5 toughest high school basketball state titles to win

Indiana Class 4A
Defending champion: Bloomington South
2011-12 contenders: Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers), Kokomo, Lawrence Central (Indianapolis), Lawrence North (Indianapolis), North Central (Indianapolis), Pike (Indianapolis)
The chase: Many Indiana fans are still bitter over the IHSAA instituting multi-class basketball in 1997. The decision closed the book on a tradition-rich, single-class state tournament that spawned the movie Hoosiers.

While it's no longer possible for a team like Milan in 1953-54 (enrollment 161) to knock off the big boys, the state's 4A classification is still about as compelling and competitive as it gets. Six of the last eight state titlists have finished in the national rankings, including 2005-06 mythical national champion Lawrence North. That team was led by the fabled tandem of Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr.

Bloomington South has won two of the last three 4A titles but looks like a longshot to add to the trophy case this winter. Perennial powers like Lawrence North and North Central and star talents like Gary Harris (Hamilton Southeastern) and Jeremy Hollowell (Lawrence Central) will ensure that fans pack Conseco Fieldhouse once again in March.