Basketball is a symbol in the state of Indiana. Hoosiers worship their high school, college and professional teams like it is its own religion.
Even with social distancing rules in effect, that hasn’t stopped local Hoosiers from meeting up at local parks and playing a little five on five. In retaliation, the state had its own response.
State parks, like Garfield Park on the southside, and even the outdoor courts at the University of Indianapolis, have used two two-by-fours to deter possible ballers. By placing one board above the rim and one below and nailing them together, park officials have effectively sent home those looking to play basketball to pass their time.
For park goers, this has been a relief in a time where large crowds can cause a lot of stress.
“For as much as I do enjoy seeing young people getting out and playing sports, it is also quite a relief for me to walk around the trail and not have to worry about their health or mine,” Laurie Irwin said, who frequents Garfield Park to get exercise during the quarantine.
Luckily for millenials looking to keep their distance, yet pass the time, not all public hoops have been shut down. For Evan Beretta, a current sophomore at Xavier University who’s home during the quarantine, some parks have kept their hoops open.
“I have a park right across the street from me,” Beretta said. “Not very many people go there, and the basketball goal is behind the outfield of the baseball diamond. It’s never crowded anyway.”
Being able to go and shoot baskets has been a stress reliever for the college student. He’s been balancing his schoolwork, his job during quarantine, and his responsibilities that have followed him home from school. Being able to take to the court every once and a while has been an outlet of stress that has built up around him.
“I’m kind of nervous that one day I’m going to walk over to the park and find that the goal has met the same fate as other parks around the city,” Beretta said. “But for now, I’m just going to try and get over there as much as possible.”
In an article published in the Indy Star, Indy Parks spokeswoman Ronnetta Spalding claimed that “Indy Parks does not track attendance on its outdoor courts.” Instead, it seems that the closing of basketball in Indiana was just a precautionary measure. (Read more from that statement here – https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2020/04/01/coronavirus-indiana-basketball-courts-closed-hoops-blocked/5102726002/)
But, a new question arises – how are Hoosiers getting their basketball fix? The answer is simple.
“I’m playing NBA 2K20 on my PS4,” high school senior Liam Irwin said. “If I can’t play outside with my friends, at least we can play online together.”
Though the atmosphere and ability of each player is different online than in real life, the joy of playing the game all Hoosiers love is no different.
“I mean if they close down my goal, I guess I’ll have to turn to 2K,” Beretta said. “I would just hate to waste such nice days inside.”
Until the park system closes down all public goals, expect Hoosiers to be doing what they know best – taking to the court, all looking to be the next pick-up Reggie Miller.
