McPherson Optimists work State Basketball

For the past four years, a motley (and graying) crew of McPherson Optimists have charted every shot, rebound, foul, and turnover of the KSHSAA Class 5A State Basketball Tournament, held annually at the Expocentre in Topeka.

Carol Swenson was aware the site lacked any type of official statistical service for the media covering the tournament from his time as athletic director at McPherson High School.

Upon his retirement from McPherson High, Swenson was approached by the KSHSAA about providing such a service.

For the first couple of years, Swenson had students who had worked as his stat aides at the high school help him in providing stats for the tournament.

Five years ago, with his pool of previous student aides having dried up, Swenson called on Lowell Schmidt, who had worked as a regular on the computer stat crew for the McPherson Optimist sponsored, Mid-America Classic, for help. Lowell signed on!

The next year, fellow McPherson Optimists David Chartier, John Watkins, and Brad Hollingsworth joined the crew in Topeka. Hollingsworth, who has since moved to Topeka, continues though to make the, now shorter, trek to the Expocentre to work the tournament.

“Having worked with the McPherson Optimists during my time as a coach and later athletic director, I knew these guys would do a very professional, accurate job with the assignment. So, why not call on the best!” said Swenson. “It’s a great bunch to work with, plus we’ve got the best seats in the house.”

Four games a day, four straight days, great high school boys’ and girls’ basketball!

“These guys provide a great service to the media covering the tournament, the schools participating, and the host Expocentre,” offered Francine Martin, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director for Boys and Girls Basketball.

“Their efforts are invaluable in running a successful tournament and have improved media relations at this site over the years they have been providing the service,” Martin continued.

“We at the (Kansas State High Schools Activities) Association really appreciate their willingness to give up four days to serve the students of Kansas and the media this way.”

With the advent of webcasting, the stats are also available live via the internet as well as distributed to coaches of all participating teams, the media covering the event, and occasionally, to college coaches scouting players at the tournament.

“Helping as part of the stat team is just one more way to stay involved with high school activities” observed Chartier. “I know the teams and the press appreciate the job we do. We take a lot of pride in doing a good job. We also get to see a lot of great basketball over the four days of state (tournament).”