Here we are in the middle of March and as most of us are aware, there are many college basketball games going on about 18 hours per day all over the country. It begins with 68 men’s teams and 68 women’s teams, 136 NCAA College teams in action.
The boy’s Indiana semi-state tournament was also in action. I was always changing television channels while trying to keep up with the teams that I have been following. Back in my younger days, I had teams that I loved and others that I didn’t root for at any time. I have stepped back a few steps and now enjoy the games and root for teams that I might have a connection.
The Beech Grove boys’ team had a good run this year. They made it to the Semi-State. They traveled to Seymour and played Guerin Catholic in the afternoon. Guerin won 58-46. The Hornets had a very good year.
The IU men’s team played and won their game against Kent State. They won by 11 points. This game was totally played after my bedtime. Their second game was played late Sunday that resulted in an upset 85-69 win for Miami (Fla.) against the disappointed Hoosiers.
The IU women’s team also won their first game of the tournament, defeating Tennessee Tech by 30 points in Assembly Hall. Their second game against Miami (Fla.) was played late Monday, too late for this week’s deadline.
The Purdue men’s team lost their first game of the tournament. There have been lots of comments about this game from all types of media and basketball fans.
The Purdue woman’s team also lost their first game of the tournament. I have enjoyed following this team for the last couple of years. Head Coach Katie Gearlds completed her second year coaching her Purdue team.
Purdue played St. John’s University in Columbus, Ohio. They recovered from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter. A last second shot from St. John’s made the final score 66-64 for them. I was so excited watching this game. Our dog, Simon decided to leave the room.
I was sort of sad that they lost the game but I was also very impressed and proud of them. The next day, while I was on my computer, I saw a photograph showing Coach Katie Gearlds walking off the court with her arm around No. 5, Cassidy Hardin. That really got to me.
I first met Katie when she was in high school at Beech Grove. I was a school bus driver there. I drove bus No. 5. When Katie started coaching at Purdue last year, I spotted a very good player wearing uniform No. 5. I began paying attention to Cassidy Hardin and was very impressed to find out that she holds the record for number of games (142) played for the women’s team at Purdue.
Players were allowed an extra year of eligibility because of Covid. This was her fifth year on the team. She postponed her beginning of medical school at IU. Cassidy always looked to be a very good on-court leader and seemed to always have a great attitude.
I have never met Cassidy in person but after seeing that picture of her and Katie, I’m certain she is a wonderful young lady. She and I have shared a friendship with Katie Gearlds and we have also shared that special number 5.
We also like basketball. So does Katie.
Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools. He can be reached through email at fdshonk@aol.com.