by NDplayin » Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:56 pm
Because there is no perfect system, there's never going to be 100% consensus regarding what the best system is... The debate will always be over what system is closest to perfect. I realize not everyone is going to fall head over heels with the 4 region idea, especially when they don't understand it. I'm passionate about the topic and love the debate... However, there are a few arguments that really frustrate me, and I feel like I better address them now before my frustration boils over and I react in a less than civil manner.
The "Climb Mountains... Sail the Sea... Such is Life..." Argument
Let's get real. Do you think there wouldn't be Mountains and Seas in the 4 region idea? In reality, the Mountains get taller and the Seas get rougher.
First, it's harder to qualify for the 4 regions than 8 and the regional tournament field get WAY tougher. No more 1 seeds blowing away 4 seeds that may have only won 10% of their games all season. No more first round cake walks. Start taking two teams from 4 combined districts to a regional tournament and there will be no easy game, no cake walk, every team will be a good team.
There's no intention of making anything easier in this idea... no hint of "giving everybody a medal." If you want to talk about mountains, let's talk about mountains. Geographically, Region 7 is bordered by Region 5 and Region 8. I invite anyone to take a poll of Regions 5 and 8... ask all the coaches this hypothetical, if in this 2012/13 season, had their region been combined with region 7 and two teams getting to go... would their odds of making state gone up or down? We all know the answer- their odds go down... their mountain gets taller, the face more rugged; the sea gets rougher, the swells more violent.
I get it, the argument is about facing challenges and overcoming adversity, and the thought that life isn't always fair. All of which are a key part of the educational process... do you think that really goes away in the 4 region idea? No, those lessons remain. The important thing is that they are more evenly applied to everybody.
Right now: Someone has to climb Mount Everest to go to state while someone else skips over an ant hill.
4 Regions: Everybody gets a mountain... never an identical mountain, never perfectly evenly difficult... but much more consistently similar.
The "No one should be able to back their way into state with a loss" argument
This one bugs me for a couple reasons. Maybe the most because I think is shows a misunderstanding of how 4 regions works. The loser of the championship game is not always automatically moving on. In the common circumstance that the loser of the championship game didn't already play the winner of the 3rd place game in that tournament, those two teams return the next night for what's called a challenge game- winner moves on as the 2 seed.
Second, the idea that losing a game is always "backing in" to state. I'd say just as often, a team who won backs into state. I apologize for "picking on" one of the state tourney teams here, but the debate demands it. Shiloh Christian has losses to 4 region 7 teams this season... Dickinson Trinity, Mott-Regent, Beulah, and Hazen in that order. Now, if Shiloh had gotten hot and beat a top tier team in tournaments I would have said they played their best ball at the best time of year and called them a Cinderella.... That's not the case. They beat Washburn, Flasher, and Garrison in that order. Be honest with yourselves, can you really tell me that Shiloh didn't "back into state" even more than if Beulah and North Star had gotten to go after losing to Trinity and Four Winds?
The "We'll lose the great regional championship atmosphere if two teams go" argument
I know this to be false from experience.
First, I think the misunderstanding about the presence of the challenge game contributes to this one. Again, the loser of the championship game is not an automatic qualifier... very often they have to survive that challenge game to get to go. Because of the challenge game, It is extremely important to not only win the championship- but win the 3rd place game. Imagine actually having a meaningful 3rd place game adding to the atmosphere... In the current system that game is played out just to bring in extra fans and both teams no their season is over. In the four region system, those two teams are still fighting for life- so are their crowds. Plus the winner of the game now has a true rooting interest in the championship.
Second, if we're honest we'll realize there is more to a regional championship game than just qualifying for state... there is the pride of being the champion. News flash... it is twice as difficult and twice as rare to win one of 4 regions than it is to win one of 8. There's also twice as much pride associated with it. Crowds go crazy (in both games!) atmosphere is awesome.
