Random Thoughts: hoops and baseball

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This edition of Random Thoughts centers around champions vs. champions, good thinking, a girls regional fun fact, Ohio State basketball and Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.

Defending champions vs. poll champions

It’s a matchup you don’t see that often, but the defending state champions will face the Associated Press poll champions, and it’s happening tonight.

The defending champions – Crestview – will take on this year’s poll champion Columbus Grove in the Division IV district semifinals at Elida.

It wasn’t the prettiest game when the two squared off on December 13. Columbus Grove posted a 47-23 victory. That was then, this is now, so we’ll see what happens.

Good thinking

A basketball doubleheader involving Wayne Trace will take place Thursday night. The Raiders will face Lima Central Catholic in the boys Division IV district semifinals at Lima Sr. at 6:15 p.m., then the Lady Raiders will face Kalida in the Division IV regional semifinals in Elida at 8 p.m.

Both Wayne Trace teams were scheduled to play at 8 p.m., but the boys game was wisely flipped so fans can see both games.

Hopefully, the boys game won’t go to overtime.

Fun fact

Out of 64 girls basketball teams set to compete in this week’s regionals, just three are unbeaten – Napoleon (Division II, 24-0), Circleville (Division II, 26-0) and Fort Loramie (Division IV, 24-0).

OSU hoops

It’s nice to see Ohio State back on the winning track.

Hopefully this will carry over to the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

Head scratchers

Opening Day for Major League Baseball is March 26 and here are four games that make no sense: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox; Detroit at Cleveland; Washington at New York Mets and Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee.

March 26 is the earliest opening day is league history. Why in the world would anyone schedule games in cold weather cities?

It shouldn’t be hard to take that into consideration when scheduling games.

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