Brackets are set for 2010 Wabash Valley Classic

The field has been set for the 2010 Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic boys basketball tournament at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. Above, Indiana State University Men's basketball coach Kevin McKenna (center) drew ping-pong balls representing each of the 16 teams in the tournament. He is assisted by tournament committee members Gary Fears (left) and Brian Miller. (By Rick Curl/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

TERRE HAUTE -- Pairings for the 2010 Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic were drawn Tuesday afternoon by Indiana State University Men's Basketball coach Kevin McKenna as coaches, athletic directors and media members representing the 16 schools taking part in the 10th annual event gathered for a special luncheon at Terre Haute North Vigo High School, site of this year's tournament.

For Greene County's three entries into the field the draw went in two unique directions.

First there's two-time event runner-up Bloomfield (2000, 2003) which will square-off against Terre Haute South in the tournament's first game on Saturday Dec. 26 at 10 a.m.

"It's kind of funny, coach (Mike) Saylor was just over here reminiscing about some games when I was in high school and they were helping us out with Terre Haute North," Cardinals first-year coach John Bucher said. "Moments later we find out we draw them, so we'll just have to do our best against them."

Saylor joked about his visit with Bucher and BHS athletic director Ron McBride prior to the draw.

"I went over there and visited with coach and Ron McBride and last year I went and visited with Rodney Idlewine last year and we drew South Vermillion," Saylor said tongue-in-cheek. "So I think next year I'm going to be more selective about who I visit with before the draw."

Bucher admits that while he'd like to capture the tournament crown, he knows that bigger things lie beyond the tournament -- and that's what he's hoping to prepare his young team for by taking part in the event.

"Our main focus is the sectional and the end of the year and gaining experience in the tournament," he said. "So we just have to take it one game at a time and try to prepare for South just like we would anyone else on our schedule. And keep in mind that we just want to try and get better overall with each game."

McBride, who handed the reigns of the Cardinal program over to his former player this past summer, said he has no special advice on how to approach the tournament.

"He'll be OK," McBride said. "We've drawn Terre Haute South before and he'll do a good job."

The Cardinals will face either Sullivan or South Vermillion in the second round.

If they win they'll take on the winner of that game at 1 p.m. on Monday December 28 and if they lose to the Braves they'll move into the consolation bracket at 10 a.m. on the same day.

Much later in the day, at around 7 p.m., Greene County's remaining entries take to the hardwood.

Game seven of the event will be a rematch between 2003 consolation bracket winner Shakamak and Linton-Stockton.

The two teams will meet in the final regular season game prior to the tourney on December 18 in Linton.

"We'll get a chance to see them right before we turn around and have to play them again," Miners coach Darren Clayton said. "It's a team that we'll have knowledge of which can be good."

For Lakers coach Steve Brett, it will admittedly be a first time happening.

"It'll be interesting to do something like that, I don't think I've ever done that before," he said. "It'll be an interesting turnaround and we certainly ought to know each other by then."

Clayton said while he welcomes the challenge of facing the Lakers for a second time, he admits that part of the challenge of participating a tournament like the Classic is seeing teams you wouldn't ordinarily see during the season.

"Coming up here we were wanting to play some different opponents, but we'll take them however they fall," Clayton said. "We know that we'll be up for a challenge whenever we play Shakamak."

The will also feature a stark contrast in experience as the Miners have only two returning players while Shakamak brings a roster full of returning players.

"Anytime you have an experienced team you hope they'll play like an experienced team," Brett said. "By playing tournaments before it will help them. You shouldn't have to deal with any opening game jitters or things like that."

If there's any advantage to the two schools meeting, it might be in the fact they won't have to play until the evening session.

Which, according to both coaches, keeps their teams on a semi-regular schedule.

"That's a good thing," Brett said. "I think it's good for both of us in that we don't have to play at an unusual time.

"You're playing at a more normal game-time situation, so there shouldn't be much of an adjustment there."

Clayton quickly agrees, but also appreciates the fact that his team is finally getting out of playing in earlier contests.

"I think it's a lot better to play of an evening," Clayton admitted. "This is the first time in the three years we've been in the tournament that we've drawn a later game."

Both coaches have similar goals as to what they would like accomplish over the course of the four-day event.

Even though the Lakers have more experience, both coaches hope their teams will learn a little about what lies ahead.

"You look at it and you have to think of the old adage about one game at a time," he said. "You just try to get as far as you can and do the best you can game in and game out and try to get better and the experience that comes with it."

For Clayton it's a chance to let his relatively young team (only two players Caleb Stuppy and Chase Rhoten played last year) to find out what the tournament experience is all about.

"It's a great opportunity to show them what the sectional environment's going to be like," he said. "For the kids that haven't had an opportunity to play in the state tournament it's a great chance for them to come up here in a wonderful tournament environment and it gives them a chance to see what it's going to be like."

Brett agrees saying the event is a stepping stone toward the post season, one full of chances to build momentum.

"The number one goal is to win the tournament," Brett said. "Of course you've got to start like anyplace -- to win a state tournament you've got to win a sectional. And here you've got to start with game one and take of Linton first."

The winner of the contest will advance to Monday's 8:30 p.m. contest against the winner of the final game of the night between the Northview Knights and Monrovia Bulldogs.

The losers will meet in the consolation bracket at 5:30 p.m. on the same day.

Other games on the first day of the event include game three at 1 p.m. when former Union (Dugger) player Joey Hart's Turkey Run Warriors take on the Owen Valley Patriots.

Game four features a showdown between the Riverton Parke Panthers and West Vigo Vikings which will be followed by the host Terre Haute North Patriots taking on the Warriors of Casey-Westfield, Ill.

The defending champion Marshall, Ill. Lions take to the floor in game six when they are set to battle the Rockville Rox at around 5:30 p.m.

Tournament passes are $17 and will be available at all participating schools until Christmas break. Those passes allow admission to all 28 games of the four-day event.

All-day passes will be available at the door for $6 each.