my favorite gym

One of the most frequently asked questions from the last four years of this photographic journey is, "what's your favorite gym?"  Not wanting to offend anyone, I have declined to answer with any particular location.  But now, after seeing and photographing more than 175 of Indiana's best, I think I should come clean.  For a fan of Hoosier high school basketball and its history (real & film) both New Castle (the nation's largest) and The Hoosier Gym (in Knightstown) should not be missed.  And if it were possible to travel back in time, the Wigwam in Anderson would certainly be on my list (as would Hinkle for a state tourney final).  But when it comes to being a photographer, our demands are a little different than the average basketball spectator.  In a perfect world, the gym would be filled during a rivalry or tourney game with passionate fans.  The floor would be original, but well maintained, with a great logo at center court.  There would be history hanging on the walls and the bleachers - wood, of course.  Last, but not least, the school administration would have seen the wisdom in replacing the old mercury (or sodium) vapor lighting with fluorescents sometime within the last five years.  With all of that in mind, I can offer up three gyms that are my favorites based on size & age.  If you are looking for that old time fieldhouse feel, Kokomo is the place.  For pure history, look no further than Rushville.  And, as of this writing - for color (Kelly green), light (fluorescents), feel (it's sunken), photo access (multiple vantage points) the winner is - the Jim Mann Green Dome at West Vigo High School.  But, wait a minute - what about Muncie Burris, Scottsburg, Southern Wells or Whiting?  Maybe on my next list of favorites.  CGS.