First points of postseason? IHSA awards them

So what’s it worth to you?

It’s a good question at this time of year because, believe it or not, home boys basketball games in the playoffs used to be something teams earned. Now they’re handed out by the IHSA based on noncompetitive criteria.

Because of that criteria, competition is the very thing affected. Playing host to a playoff game could mean the difference between moving on and ending your season.

When the IHSA switched to fixed regional sites in 2003, it proved to be a significant step that ended a system where higher seeds hosted regional games. Teams negotiated a successful regular season to claim that reward, and although the value of a home game varies from site to site, it’s a definite value.

“I think it’s probably worth somewhere between 8 to 10 points,” said Wheaton Academy coach Paul Ferguson, whose team hosts a Class 3A regional next week. “I think especially in basketball, it’s always easier to shoot in the facility you spend most of your time practicing and playing games in.”

Ferguson said his school simply logged into the IHSA website, answered a few logistical questions and submitted the request to host a regional. The IHSA granted the request based on the number of fans the Warrior Dome can seat, the layout of the gymnasium, and so on.

That decision may change the course of Wheaton Academy’s postseason. It’s true the Warriors lost at home to St. Francis in last year’s regional, but any advantage in the wicked Riverside-Brookfield sectional is worth pursuing.

Despite a 24-1 record Wheaton Academy garnered only a No. 4 seed behind powerhouses Crane, Riverside-Brookfield and Marshall. With North Lawndale looming as a possible regional final opponent, that 8-to-10 point estimated gain might come in handy.

It’s an advantage other schools would love to have in next week’s regional.

Benet, for example, put in an immense amount of work compiling a 26-0 regular-season record, but now the Redwings, top-seeded in the Class 4A East Aurora sectional, head to the Naperville North regional where they may face the host Huskies.

Benet would be favored if that matchup came to fruition, but why should the game be on Naperville North’s court? One of the IHSA’s reasons for creating fixed regionals was to shorten driving distances, but Naperville North and Benet are only about 4 miles apart.

After winning tough road games and even tougher games on neutral courts, a regional at Naperville North likely won’t be much of a disadvantage for the Redwings. But if the seeds hold up, Benet also would be forced to play No. 4 East Aurora on its home court in the sectional semifinals.

“It is a difficult path, but our kids have played in so many situations and environments,” said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. “With the senior leadership we have we won’t make a big deal out of it.”

Glenbard East, on the other hand, will make a big deal out of hosting a regional. The Rams, seeded third at East Aurora, thrive at their rowdy venue.

Any advantage helps in the playoffs, and Glenbard East is glad to have it.

As a top-four seed, the Rams also earned it.

“It can be a huge advantage for us,” said Rams coach Scott Miller. “There’s no doubt you’re more comfortable at home. That can make a big difference in the playoffs.”