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Thursday, January 20, 2005
Hoop Hype?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The South Gwinnett High School basketball team, with its All American star Louis Williams, is a road show, traveling the country defeating in televised match-ups top teams like Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy, USA Today’s so-called #1 team. The South Gwinnett team’s success has put the school on the national map, drawing a mention in Sports Illustrated.
But is this what high school is supposed to be about? In basketball in particular, the most talented high school athletes are skipping college and going straight to the pros. A lot of kids might think that could be their ticket up, too, but few will ever get that chance. The same used to be said for college ballplayers. And now some high schools are under the same television hot lights usually reserved for large college programs. Is that something high schools should embrace, or something parents should be worried about?
(My colleague Hyde Post tipped me off to this fascinating issue)
