physical with several players going over shoulders, hitting the floor hard and being rammed into the goal standards.
Newbies have certainly been a plus this year. The 'birds have a much deeper bench than I've seen in several seasons. The 6th man on the court - the crowd - also seem ready and able this season. I didn't get the attendance and it isn't listed on the stats, but I believe the number was pretty good considering a non-conference competition.
20091205 Central Michigan v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look
The Lady Redbirds continue to do well too. They stormed past the Huskies of Northern Illinois on Friday night erasing an early 8 point deficit to bring their record to 5 and 2. Loses were to Big Ten schools Iowa and Illinois. Look for them to make their presence felt once again in the Valley this season.
20091204 Northern Il v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look
I haven't been able to make every game, but so far I would say the Chippewas have been the best challenge the 'birds have seen this season. It also got a bit physical with several players going over shoulders, hitting the floor hard and being rammed into the goal standards.
Newbies have certainly been a plus this year. The 'birds have a much deeper bench than I've seen in several seasons. The 6th man on the court - the crowd - also seem ready and able this season. I didn't get the attendance and it isn't listed on the stats, but I believe the number was pretty good considering a non-conference competition.
20091205 Central Michigan v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look
The Lady Redbirds continue to do well too. They stormed past the Huskies of Northern Illinois on Friday night erasing an early 8 point deficit to bring their record to 5 and 2. Loses were to Big Ten schools Iowa and Illinois. Look for them to make their presence felt once again in the Valley this season.
20091204 Northern Il v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look
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