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  • Katie Penzenik (15) of Elkhart Christian is defended by Jenna Kieper (20) of Fairfield Thursday night. Both teams will be in action this week as the IHSAA state girls basketball tournament begins. JUSTIN CRIPE

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  • Goshen News Sports Editor David Vantress

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February 6, 2012

THE SKINNY: Girls first up on on the court as hoop tourney tips off

By DAVID VANTRESS THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — Despite the fact that winter in northern Indiana has been virtually nonexistent this year, a quick check of the calendar reveals that it’s time for an event that warms the hearts of Hoosiers from one end of our state to the other.

That incurable malady known as “Hoosier Hysteria” arrives this week with the girls basketball tournament.

It seems like just yesterday that sports reporter Greg Keim and I were fanning out to the schools in our area, taking pictures of our area teams, talking to coaches about another season.

And now that season is almost over.

Some of our area teams have struggled to find their way; others have had mixed results; and others are among the elite in their classifications.

But now, the slate is wiped clean. And on paper at least, every team has a shot at the Holy Grail of Indiana high school hoops: A sectional championship.

I’ve been doing this job for many years — since I was in high school myself. Every year, the cycle repeats: Some players are finishing their careers and preparing to move on to the game of life; others are just coming up through the system, paying their dues, waiting for their chance to shine.

One of the great joys of this job — aside from the whole getting paid to watch sports thing — is watching this progression.

Once in a great while, we get to see something truly special: a Skyler Carpenter, for example. Last week, we had a chance to chronicle this fine young lady’s latest amazing accomplishment: Earning a full-ride track scholarship to Vanderbilt University.

I’ve been following Skyler’s athletic exploits since she was in middle school, when I typed up middle school track briefs from Westview. Skyler was posting times and distances in middle school events that would have won many high school meets. I knew then that there was a very special young athlete coming our way.

And that instinct of mine has certainly been borne out.

Skyler is a gifted athlete, but also a great young lady who has represented her school well and leaves behind a great example of what happens when you work hard and do the right thing: Good things happen for you.

Skyler and her Westview Warrior teammates will be part of the high school tournament this week, and a team with just as good a shot as anyone else to win that sectional title.

That, dear readers, is the true magic of the way we play the game here in the Hoosier state. The blind draw has its detractors, to be sure. And there are those who would like to see the brackets seeded — the argument there being that the blind draw does not reward teams for what they do during the regular season.

Those arguments have merit, to be sure.

But the random nature of the blind draw has a great equalizing effect on the brackets.

It does sometimes lead to the best two teams in a sectional meeting early in the tournament. But that’s the way the ball bounces.

And for now, let’s shelve the discussion about the pros and cons (mostly cons) of a return to the one-class basketball tournament.

That’s a debate we need to have. But it’s a debate for another day.

This week, pop in “Hoosiers,” get out the spirit gear, buy those tickets, make some noise, and support your team as they begin the journey that hopefully ends Saturday night with a net-cutting ceremony.

For now, let’s celebrate the arrival of a special time of year in this special place we call Indiana.

Contact sports editor David Vantress at 533-2151, ext. 325 or by email at david.vantress@goshennews.com.

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