STEVE HANLON: This could be a first, lastly

In recent years I've made bold, cocky predictions about how the region softball teams would do in the postseason. I've picked three or four teams getting to Indianapolis in the past, and I've been right.

STEVE HANLON: Don't let these 'Days' slip away

This weekend, while many of us are in long lines looking to purchase chocolate hearts, candied roses and cards written by some stranger in the Philippines, or we stand in line for three hours on Sunday to have an hour-long lunch, Diane and Morgan Cavinder will be doing Mother's Day weekend o…

STEVE HANLON: This is one tax plan I agree with

MUNSTER | I am not a politician. Nor do I play one on television.

STEVE HANLON: What it takes to get to the top

In 1977 Lisa Sanchez walked into East Chicago Washington as a semi-lost ninth-grader. The 5-foot-1 youngster had never before dribbled or shot a basketball.

STEVE HANLON: 'Stepping down' on the critics

For all you knuckle-draggers crawling out of your caves, here is a sentence for you. And for all you Nike-wearing troglodytes, this applies to you, too.

STEVE HANLON: Plastic grass ready to Oiler Up

About 11 or 12 years ago, when I was writing for the Indianapolis Star, I got a call that got my blood boiling.

STEVE HANLON: 'You've got that right'

CROWN POINT | When most in "Da Region" were still sleeping, Spike Albrecht and his grandfather, Frank Brunski, would grace the new dawn with eyes wide open and a collective pulse beating heavily.

STEVE HANLON: Dusting off a boys hoops notebook

All good things must come to an end, a famous philosopher once said. And rightly so, I must add.

STEVE HANLON: Bowman is ready for 3A

INDIANAPOLIS | It's not like the complaints and harsh words about Bowman Academy's boys basketball program have been stated in a vacuum.

STEVE HANLON: Shakespeare in Chuck Taylors

HUNTINGTON | It's a question that's been asked for the past 103 years. Philosophy and Hoosier Hysteria have gone hand-in-hand since the high school tournament began.

STEVE HANLON: Bowman will go to 3A with a win

There's something special, even loveable, about Hoosier Hysteria. This craziness has been selling tickets for 103 years. Many people have timed their lives by this tourney.

STEVE HANLON: Merrillville wins Class 4A regional crown

MICHIGAN CITY | It was a bold statement. The kind coaches in Indiana don't like their kids to say. Especially at 2 p.m. on a regional Saturday.

STEVE HANLON: Region hoopsters hope to be regional spoilers

It shouldn't be a shock that there is a strong connection between the best basketball players in Northwest Indiana. Summer hoops has been bringing people together for a long time.

STEVE HANLON: It takes more than the stars

UNION TWP. | It's been going on for 103 years. A century-plus of the same thing.

STEVE HANLON: The vanishing act in Gary must stop

GARY | The legacy of high school basketball in Gary doesn't have a close second.

STEVE HANLON: This just won't go away, will it?

KOUTS | Here's hoping my GPS is right on this one.

STEVE HANLON: Winning has nothing to do with pride

HAMMOND | The tears were forming, but they never fell down the cheek. Not in the following conversation anyway.

STEVE HANLON: This one is a family affair

HAMMOND | This one was sold out. But it was also souled out.

STEVE HANLON: Patton's heart is a winner

VALPARAISO | It wasn't a ho-hum kind of injury. The kind where a bag of ice and a few minutes on the bench is the healer.

STEVE HANLON: A few thoughts from What if-land

MERRILLVILLE | What if Pete Best would've stayed with the Beatles? What if David Lee Roth never would've left Van Halen?

STEVE HANLON: Saturday night's all right for fight'n

PORTAGE | Mike Megyese spoke directly with some passion on Jan. 25, a few minutes after his Michigan City Wolves had snapped Merrillville's 39-game regular season winning streak with a 60-57 win.

STEVE HANLON: The rumor is true, Poston is the real deal

CEDAR LAKE | There have been a lot of rumors about Hanover Central guard Blayr Poston this winter. I wish I had a dime for every question or email I've gotten about her injury and missed games.

STEVE HANLON: No red eyes needed in this one

MUNSTER | It isn't just how you finish. Hardly. Winners come in many shapes and sizes. And they are not always on the “right” side of the scoreboard.

STEVE HANLON: A Super Family night on Day 1

NEW CHICAGO | This week the stories and photographs will all be about Indiana's girls, the young ladies competing in the IHSAA's 38th annual girls basketball state championships.

STEVE HANLON: Our pep band is better than yours!

NEW CHICAGO | Robert Burke had been here before. Well, sort of.

STEVE HANLON: This one is how it should be

MICHIGAN CITY | Region football fans used to praise, glorify and pump up the old Andrean-Griffith rivalry. Even though it was vicious. Hateful. And certainly not politically correct.

STEVE HANLON: Just as it should be

CROWN POINT | Larry Bird is there. So is Oscar Robertson. John Wooden, too.

STEVE HANLON: The GSSC tourney is a burning INGOT

HAMMOND | Jason Quigg is the kind of guy you'd want your son to play basketball for. If you had any brains, anyway.

STEVE HANLON: Great expectations alive at Noll

HAMMOND | Some things never change.

STEVE HANLON: Hoosier Hysteria needs more wrestling bears

HAMMOND | The Region Roundball Rumble has a 14-year history of bringing the best available talent in Indiana to Northwest Indiana.

STEVE HANLON: Gary Holiday Tourney needs old feel

GARY | This used to be a crown jewel of Hoosier Hysteria. A bright fire burning on cold winter nights.

STEVE HANLON: Mallard Gymnasium soon to be called Hef's House

INDIANAPOLIS | This is the most cherished time of the year, when simple one-line sayings on a card can become a life's mantra.

STEVE HANLON: When basketball doesn't mean a thing

MERRILLVILLE | I was excited all week thinking about Friday night's Duneland Athletic Conference showdown between Lake Central and Merrillville. That's typical when the two defending Class 4A sectional champions meet.

STEVE HANLON: The end of the world as we know it

ST. JOHN | The world is going to end on Dec. 21 of this year — or so some have claimed. Whether you believe this or not is your call, but evidence suggests the eternal lights really could go out in less than two weeks:

STEVE HANLON: Santa Clouse has come to town

CEDAR LAKE | It was like looking down at your Powerball ticket, seeing that all six numbers matched and then starting your happy dance.

STEVE HANLON: Mr. Basketball, Irvin and 'Da Region'

GARY | It's about as long as Tito Jackson's belt. The streak that we're talking about here, that is.

STEVE HANLON: 'Let's go, boys. Keep fighting'

MERRILLVILLE | With 5:49 left in the fourth quarter, Nick Serrato's hands were clapping thunderously. His voice boomed around Andrean's sideline.

STEVE HANLON: Pop the popcorn; time to change

Pop the corn, take off the parka and dance into a hot gymnasium filled with a ton of local talent.

STEVE HANLON: 'One Gov, we all we got'

MISHAWAKA | Head down, one knee on the ground, Eleazar Henderson wept at Steele Field in Mishawaka on Friday night.

STEVE HANLON: Taking a club to girls hoops

Like a basketball on an index finger, the earth keeps spinning.

STEVE HANLON: Highland football revels in great run

HAMMOND | The scoreboard burned bright in the northern end zone. A cold, crisp wind blew in from the lake over the top of the rectangular that read, “34-0.”

STEVE HANLON: E.C.'s Fairley live on The History Channel

LaRunte Fairley is 5-foot-8, 165 pounds. Not the kind of numbers you expect to see shining under the lights on a Friday.

STEVE HANLON: Everything that rises must converge

WHEATFIELD | The ground was soaked. The mud was thick, and slick. The tears that dropped only added to the environ.

STEVE HANLON: There is no “i” in Martayveus

EAST CHICAGO | While most of the kids in his neighborhood were dreaming of being the next Michael Jordan, East Chicago's Martayveus Carter had another idea.

STEVE HANLON: This one's not made for PBS

GRIFFITH | Whether Big Bird gets defunded or not, one thing remains the same.

STEVE HANLON: A shamrock that's 4 inches taller

ST. JOHN | There is a $1 million question that is yet to be answered. And no, it isn't what tonight's Powerball numbers will be — in advance. And yes, an estimated $40 million would be nice.