FHSAA March Madness? It'd be awesome Baby!!

Back in 1995, Tampa Catholic coach Don Dziagwa would have loved to see his state champion Crusaders get a crack at a much-ballyhooed Daytona Beach Mainland squad that featured future North Carolina and NBA star Vince Carter (as well as Tampa Bay Storm wide receiver T.T. Toliver, who went on to play at Bethune Cookman).

The only problem? Tampa Catholic was the Class 3A state champ. And Mainland was the Class 6A state champ.

But if area basketball coaches and the FHSAA's basketball advisory committee get their way, squads like the '95 Crusaders will have such dream match-ups in store.

A proposal to start a tournament featuring the state title winners in all six classifications is currently working its way through the FHSAA beuracracy. It could start as soon as next season, provided it gets approved by the proper channels. The organization's Board of Directors endorsed the idea and instructed the  staff to "study it further and develop terms and conditions that would govern the competition for approval at a future meeting," FHSAA communication director Jack Watford said.

Dziagwa endorsed the idea and said he couldn't imagine any other basketball coach in the area not doing so.

The negatives? It would extend the season by a week, further cutting into spring schedules. Also, we chatted with legendary high school coach Bob Hurley, whose St. Anthony team is a fixture in New Jersey's Tournament of Champions (which has a set-up similar to the one Florida is proposing), and he said kids are extremely tired by that last week. But Hurley said the tournament is "great for basketball" and thinks that Florida would be happy with its version.

For complete details, check out tomorrow's St. Pete Times!

Comments

[Vinnie]

There are a few drawbacks to this plan. While I agree there is a question in the minds, as to if the 5A champ is better than the 4A champ or the 6A champ; I am concerned that it is not about the pride for the kids, but more for the money this tourney would generate.
Part of the reason for the class division is to keep smaller schools from getting railroaded against larger schools. I'm not against the tourney, don't think that. I was brought up that you take on the challenges and try to be the best, But I was also taught that it isn't always about BEING the BEST, it was more about not backing down and fighting until you nothing left, because thats where CHARACTER is built and brought out.
Sorry, I still believe in "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game"

Always the pessimist. I think the kids would love this idea as they would in football as well. This just wouldnt be possible in football because of obvious reasons of the physicality of football vs. basketball.

I think this would be great for the Kids, Schools, fans, and FHSAA!

[Vinnie]

Football would be pushing it, I agree.

We'll see how this turns out. One definite positive, is it gets the kids another look (or opportunity for a look) from scouts, and that might be the one that gets them a scholarship.