Random Thoughts: good luck and more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Random Thoughts include good luck wishes, an old school gym, basketball tournament sites, an update on a lawsuit against OHSAA and the XFL.

Good luck

Best of luck to Crestview, Lincolnview and Van Wert as they begin boys basketball sectional play this week, and best of luck as well to the Crestview girls in the Division IV district against Ottoville.

Good luck as well to Van Wert and Lincolnview wrestlers at sectionals and to Van Wert High School bowler Lorrie Decker, who’s making her third straight appearance at the State tournament in Columbus this Saturday.

Old school

Friday night was my first trip to the Celina Fieldhouse and I have to say, I really enjoyed the place.

Talk about old school. Scott Alan of WERT said he believes it was built in the 1940s and it was one hailed as one of the premier facilities in this part of the state. I believe it.

Of course, it’s not as flashy as the newer gyms, but I like the idea of the history of the place, the players and games from decades gone by.

Tournament sites

A tip of the hat to any and all schools who host girls and/or boys tournament basketball games, including Van Wert, Lincolnview, Paulding, Elida, Lima Sr. and Defiance. There are more of course, but you get the idea.

It’s a big undertaking, a lot of thankless work, but it’s much appreciated.

Update on Cleveland Hts. vs. OHSAA

Last week, I wrote about Cleveland Heights planning to appeal OHSAA’s decision to ban the school from this year’s basketball tournament over a trip to Las Vegas close to the holidays.

I didn’t think Cleveland Heights had a leg to stand on, but this goes to show I’m not a lawyer. The school took OHSAA to court and on Monday, a judge sided with Cleveland Heights and ordered the Tigers be allowed to participate in the tournament.

I don’t always agree with OHSAA, but I’m not sure I like the precedent.

Whether you like the Ohio High School Athletic Association or not, I think we can agree that rules and regulations are needed, and it feels like Cleveland Heights skirted the rules about out-of-state travel and days missed, etc. and got away with it.

XFL

I watched a bit more of the XFL over the weekend.

It’s not a bad little league, but this league needs some quarterbacks. At least in my opinion, that’s a huge weak spot right now. I realize that most of the top-flight quarterbacks are with NFL teams, but football is now a quarterback driven sport.

Somehow, they’ll have to figure this out.

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