Does the all-conference system really work?

First of all I would just like to congratulate all the local players that have been named to post-season all-conference teams. In the story to follow, I just want to clarify that in no way, shape or form am I trying to take away from any members that were named to these teams, just merely voicing my opinion on the new format.

To my understanding the Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference teams were picked based on team standings. For example, the conference champion, along with second place (all four teams) each received three players on the boys side of things. Just to further clarify the way the teams were picked, each coach selected players from their own team to make the team.

Basketball is a team sport, and it takes great efforts from many individuals for the make-up of a successful team. Many members of the media, fans and coaches often get caught up in players scoring numbers. I do not feel like just because someone can score upwards of 20 points on a given night that automatically qualifies them for a selection to an all-everything team. If you don't have someone rebounding the ball, someone that can handle the press and bring the ball up the court, someone setting screens and someone who can read defenses and distribute the ball to open players, then there will not be a whole lot of scoring going on.

Defensive players also often get overlooked on these teams as well. Show me a player that can lock down the other teams top scorer and I will take him over a 20-point scorer anytime. I will also take the scrappy player that does all the "dirty work" and rarely gets any glory for his or her efforts. Players that expend their energy diving for loose balls and crashing the offensive and defensive glass with sheer guts and determination will normally provide a spark to the rest of the team.

Sifting through the all-conference teams, both boys and girls, just about every player is someone that can light up the scoreboards. Lets face it, offense is what most fans like to see, but maybe there should also be an all-conference defensive team awarded as well. Just a thought.

Now back to the selection of the SWIAC team. I am not a fan of coaches being able to pick their own players and they automatically be on the team. The more I think about it, the more that I do like the idea of giving teams a certain amount of nominations based on conference standings. I feel like each coach can nominate their own players, then all the coaches narrow the all-conference team down to five or six players each for a first and second team.

Speaking of which, the SWIAC team lists all their players on one team, they do not break the players down into a first team, second team or honorable mention. Eighteen players on the boys team and 16 for the girls team is just too many players in my eyes for one team.

To me the way the route the SWIAC took takes all the politics out of who should be on and what not, but just like professional all-star games -- there are always going to be snubs. But then again maybe that's why I am here writing my stories and columns instead of speaking in front of a committee on my ideas just mentioned.

Note: The Greene County Daily World released the boys all-area basketball team Tuesday and the girls all-area team will be announced in Thursday's edition.

Travis David is a sports writer for the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at (812) 847-4487 ext. 20 or tdavid@gcdailyworld.com