Top 10 Greatest High School Basketball Arenas in America

[@kevb301]

As a Hoosier, not surprised by most of these being from Indiana. We had the championship game in 1990 at the old Hoosier Dome, where the Colts played, with over 41k in attendance . The Indiana Basketball HoF is located next to New Castle HS. But I have to say, that El Paso Eastwood gym looks gorgeous. Also, Terre Haute is pronounced Tera Hote

[@Reading-Reid]

Franklin sucks

[@brendanlow586]

Thank you for saying something about Terre Haute!

[@kujorunit]

Glad to see the Hatchet House on here. Once saw two adult fans get into a fight there during a regional championship game. It was Cody Zeller’s senior year and the student sections were intense. When I first moved out of state, I was shocked to see how small high school gyms can be. It really is just a game everywhere else.

[@antonchigurh5336]

I was at that game. 😮

[@jeremyreynolds6330]

I was at that game too. Saw the whole thing.

[@antonchigurh5336]

@@jeremyreynolds6330 I was in like the third row down by the court behind the Boonville bench. It went down up higher behind me. It was a great game. Boonville had a big kid who played awesome and some good guards. I think their dad was the coach. I was just glad Princeton wasn't there. They thought they were Montverde or something when they won it all as sophomores but never did anything after. I think some of those fellows even ended up in prison.

[@kujorunit]

@@antonchigurh5336 The two senior guards for Boonville were the coach's sons. There were at least four players on that Boonville team that played collegiate basketball (no D1 players like Zeller, though). The post player you're probably talking about had a good career at OCU if memory serves.

[@frmn111]

The Hatchet House is absolutely amazing along with the people that take care of it. I helped coach a regional and 2 semi state games in this arena. When the team walked in for our practice pre-regional they had music from the movie “Hoosiers” playing over the loud speakers. All of us coaches were taken back and in awe!!!! We took the team around to the trophy display and to the front hall way to witness the historical images captured on the wall. What an amazing experience for those kids. The people there at the Washington Hatchet House were absolutely amazing!!!!

[@projectswithgrandpasteve9459]

I attended Anderson High School in the early 70's and loved the Wigwam. Little fact that many don't know, the Wigwam and the New Castle gyms hosted several Indiana Pacer games when there were in the ABA. Both gyms had significantly higher seating capacities than the old Field House that the Pacers normally played at in those days.

[@robertalsup6959]

Although no longer used, the old Anderson High School gym in Anderson, Indiana was the largest in the US for a while. Home of the Anderson Indians, it was known as the Wigwam. Saw many a great game their and a lot of history in that gym.

[@stevegarland296]

Yes, the Wigwam should be on any shortlist of historic gymnasiums.

[@wrknathome9254]

Was hoping someone mentioned the wigwam! I went to Madison heights HS in the mid 80s. Great times for Indiana basketball. Loved going to see games at the wigwam. The "dance" before the game with the indian couple was fantastic to see as a kid.

[@marcuslee1927]

Glad to see Chinle get mentioned. Rez Ball is an experience that everyone should witness.

[@billydunn.160]

Half correct but 9 out of 10 of largest HS gyms are all in the great basketball state of Indiana but at least he got New Castle right

[@drizzant23]

Chinle looks better and bigger than New Castles

[@christopherpriebe8910]

Duster Thomas Gymnasium in Pinckneyville, Illinois could definitely be on this list. The Panthers home court is a bowl style gym built in the 1950’s with a capacity of around 2,400. The school only has an enrollment of around 420 students and is one of only 7 schools in the country to win over 2,000 games in program history and has won state championships in 1948, 1994, and 2001.

[@bendierking6986]

Similar to that is the gym in Jacksonville IL. I don’t know the name of it but it’s also cool.

[@ILOVETHEWHAMMY]

I spent 4 years in the Jim Mann Green Dome as a student manager!

[@logotzip3967]

Gotta include Rock Island High School in Illionis! It can hold over 6000 people and has a catwalk!

[@markbrowning4334]

Not saying they should be on the list, but Benton High school in Illinois had a gym that always interested me growing up. It seemed more like a college gym, but I know better now that it didn't have the seating capacity to truly be one. But for one, they had a lower bowl that was made up of bleachers.(no big deal there) Then they had an upper bowl with a legitemate concourse that you could walk completely around the perimeter of. I just found this unusual for a high school gym of that time. The seating on the two long runs of the upper level were actual chair seats and seemed to go for ever. The other unique characteristic was their rubber floor. They've since yanked that thing and gone to a traditional hardwood, but it was different at the time. Again, not making a case for it to be on the list, but it always stood out to me as a gym that punched above its weight for high school venues.

[@mikebarlow214]

Meanwhile, in neighboring Jacksonville, Illinois, the Jacksonville Bowl looks like it would fit in with this collection you provided. Built in 1952, it has bleacher style seating that can hold (unofficially) 3000 spectators, natural lighting from window walls on east and west side of the arena, and features one of the Illinois first Sports Hall Of Fame dedicated to the local high school community.

[@toddwest6459]

Two of the photos for Scott gymnasium in Seymour are actually of Muncie fieldhouse… and one of the photos for Garrett gymnasium Shelbyville is wrong

[@Penfold497]

Sounds like more of a Shelbyville idea tbh

[@fletch3758]

Can you do a Top 10 Greatest HS Baseball Stadiums next please?!

[@brianc1651]

Martz Hall in Pottsville, PA, is pretty amazing. Kobe played there in the State Tournament.

[@holdenrayl7953]

Not listed on here is the Frankfort High School Arena in Frankfort, Indiana which was the location used for the movie “Blue Chips”.

[@chrisdillon5514]

West Terry Hot, Indiana This guy has clearly never been to Indiana.

[@A350Airways]

Or rather, it was hard to just pick 10 in Indiana...

[@dwightanderson8331]

Tulsa Union has a nice arena. It seats around 5,800. It has been used for a college post season tournament but what makes it interesting is the alumni shop and the north side which has indoor suites over looking the south end of the football field. It was built about 7 - 10 years ago.

[@erichirons4081]

I saw the Muncie Fieldhouse, but it wasn’t actually mentioned in the video. Growing up in Indiana I was able to attend games in several of the gyms that were mentioned. Indiana basketball was truly special before the multiple class divisions that exist today. I can’t even put into words how awesome it was and how it created a buzz all around town when games were being played. Needless to say, multiple divisions has devastated the true heritage of Indiana basketball. Just to put it into perspective, would the movie Hoosiers even exist if class basketball was in place during the time of Milan versus Muncie Central?

[@bendierking6986]

Check out Wharton Fieldhouse in Moline, Illinois. Not as big as some here but a nice place for basketball nonetheless.

[@Bishopaaronbeachy]

The Kokomo wildcats are preparing to play in the state championship game as we speak!

[@packisbetter90]

I live in Indiana and went to high school at Avon. The gym there seemed huge too. Not 8000 people big but definitely at least 5 thousand

[@JTCUTRER5]

You should do this but for Division 3 basketball arenas, along with a weirdest arenas in D3

[@kj9093]

There is a reason that 8 of the top 10 high school basketball arenas are in Indiana. Basketball is still a big deal in Indiana, even though they ruined the high school tournament in 1998 by introducing multi-class basketball.

[@davidwilliams2268]

Depends… Many 1,2 and 3 star schools would have never made the Championship game had it not been for that move. A school of 300 is going to rarely compete with the schools of 1000+ students. Limited budgets and most of all, limited players pools.

[@gregmoody622]

Basketball was born in Massachusetts, spent its youth in Kansas, but it came of age in Indiana.

[@mhshow21]

Breathitt county Ky Colosseum, next video needs to be on there. One of the better High school domes I’ve ever seen

[@tperk]

Can't believe I attended games at half of these arenas when I was a kid.

[@alexwilliams4925]

You should take a look at Rockne Hall in Allentown & Pottsville Area Middle School Martz Hall in Pottsville

[@chuck6330]

The UMAC at Tulsa Union HS, Tulsa, OK. Seats 5600, It hosted the D-I Summit League Men’s tournament from 2005-2008. Never heard of another HS hosting an NCAA Division I conference tournament before.

[@ronhummel9350]

That’s because in Indiana college gyms are really huge! No need to have a HS host! 42 K pros don’t get that for a single BB game!

[@chuck6330]

@@ronhummel9350 I get the state pride, but that’s a weird point to make. Pros don’t get that attendance because pro arenas aren’t built that large. There’s no basketball-specific indoor arena that holds 42k people. Oklahoma has multiple arenas that seat upwards of 18k, I just thought it was interesting that a conference chose to host their tournament at an (admittedly very nice) high school arena.

[@dwightanderson8331]

Chuck i went to that tournament because one of my nieces played in it 2 years. I made a similar post but couldn't remember the conference name. Also mentioned the suites on the northside over looking the south end of the football stadium and when the stadium renovations get completed that will be a nice view. I live north of OKC but I was told the suites are for sponsers and season ticket holders do you know anything about that?

[@supermidgaming]

Love the way you say Terry Haute lmfao

[@sing3prima]

It took me a sec to realize what city he was trying to say and then I literally lol'ed!

[@jwhine]

damn the way you pronounced terre haute was like nails on a chalkboard

[@hepcat91179]

How one of the most iconic and historic arenas in the country, Martz Hall in Pottsville, PA is not on the list is astounding.

[@brianc1651]

Just said the same thing.

[@drizzant23]

The Navajo Nation has 6 large gyms. Two of them being the largest and they are the Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Center and the Chinle Wildcat Den. They both look bigger than New Castle's gym. It's just not Indiana, it's also Native Americans who love their REZBALL!! The 6 large gyms of the Navajo Nation: 1. The Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center 2. The Chinle Wildcat Den 3. The Ganado Pavilion 4. The Tuba City Warrior Pavilion 5. The Shiprock Chieftain Pitt 6. The Nash Center

[@parrishstevens]

Marion Indiana Bill Green arena? It’s larger then most on your list. And the history is unmatched in any state.

[@chiappazzi]

Im from the indiana and yes we are the state for basketball small town shops still shut down for the games some towns even travel to other towns behind the bus like a war party. There is every where else then there's Indiana!

[@jeremiahbarr7172]

God I love that Indiana is on here like 7 times. Next time just name in top 10 Indiana high school arenas lol I LOVE IT

[@Bonbonsfordinner]

Yoo props to the arena content , I love it!

[@seriespott2711]

I’m a Hoosier. This is crazy! I’ve been in all the gyms he listed and played in half of them. Indiana is the basketball state

[@AidentheAnderson]

A middle school near mine has a dome with full 360 seating

[@lanegascoigne3474]

Man, you should’ve seen the courts I played on in middle and high school.

[@asherstribe5695]

How do you not have Northside Gym on here? Indiana is the best state in the country for high school basketball. Gyms are amazing.

[@kranzandstern]

Need to mention that Chinle, Arizona is on the Navajo IR.

[@johnnybala5112]

West Terry Hot!

[@146TS]

I'm assuming arenas like Merrell Center(Katy ISD), Berry Center (Cy-Fair ISD), and Northside ISD Sports Gym don't qualify since they're district venues for multiple schools.

[@jasonrives1966]

You missed all of the Northeast Tennessee high school arenas like Viking and Freedom Hall.

[@unclelew7721]

Check out North Murray High School in Chatsworth, GA

[@brawnsongould9436]

Fighting Scouts Events Center?

[@jasonmontgomery8793]

Henry County - New Castle KY

[@BombaBVI]

You’re missing Wharton Field House in Moline, IL. 7,300.

[@jonathanwoods3136]

Biggest I’ve ever seen and definitely could’ve been on here is Kettering fairmont in Kettering Ohio.

[@thomasclark3348]

Interesting pronunciation of Terre Haute

[@notnek202]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@philvaclavik6890]

There a lot of HUGE high school gyms in Indiana. This barely scratched the surface

[@rylan902]

Wheeler high school has a nice one

[@56_era]

You should’ve added buford high school in Georgia

[@isaaczimmerman6259]

you should check out the williams center at wylie east high school

[@Everythingis22]

I live 5 minutes from it and it is nice. Having said that, I grew up in Indiana and there was nothing like Indiana basketball when it was a one-class tournament. They gyms were (are) amazing, huge and packed to the brim. Sectionals were all local schools competing so the energy blew the roof off.

[@imperfectivnz]

Honorable Mention: Russellville, Arkansas - Cyclone Arena

[@trxv.]

athens is probably my favorite

[@skylerman111]

Ummm… #2 is Muncie Centrals gym and half of the pics you used aren’t even the right gym? Super confused cuz I went there 😂 you should probably update this man

[@jacobsearfoss7983]

Martz Hall Pottsville,PA

[@VincentScales]

Martz Hall was built in 1970 and seats a little more than 4,000 people.

[@jacobsearfoss7983]

@@VincentScales it’s a great place to watch a high school basketball game. Also the Giegle Complex in Reading is classic as well. O

[@brianc1651]

Agree on both. Such cool, non cookie cutter places.

[@jamesthemaniac3293]

I'm just gonna note the errors: 1: Costed is not a word 2: Its pronounced "Terra Hote" 3: The green arena is not a "dome" and there are over a dozen gyms just in Indiana with the same roof design including multiple other gyms literally in this video..I mean the shelbyville gym LITERALLY has a dome... 4: Your picture for the Scott Gymnasium is a different gym entirely...Its the Muncie Fieldhouse. Do some research man....

[@stevewilmoth4813]

Natural light isn't a selling point for an arena. Why would you want to play and game shoot into the sunlight?

[@MikeD8706]

you have expand and explore your option across america i am very positive that their are even better HS gyms in other states other than INDIANA

[@RionAgrias]

As the majority of the largest and oldest HS gyms are in Indiana, (historian here who did studies for the history of HS basketball for the Indiana Historical Society) it's kind of obvious that the list is peppered with gyms from that state.

[@ronhummel9350]

Find them then! Or shut the -- up!

[@stevegarland296]

It's not Terry Hot, it's pronounced Terra Hote Rhymes with note.

[@ericISpanthersn]

A lot of these gyms are better than some d1 facilities

[@rtm457]

New Castle can install their temporary bleachers around the top of walking track and increase seating to over 9000.

[@kranzandstern]

We don't have the money to pay teachers, but we have the money to build arenas like this. Priorities.

[@thehulk1177]

You do realize the school or the state would never fund a gym or for football stadium if that caliber. Size maybe. Because if the number of students can justify the need then it may be granted. Most of this is just booster money.

[@soonerwhirle]

Most of these listed from Indiana were built in the fifties and sixties. They've actually paid for themselves several times over.

[@jamellerome2649]

buford high school in buford, ga

[@bg31282]

Wow Richmond Red Devils not in here is a disappointment. Our court is better then any of those shown from Indiana

[@talldude5841]

Big mistake that you did not mention the Canton Field House, home to the Canton McKinnley Bulldogs. Iconic arena and has been for over 60 years. You need to get out ot Indiana son.

[@CurtisDavis-w3k]

#HelloHoopsCrisis!

[@CreightonRabs]

They take their high school basketball seriously in Indiana...

[@tommyriam8320]

4:35 Why are the clowns in white wearing skirts?

[@cadody5319]

Bro doesn’t know how to say Terre Haute 😂😂😂

[@BombaBVI]

Natural light inside basketball arenas is overrated and even stupid in many cases.

[@williamdavenport9824]

Learn how to pronounce the name of the city of West Vigo HS in Terre Haute, IN.

[@jordankennerknecht4929]

Since Texas and Florida get there reputations when it comes to football the state of Indiana is different when it comes to basketball.

[@itzatravist2755]

Lol you must be from indiana..

[@Penfold497]

America’s official state religion is n worship

[@bobbyswain7049]

Meh.....not what I was expecting tbh

[@jdredwine7224]

Arkansas has about 10 better than half of these.

[@GoUMBuckeyeater]

Surprised to see so many Indiana school. I know they love basketball but anytime I’ve gone to Indiana there is nothing there 😂

[@notnek202]

Oh please🙄 where you from?

[@bigpasty1582]

It's crazy that many junior colleges and division 2 and 3 colleges don't have gyms this nice😮😅

[@jeffnovorita3017]

East Chicago, IN high school gym holds 7,000 and so does Gary West Side. Up until the late 90's/early 2000's, Indiana High School basketball wasn't a sport, it was a religion.

[@andrewdyke5561]

Where is southport high school and Richmond high school

[@chickshrimpkin]

There is not a single bad view from any of the 7,300 capacity octagonally-aligned bleacher seats at Southport Fieldhouse. It is worth a look if you ever happen upon the Sunny Southside of Indy!🏀👍

[@ctex7812]

So Indiana high school basketball is equivalent to Texas high school football

[@soonerwhirle]

Yep

[@Keepdapocket]

Only in name, not in talent. No ballers are coming from Indiana like that. A few, but not enough to put them in comparison to Texas Football. Like not even close

[@michaelsandy6963]

I remember the high school I went to in Indiana had a massive gymnasium that they built the year before I moved. The high school I moved to in California had probably 2 times the number of students but a smaller gym. For a while there the high school I went to in Indiana had 4 gymnasiums but I think the old varsity gym ended up being turned into classrooms after the new one was built. The high school also had a large indoor nadatorium with a swimming pool and diving area.

[@jodydalton3771]

You should look at the UMAC at Union High School in Tulsa, OK

[@MasonWest20]

I have been to most of the bigger gyms Indiana and have played in Seymour and felt giant to be playing on the court. Indiana high school basketball is just something different.

[@smith285]

I play in the band for Seymour, it's so surreal seeing the court where I usually sit courtside on this list.

[@drewfranklin4809]

Defiance Ohio's high school gym should be on this list. It's beautiful!

[@jasongerber6972]

Really sick video man would like more unique basketball courts

[@augustwiese8948]

This dude sound exactly like mr. Nightmare

[@Razorbacksby90]

First gym has to Be this kids high school. Not one of the nicest, should have looked a union in Tulsa!

[@jordynirvin6647]

These are some really great gyms, but you should check out Shelby, Montana's High School gym. It's an amazing venue in the middle of nowhere 30 minutes from the Canada USA border!!! Seats well over 4,000 in a town with a population of 3,200. If you've played or been to a game here with a full house their's nothing like it.

[@mic1240]

Are many other domed HS stadiums in Indiana, including Frankfort, Shelbyville,Benton Central, some of older Indiana arenas no longer used like The Wigwam in Anderson were huge. Richmond Tierman Center (capacity was 8,100) and East Chicago Central have huge gyms too

[@7andscape]

New castle lied the wigwam is the real largest high school gymnasium on earth. Dont believe me Google them.... Its defunct now but is about to be recommissioned for some games. Its also the loudest gym in history. Over the lifetime it had a 94% home game win percentage (which you won't find a comparison at any level.

[@rh9477]

I remember going into New Castle’s gym as a little kid and feeling like I was walking into Madison Square Garden or something, I assumed New Castle must be this giant city 😂

[@SnowyFox1831]

At Hoover well I saw pictures of there basketball arena so it good i think?!….

[@McSus2]

Idk why Sometimes El Paso Texas arenas or stadiums are on their!

[@monexpo86]

If your talking Indiana im surprised the Frankfort gym isnt on here

[@Rockett16]

Ellis Davis Field house for Dallas isd has 2 levels of seating and has seating all the way around and has a capacity of 7500.

[@TheStadiumNerd]

Yeah but these are all for just one school

[@h25c1]

It’s pronounced teara hote. I don’t blame you tho.