Whether you’re watching network news, reading a hometown newspaper or visiting with a colleague at the proverbial water cooler, one topic trumps all others these days—THE ECONOMY. And more times than not, the tone skews toward the negative.

Here’s a positive twist to “the topic of the day.” It’s not going to save our automakers or reverse the direction of the NYSE. But it is a practical way for you and your family to enjoy an evening of entertainment at a price most families can afford, even in today’s coupon-clipping world.

This Friday or Saturday night, take your family to a boys’ or girls’ high school basketball game. Tickets at most Indiana high schools are only $5.00 each. Parking is free. And the hot, freshly popped popcorn costs about a dollar a bag.

So a family of four can enjoy an entertaining night out for less than $30.00, depending on the choices you make at the concession stand.

There are other positives, too. In most cases you’ll be able to sit in unreserved, floor level seats on a first-come, first-served basis. The kind of front row seats that usually sell for hundreds of dollars at most professional sports venues. There’s nothing as much fun or engaging as being close to the action, especially if you have children in your family.

You won’t have to wonder if you are attending a G, PG, or NC17-rated event. High school basketball in Indiana is pure, unadulterated, wholesome family entertainment.

And for most of us, the high school in our community is located just minutes from home. So it won’t take much time or cost much money to get there.

In reality, the modest sum of money your family spends to attend a high school sporting event is more of an investment than an expense. That’s because high school ticket revenue is used to pay for team uniforms, upgrade equipment and help support sports like cross country, swimming & diving, tennis and track & field; sports that do not typically generate enough revenue to be self-sustaining.

It’s also an investment in the young men and women who are learning that being a representative of their school means they also are representatives of their community. By supporting them now, we are affirming the importance of citizenship, sportsmanship and community service in years to come.

Most importantly, attending a high school sporting event is an investment in the children in your own family. They will see firsthand how attributes such as dedication, hard work, persistence and teamwork have their just reward. And their role models are likely to become the high school players they watch perform; young men and women who are physically fit and mentally prepared.

These are tough times for many of us living in Indiana. But as it’s been said, with adversity comes opportunity. And the opportunity to introduce your family to Indiana high school basketball (or any other high school sport) not only will be welcome from an entertainment standpoint, it also will prove to be a wise investment in your family, your high school and your community,

In short, buying a ticket to an Indiana high school basketball game is the best $5.00 you could possibly spend.

Blake Ress is a former high school teacher, coach, referee, athletic director and principal. He currently is the commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.