My two sons were starters on a combined 3 IL state high school championships. While it was quite entertaining, the emphasis was over the top. And the 5 game post-season process is far from perfect. It’s not uncommon for the two best teams in a class to meet in the second or third round.
I listened to a former HS football coach give his view of the whole thing, when asked by a local radio sportscaster, about his memories from winning a title 40 years previous.
I was surprised they aired it (pre-recorded; WRMJ fm, Aledo, IL), because that guy really nailing the fact that too much emphasis is put on getting that title. He mentioned former players of his, lamenting years later, wishing they could get that same ‘high’ they had at the end of that game. A game was their high point in life; not getting married, not becoming a father, NOT finding Jesus Christ. (I added that last one)
Around 20 years ago, one of the winningest IL high school basketball coaches suddenly retired. His reason: kids were going to tournaments on weekends and in the summer, which put strains on families being families going to church, or other family functions. He said the emphasis on the sport shouldn’t be year round.
Funny, I’ve always felt bad for the kids who were the superstars in high school because they always spend the rest of their lives looking back at their glory days.
It must be awful for these kids to hit college or a career where no one gives a damn that they made a touchdown in some forgotten and obscure game. Or that they dated the captain of the basketball team.