Monday Mailbag: HS basketball talk

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Monday Mailbag features questions about district basketball venues and the state tournament, seeding at the Division IV Elida district, plus a comment about Van Wert boys’ basketball.

Q: I’m confused. Will district basketball games be played at the higher seed’s court or at a neutral site? I’ve seen and heard both. Name withheld upon request

A: Only girls and boys sectional semifinal and championship games will be held at the higher seed’s court this year. District basketball games will be played at neutral sites, along with the regionals and state tournaments. We should know this week where regional and state games will be played.

I must confess, I originally thought district games would be at the higher seed’s court this year, but that isn’t the case.

Q: What are your thoughts on seeding at the Division IV boys’ basketball? Did they get it right? Name withheld upon request

A: I think so, especially at the top of the Division IV Elida district.

Columbus Grove and Ottoville are deserving of the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds and honestly, it’s going to take someone’s best game of the season to keep either out of the district final. Yes, upsets can and do happen, but these two will be a real handful for anyone in the district.

In my mind, Crestview is in the right spot as the No. 3 seed. Kalida and Lincolnview are probably in the correct spots at No. 4 and No. 5 and the same can be said for Leipic at No. 6.

C: I just want to give a shout out to the Van Wert boys basketball team. What a turnaround by the team this season. Great job guys! Name withheld upon request

A: I’ll second that. Due to a late start, two quarantines and a brutal schedule it was a rough start for the Cougars, but this team kept plugging away.

The Cougars are 9-3 in their last 12 games, with the only losses coming to St. Marys Memorial, Shawnee and Crestview and no doubt Saturday’s win over No. 8 Ottawa-Glandorf was the highlight of the season.

Q: With state wrestling being held at three different sites this year, do you think that’s the way the Ohio High School Athletic Association will do the same for state basketball? Name withheld upon request

A: Your guess is as good as mine.

I’m leaning toward yes, the OHSAA will use multiple sites for state semifinal and state championship games and it’s possible they’ll all be situated in the Columbus area.

However, I wouldn’t bet any money on that prediction.

Hopefully, we’ll find out this week what the plan is for the girls and boys state tournaments.

If you have a question or comment for the next Monday Mailbag, please email it to sports@thevwindependent.com.