Monday Mailbag: February 24, 2020

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Monday Mailbag features questions about boys sectional matchups, Parkway basketball and the Associated Press high school basketball poll.

Q: Some of the matchups in the boys sectionals don’t make much sense. Can you shed some light on the thought process? Name withheld upon request

A: The higher the seed, the more options you have. After that, it’s a matter of trying to position yourself with the best possible chance to win. Once you get to the middle and especially the later seeds, those options become limited.

Some coaches like a first round bye if it’s an option, others like to play right away, so some of it may be personal preference.

Q: I’m interested to know how far you think Parkway will go in the tournament. Name withheld upon request

A: Parkway is an exciting team to watch. They have some nice talent and coaching.

The Panthers are the No. 2 seed in the Division IV Wapakoneta district and it’s quite possible they could face Minster in the district semifinals, a rematch of the regular season finale won by the Panthers at the buzzer 40-39. After that, it would likely be a rematch with No. 1 seed Fort Recovery.

With no disrespect to other teams in the district, Parkway is probably the one I’d want to avoid if at all possible.

Q: You wrote last week that the Associated Press issued it’s final poll of the season. That doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t they wait until the regular season is over? Name withheld upon request

A: I agree, you’d think the final poll would come out after the regular season is complete.

I was told a couple of years ago that the poll comes out a week early because some teams in the metro areas start tournaments earlier, so they only want regular season totals counted.

Easy enough – don’t count any tournament games in the final poll. I’m not sure what the hang up is, if that’s really why the final poll comes out before the end of the regular season.

Having said that, at least this year, I don’t think the poll champions would have changed by waiting another week.

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