The class basketball system in Indiana has had 11 years to prove itself on all levels.

However, the question remains -- Has it really leveled the playing field in all areas?

It hasn't when it comes to the private school factor.

Class 4A is not affected by the problem, because almost all of the private schools compete in the smaller classes.

However, in girls basketball, 15 of the 33 state championships in Class A, 2A and 3A have been won by private schools.

The domination on the state level has not been quite as great in boys basketball. There have been four 3A champs and three A champs. Class 2A has never had a private school state champ.

Locally, there is no question that the class system has made it much easier for A and 2A area teams to win a sectional.

Area Class A and 2A girls have won 22 sectional titles in the last 11 years. They had six (all by Kouts) in the 22 years before class.

Area boys A and 2A teams have won 20 sectionals in the last 11 years, compared to only 17 in all the prior years combined.

A school like Morgan, which had never won a sectional prior to class, has to love the fact they no longer have to compete with Porter County's big three schools.

However, in the case of the boys, there is one glaring fact that cries out.

They have won six sectional titles but have been eliminated in the regional four times by a private school, Fort Wayne Blackhawk, and once at semistate by private school, Lafayette Catholic.

Kouts and South Central boys were also eliminated once each in regional play by private schools.

The Kouts girls have been eliminated the past two years at regional by Fort Wayne Canterbury, which went on to win state this year.

Canterbury starts three sophomores and a freshman, so they could be headed for a few more championships.

Feel sorry for the Class A public schools that are unfortunate enough to have the likes of Blackhawk, Canterbury and Lafayette Catholic located in their immediate area. They rarely have the opportunity to win even a sectional.

Beginning next season, the local public Class A schools will know how they feel.

Bowman Academy, a Gary charter school, will compete in Sectional 49.

Public schools are forced to play the hand dealt them by their district's boundaries. That's not the case with private schools.

The playing field really won't be level.

It's time to have a separate tournament for private schools.