twenty years on

1997 was either the best of times or the worst of times for Indiana high school basketball.  It was the end of an era, the end of one class basketball in the state that had become famous for its system of play.  You can blame the change on many things (we think high school consolidation was a big factor) and the results - well, depending on what camp you are from, the new class system was either a rousing success or a compete failure.  It's true, Milan will never again be David to Goliath in a winner take all state tourney, but I do believe that a Milan 2A State Championship would be just as honored by Indian fans & players as the 1954 crown.  Whatever side of this discussion you are on there is no doubt who the last one class state champion was - Bloomington North.  So, it only seemed natural that as the twentieth anniversary came around we would make the journey to the home of the Cougars.  Although lacking another state crown, the last 20 years have been relatively successful for North, winning 6 more Sectionals, 4 Regionals and 1 Semi-State.  The 2016-17 campaign proved to be a mixed bag for coach Andy Hodson and his young crew - finishing with a record of 12-10 and a home court Sectional loss to rival Bloomington South.  But, even if they never win the state again, Bloomington North will hold a special place in the history of Hoosier Hysteria and in their trophy case - the last prize when there was only one to give. CGS.