Random Thoughts: HS shot clock & more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Random Thoughts center around Van Wert, the halfway point of the basekball season, the shot clock debate, the national championship game and the newest head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Big challenges (updated)

If anyone in northwest Ohio has a more challenging schedule than Van Wert or Lincolnview this weekend, I’d like to know who it is.

The Cougars will play at state ranked and undefeated Ottawa-Glandorf on Friday and at 10-2 Bryan on Saturday. Meanwhile, Lincolnview will host 10-1 Bluffton on Friday, then will travel to Antwerp the following night to play the undefeated and state ranked Archers.

Big challenges indeed.

Halfway home

It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached roughly the halfway point of the high school basketball season.

It’s also hard to believe that girls’ sectional tournaments will begin in just over a month.

Shot clock

I’ve noticed the high school shot clock debate has fired up again.

One thing I’ve learned about this argument – either you’re passionately for it or vehemently against it. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in the middle.

Supporters say it would end stall ball. To those people I ask have you ever actually seen true stall ball, outside of Paul Wayne’s days at Holgate and to a lesser extent now at Tinora?

I’ve covered high school basketball for 30 years, and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen true stall ball and all of those were in the sectional tournament, when one team was a big underdog. It’s a strategy, nothing more, nothing less.

As I’ve noted before, I’m not in favor of a shot clock at the high school level, simply because it would most likely widen the gap between good teams and bad teams.

If a team is already struggling to put the ball in the basket, how is putting a time limit in effect going to help?

In addition, let’s say a shot clock becomes reality – who’s going to pay for them, who’s going to run them, etc.?

Until someone successfully convinces me otherwise, I think the cons far outnumber the pros.

National championship game

Confession time: I thought LSU was in trouble when they went down 17-7 last night. Clemson looked like they were on a roll and I wasn’t sure if LSU could respond.

They did indeed respond in a big way. Very impressive.

Kevin Stefanski

Former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski is the newest head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

At least for now, the decision doesn’t seem to be a big hit with fans, but who knows how this is really going to turn out, assuming the Haslams don’t try to start from scratch again in a year or two?

Personally, I’ll try to withhold judgment until I see the on the field product.

As always, if you have thoughts on any of the above subjects, feel free to email me at sports@thevwindependent.com.