It seems like we're all making this harder than it needs to be because no one wants their feelings hurt. All we're asking here is whether travel teams would be able to compete in IHSA.

In Illinois, the best 18U clubs right now are Bandits, Chill and Cheetahs. Let's call them "A", even if it breaks some hearts.

Then, because there has to be a level below, and because the alphabet has worked in this order since the 16th Century, we'll call it "B". That level would include NLL, Sparks and Denison. Maybe others.

I think our Illinois A teams would win IHSA hands down. Not sure if they'd go undefeated, but I bet they'd go undefeated at least against public HSs.

I think our Illinois B teams would do quite well, winning most conferences and maybe contending for IHSA titles.

But please, let's all put on our big boy trousers and be able to speak truth there to A, B and - GOD FORBID - C.