So, welcome, Indiana, to the Zone of Invisibility.
Yes, we are stashed way up here in the northeast corner of your attic, like that crazy uncle you don’t want anyone to know about.
Yes, we do tend to be a little defensive about that, which explains the previous sentence, and also the Zone of Invisibility crack.
Which is why this whole girls state finals coming here is such a big deal.
It’s a big deal because, first off, it will make clear once and for all that we are not, in fact, in Ohio. We are as Indiana as corn de-tasseling and runnin’ the picket fence at ’em.
Johnny Appleseed is buried here. And the city’s namesake, “Mad” Anthony Wayne, was George Washington’s best general in the early days of the republic, and really not as loony as his nickname implies.
Here’s another thing you should know about us: Girls hoops is darn good here.
That’s why there are three city schools playing in the state finals today, and one of them, Canterbury, will try for its third straight Class A title. In 2A, Bishop Luers will try for a sixth title overall. And Concordia makes its first appearance in the 3A title game, which fellow city school Elmhurst won last year.
So if you were compelled to move the state finals out of Indianapolis for the first time, why not here? Other than the fact that, yeah, we’re kind of out of the way?
It is indeed quite a hike for some of the schools down south, like Rushville, Austin and Vincennes Rivet, but hey, welcome to our world. We’re three hours from IU. We’re two-plus from Purdue. We’re two-and-change from Indy. It’s not easy being us.
On the other hand, … I think everyone will find we do have all the amenities, just like Indianapolis. Plus a great venue and great people. Plus the fact that this is, after all, the state finals.
That part everyone gets.
“I think it’s such an honor to be here, and my kids are excited,” says Rushville coach Melissa Marlow, whose Lions play Concordia in the 3A title game. “They’d be excited if it were in the Antarctic. It doesn’t matter where we’re playing, it’s still for the state, playing for the championship.”
Besides, the trek up has its advantages, too.
“It’s an overnight trip, obviously that’s a factor, but … these are kids who’ve played AAU, so they’re used to taking overnight trips and staying away from home,” Marlow went on. “And as a coach, I’m kind of excited to get them away from all the hoopla. It’s great for the community, but I want them a little more focused for (today).”
A lot of people are focusing on today, apparently. By midweek, Concordia had already sold out its ticket allotment; by Friday afternoon, 4,000 or so tickets remained unsold.
“So we’ve got a little work to do,” Coliseum general manager Randy Brown said.
Especially for a city that knows this is, above all else, one great big civic billboard.
“We don’t want to leave any detail,” Brown says. “There will be people in Fort Wayne that if it hadn’t been for this event probably would never have come here. Hopefully they’ll say, ‘Fort Wayne, that’s a great community. Let’s plan on a return visit.’ ”
And in return?
We’ll keep Mad Anthony locked up. Promise.
