Thursday’s final changes the basketball landscape

Joey Hart had three dunks in the first quarter of Thursday's game.

Before the First Financial Bank Wabash Valley Classic took place I knew there was a chance Linton could play Bloomfield in the final game but thought that was wishful thinking.

Wishes came true this week when Bloomfield and Linton provided a spirited final for the Wabash Valley Classic. Linton finally won it after years of coming close. That is the story but there might be a bigger one in how this state views the area as a basketball hotbed.

I have written before that Southern Indiana is not viewed favorably when compared to Northern Indiana teams. Typically, it is reflected in coaches polls, media polls and college recruiting. Even before the Wabash Valley Classic began, I saw media members say host Terre Haute North was the favorite.

Those in Greene County knew differently and Linton and Bloomfield validated their thoughts this week.

Throw in North Daviess and you have a basketball hotbed that even Northern Indiana can no longer ignore. Linton Coach Joey Hart said after the game Thursday his team would better off playing North Daviess and Bloomfield multiple times a year.

“In all honesty, when you throw North Daviess into the mix. The three of us all ought to all play home and home,” Linton Coach Joey Hart said. “If we all played more we would all make more money. Those are great games. They are heart attacks for us coaches and fans.”

Linton and Bloomfield have had great teams over the years but let’s face it. People look at this pocket of the state and think those teams wouldn’t do well up in Indy, Fort Wayne or the South Bend areas. I am sure Linton heard that when it lost to Andrean in the 2019 state championship game.

Things have changed. North Daviess won the 1A crown last year. Linton owns the record for consecutive 20-win seasons. Bloomfield could very well win the 1A title in a few months while Linton goes far in 2A.

“Bloomfield could win the whole thing,” Coach Hart said. “Brett [Sherrard] has made them even better. They’ve got a bunch of guys who are good in their roles. Neill is obviously special for a freshman. Quentin Ross is one of the most improved players in the conference.”

Next week will be strange as White River Valley will host its annual tournament and three county schools will not be a part of it. Linton and Bloomfield used to meet in the final of the Greene County Invitational every year. Now, they have outgrown it. They met in the Wabash Valley Classic final instead.

Thursday night, I could not tell if Linton and Bloomfield playing at Terre Haute North was a novelty or something that could happen more frequently years from now. I bet people in Vigo County are thinking Terre Haute South and Terre Haute North will take over the field once again.

However, those who make that assumption do so at their own risk. Those folks have not been paying attention.

Nathan Pace is the sports editor of the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at npace@gcdailyworld.com. His “Low Budget Sports Show” airs weekly on Facebook Live.