The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Monday Mailbag: December 2, 2019

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Monday Mailbag includes a comment about Lincolnview boys’ basketball coach Brett Hammons and questions about Kalen Etzler, state championship games and Jim Haurbaugh.

Q: Hi Scott, I don’t have a question, but I did hear on the radio broadcast of Saturday’s Lincolnview at Van Wert game that Brett Hammons earned his 100th victory, and I’d just like to congratulate him. Name withheld upon request

A: Let me add my congratulations as well. 100 wins is a milestone and he’s deserving of recognition. I’ve dealt with a lot of basketball coaches over the years and he’s certainly one of the better ones that I’ve seen.

Q: When is Kalen Etzler due to return? Name withheld upon request

A: I don’t have that answer and I’m not quite sure anyone does as the moment. The 6-8 wing missed the opening weekend with a medical issue.

The best answer I can give is he’ll return when he’s able to.

Q: Is there a plan in the works to return state championship football games to Columbus? All championship games, regardless of the sport should be held in a centralized location. Name withheld upon request

A: I’ve heard rumblings that the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state football championship games could return to Ohio Stadium at some point, but only time will tell if and when that actually happens.

As far as centralized locations, it seems ideal, but football isn’t the only sport that holds championship games away from the Columbus area. There’s volleyball near Dayton, tennis near Cincinnati, swimming in Canton and baseball and softball in Akron.

For various reasons, facilities aren’t always available in Columbus, and you can’t force a site to host a particular event.

Q: PLEASE withhold my name – As a Michigan fan, I’m already taking enough grief.

It’s painfully obvious that Jim Harbaugh isn’t the guy. How much more do we have to take and what’s it going to take to find someone else? Name withheld upon request.

A: Without insider access it’s hard to say for sure, but there doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming cry to fire him/buy him out, perhaps because that would be an expensive proposition.

But let’s say that happened, or perhaps an NFL team showed up with a boatload of money – who would you want to take the job, and would that person want it?

While I’m an Ohio State fan, I can sympathize – I lived through the John Cooper era.

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

POSTED: 12/02/19 at 2:02 am. FILED UNDER: Sports