Bloomington North To Join the Mid-State Conference

[Frozen Tundra]

Per the Mid-State Conference X account:

[WWFan]

North leaving south. Seems odd. 

[Frozen Tundra]

7 minutes ago, WWFan said:

North leaving south. Seems odd. 

I’ve been told this has been in the works for awhile, that Bloomington North has wanted to split away from Bloomington South for several years. When the Mid-State looked into expanding from seven members to eight back in 2017, Bloomington North applied back then while Bloomington South didn’t. However, Perry Meridian was chosen. I was told Bloomington North had considered rejoining the Hoosier Hills Conference as a result but ultimately stayed in Conference Indiana. When Greenwood was accepted into the brand new Hoosier Legends Conference, that opened the door for Bloomington North to apply again.

[Bash Riprock]

Will be interesting to watch what Whiteland does in a few years.....they are not far away from 6A.

[btownqbcoach1]

6 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Will be interesting to watch what Whiteland does in a few years.....they are not far away from 6A.

Why would that be relevant? 

[btownqbcoach1]

Personally... I think CN, CE, Bloom S, Bloom N, Whiteland, Franklin, and Martinsville 

[Bash Riprock]

31 minutes ago, btownqbcoach1 said:

Why would that be relevant? 

My thought would be if they want to be successful in the 6A postseason, they would need to start playing many more 6A opponents.  Do they stay in the Mid-State or look elsewhere?  (not a ton of options for 6A)

[btownqbcoach1]

Just now, Bash Riprock said:

My thought would be if they want to be successful in the 6A postseason, they would need to start playing many more 6A opponents.  Do they stay in the Mid-State or look elsewhere?  (not a ton of options for 6A)

That's kind of why I was starting the discussion. Col North is in this boat right now. 

[HoopsCoach]

I would expect the remaining 5 members of Conference Indiana to scramble to find somewhere else to go since it doesn’t appear that anyone wants to join them to save their conference.

Southport probably should consider trying to join the MIC.  They would struggle to compete in several sports, but it’s probably the most practical place to go.  That would bring the MIC up to 7 members.  Maybe Bloomington South or Columbus North would be willing to come with them.

Columbus North makes a lot of sense for the Hoosier Hills, but if their district truly prohibits them from being in the same conference as Columbus East, maybe they apply to the Hoosier Heritage to replace Shelbyville.  They are much larger than most of the HHC schools and the trips to Delta and Yorktown would be long, so that would not be a good fit.  I think it’s either the MIC, Hoosier Hills, or independence for North.

Bloomington South could make sense for the Hoosier Hills as well.  They would have many long trips, but they are a very good fit by enrollment and competitive level.  If Columbus North is not allowed to join a conference with Columbus East, Bloomington South would be a good option to bring the Hoosier Hills back to 8 members.

Terre Haute North and South should try to persuade the Western Indiana Conference to admit them, and potentially split into large and small divisions.  The recent announcement that the WIC is adding Vincennes Lincoln could help their efforts.  My suggestion would be Edgewood, Northview, Vincennes Lincoln, Terre Haute North, and Terre Haute South in the large school division.  Then have Owen Valley, Sullivan, West Vigo, South Putnam, Cloverdale, and Brown County in the small school division.  I think it would actually be better for Brown County to jump to the Mid-Hoosier Conference and become their 8th member.  If that happened, the WIC would have an even 5 large schools and 5 small schools.

[US31]

I don't know how many times we've played "what if" on future conference changes....but I think there a at least a couple old threads on different conference changes that might happen in the next decade.  I don't forsee CG and Carmel being independent forever....and could see a reshaping of current MIC, HCC, and those indy area independents, along with some of these growing schools (e.g. Whiteland).

I know I've got an old post with what I thought could happen  (at least what I thought at that time....you can't hold me to it now, STATE LAW!).

[adambetz]

Columbus North and Bloomington South should apply for the Circle City Confereance imo. I'm not sure how the private schools would feel admitting publics but with Covenant and Heritage Christian's recent departures it'd be nice to fill out the all sports numbers while getting two solid football programs currently.

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, btownqbcoach1 said:

That's kind of why I was starting the discussion. Col North is in this boat right now. 

Great point......I don't mean for my comment to come off disrespectful as this conference has excellent competition.  Also, great point about the Bulldogs.  I just think its tougher in the post season if you haven't faced a certain level of 6A competition.  I also think Whiteland is going to continue to grow and grow over the next decade.  So much business coming to that area.  

[btownqbcoach1]

5 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Great point......I don't mean for my comment to come off disrespectful as this conference has excellent competition.  Also, great point about the Bulldogs.  I just think its tougher in the post season if you haven't faced a certain level of 6A competition.  I also think Whiteland is going to continue to grow and grow over the next decade.  So much business coming to that area.  

Oh I agree, Indian Creek and Franklin, too, seemingly. 

[HoopsCoach]

2 hours ago, US31 said:

I don't know how many times we've played "what if" on future conference changes....but I think there a at least a couple old threads on different conference changes that might happen in the next decade.  I don't forsee CG and Carmel being independent forever....and could see a reshaping of current MIC, HCC, and those indy area independents, along with some of these growing schools (e.g. Whiteland).

I know I've got an old post with what I thought could happen  (at least what I thought at that time....you can't hold me to it now, STATE LAW!).

The hypothetical I gave a few years ago was to expand the Hoosier Crossroads to 12 members and split into north/south divisions.  Maybe the move by Bloomington North to the Mid-State pushes a few schools (Southport, Columbus North) to at least consider suggesting an expansion like that.  Just a thought of what it could look like with the addition of some available 6A schools:

HCC North:

Carmel 5239

Fishers 3590

Hamilton Southeastern 3504

Noblesville 3264

Westfield 2937

Zionsville 2329

HCC South:

Avon 3518

Franklin Central 3423

Brownsburg 3331

Center Grove 2956

Southport 2419

Columbus North 2360

Edited February 13, 2025 by HoopsCoach

[Bears62]

2 hours ago, HoopsCoach said:

The hypothetical I gave a few years ago was to expand the Hoosier Crossroads to 12 members and split into north/south divisions.  Maybe the move by Bloomington North to the Mid-State pushes a few schools (Southport, Columbus North) to at least consider suggesting an expansion like that.  Just a thought of what it could look like with the addition of some available 6A schools:

HCC North:

Carmel 5239

Fishers 3590

Hamilton Southeastern 3504

Noblesville 3264

Westfield 2937

Zionsville 2329

HCC South:

Avon 3518

Franklin Central 3423

Brownsburg 3331

Center Grove 2956

Southport 2419

Columbus North 2360

Southport and CN would have no business being in the HCC. They would get dog walked in the large majority of sports, and the HCC wouldn't even consider either of the two