Miscellaneous Musings

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

With the 2017-2018 winter sports regular season coming to an end, I thought I’d share some random thoughts about basketball, bowling, wrestling and other sports, and I’m interested to know what you think. You can email your thoughts and/or views to sports@thevwindependent.com.

Basketball state rankings

The final boys’ basketball state rankings came out on Wednesday. I have two questions: Why doesn’t the Associated Press wait until the season is complete before issuing a final poll, and where is Crestview in Division IV?

Say what you will about the poll – some people look at it as gospel, others are skeptical about it. A lot of coaches have a love-hate relationship with it – many believe if you’re ranked it puts a big target on your back. On the other hand, a state ranking shows what others what the team/program has accomplished.

After a 4-3 start, the Knights (18-3, 7-0 NWC) have won 14 straight games and have done so in impressive fashion, especially as of late. This team is talented, well coached, in-sync, focused and completely overlooked by A.P. voters.

A total of 13 teams garnered votes in the final Division IV poll. With no disrespect to those teams, I’d stack Crestview up against any of them, and I expect this team to show some voters the error of their ways during the tournament.

Fun times for Crestview hoops

There can’t be many schools around the state that can match Crestview’s combined winning streaks. While the Knights have won 14 straight, the Lady Knights have put together 11 consecutive victories heading into Saturday’s sectional championship game against Hicksville. It’s safe to say both teams are playing their best basketball at the right time of the season.

Lincolnview Lancers

If you’ve seen them this season, you know what I’m talking about – this team is fun to watch. The Lancers (14-7, 7-1 NWC) are a bit undersized but they make up for it with hustle and an attacking style of play, especially on offense. They are very proficient from beyond the three point arc and tend to stun opponents by scoring a lot of points in a relatively short amount of time, and like Crestview, this team is well coached. In my opinion, Lincolnview is a little underrated on defense.

The Lancers will close the regular season against Perry on Friday, then will open sectional play against Continental at Paulding High School next Tuesday.

Speaking of fun to watch…

I’m calling it right now. A team that will be fun to watch and should top the .500 mark next season is the Van Wert Lady Cougars.

Van Wert’s season came to an end in the Division II sectional semifinals on Tuesday (a 61-44 loss to Elida) and the Lady Cougars lost two talented seniors – Cassidy Meyers and Alexis Rupert, but the rest of the roster returns.

Coach Rob Adams is making strides with this group. The Lady Cougars won six games last year, eight games this year and the team is poised for bigger and better things in 2018-2019.

A new rule made it’s debut

A running clock was used in some girls’ basketball tournament games this week, including Ottoville/Hardin Northern (70-8). The OHSAA adopted the rule, which calls for a continuous clock in the second half if the difference between two teams reaches 35 points. The running clock rule stays in effect unless the margin drops below 30 points, and it’ll be in effect for both the girls’ and boys’ tournaments. It’s similar to the so-called football “Mercy Rule” that was adopted in 2014.

Delphos Jefferson looking for a new football coach

Switching from hoops to the gridiron, Delphos Jefferson head coach Brandon Behnfeldt announced his resignation earlier this week. In his lone season at the helm, the Wildcats went 6-4 (4-3 NWC).

The Delphos City Schools Board of Education will begin the search for Behnfeldt’s replacement.

Bowling districts at Rossford

Best of luck to four high school bowlers competing at Interstate Lanes in Rossford. Van Wert’s Lorrie Decker, Chloe Spry and Nathan Bidlack will compete at the Division II level, along with Lincolnview’s Shiann Kraft.

Wrestling postseason set to begin

Best of luck to all area wrestlers taking part in sectionals Friday and Saturday. Division II action will be held at Napoleon High School and Division III wrestlers will compete at Lima Central Catholic.