Random Thoughts: hoops, hockey & more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Random Thoughts center around a winning Saturday for Van Wert County’s three boys basketball teams, ranked teams, the Super Bowl, the XFL and a huge hockey fight.

Winner, winner, winner

Congratulations to Crestview, Lincolnview and Van Wert for posting impressive basketball wins on Saturday.

It’s safe to say that Van Wert and Lincolnview went in as underdogs against Bryan and Delphos St. John’s, while Crestview was considered pretty even with Hicksville.

Here’s hoping all three teams can keep the ball rolling this week.

Ranked teams

Two Western Buckeye League teams are ranked in the top five of the latest Associated Press boys basketball poll.

Shawnee (17-0) is up two spots to No. 3 in this week’s Division II poll, while Ottawa-Glandorf (15-1) is down two spots to No. 4 in Division III. The Indians defeated the Titans last weekend.

Columbus Grove (14-0) is this week’s No. 1 team in Division IV, switching spots with No. 2 New Boston Glenwood. Antwerp (16-0) is up three spots to No. 4, and Ottoville (14-3) jumped five spots to No. 12.

Not a bad showing for the area.

Super Bowl 54

My prediction of the San Francisco 49ers winning Super Bowl 54 looked pretty good halfway through the fourth quarter, then the Kansas City Chiefs scored three times to lock up a 31-20 victory.

I’m happy for the Chiefs because it’s nice to see smaller market teams win championships, and I’m happy that Andy Reid finally got a Super Bowl title.

It’s a tough loss for the 49ers. Personally, I’d rather lose by 40 than lose like that.

XFL

Like other football fans, I’ll give the XFL an obligatory look, and I hope it fares better than the AAF did last year. That league folded eight weeks into a ten week season.

History hasn’t been kind to pro leagues outside of the NFL, so we’ll see what, if anything the XFL can do to survive.

Komets fight

Has anyone seen the fight between the Fort Wayne Komets and the Jacksonville Icemen? It happened on Friday.

I’ve seen hockey fights before, but not like this. If you haven’t seen it, here’s the link.

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