It won’t B the same

We have to agree with Vince Grippi that we “have to get over it” in regards to the State B basketball tournament being “messed with.” We’ll reserve judgment whether or not our fan participation will continue. It’s similar to being invited to a family picnic for a family other than your own.

The whole change is asinine. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Small towns know that. The WIAA apparently does not.

We hope Yakima can find the same kind of dedicated volunteers who have made the B tournament in Spokane what it is. What a great job they have done. We hope they will continue. The kids deserve it.

The B tournament has fans who transcend the competition element. It has become the opportunity to talk “B basketball” with people year-in and year-out without knowing more than their first name. The common denominator being the kids, teams, and coaches each are so proud of. It will take years to recreate this atmosphere.

If the larger schools can opt out of playing in their new classification, i.e. Gonzaga Prep and several other larger schools, can the small schools opt out of going to Yakima and continue their Spokane B tournament tradition?

We know “we have to get over it.” But … it’s hard to accept something that’s a fix for something that wasn’t broken.

Marty Wold

Deer Park

Gary McLaughlin

Chattaroy

Joe Sutton

Newport