Random Thoughts: limbo, hoops & more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Random Thoughts include a big thank you, being in limbo, spring sports, next year, hoops withdrawal, marble racing and upcoming features.

Thank you

This part has nothing to do with sports, but a big thank you goes out to doctors, nurses, truck drivers, grocery store employees and anyone else who has to work through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your work is truly appreciated.

In limbo

I must admit, I’m not a fan of the OHSAA winter sports tournament still being in limbo.

Let’s face it – the vast majority of us have a very good idea as to where this is headed in terms of resuming and not resuming, and it’s probably not the option we’d like to see.

Sometime very soon, the Ohio High School Athletic Association is going to have to make a decision, if for no other reason, closure. At least to me, it seems like waiting around to hear is the worst part of this.

Spring sports

Along with the winter sports tournament, a decision will have to be made soon on spring sports.

If school resumes on April 6, there’s a plan already in place, which is good. But what if there’s even another week or two delay, that’s going to push spring sports back even further and perhaps to the point where a decision will need to be made if they’ll be played at all.

Like I said last week, I’m trying to remain optimistic that it won’t come to that, especially since the Van Wert County is poised to field some exciting teams this spring.

Next year

I’m already excited about the 2019-2020 high school basketball season.
It seemed like all of Van Wert County’s teams were largely comprised of juniors and underclassmen, which bodes well for the future.

Yes, some outstanding seniors will be missed, but next season truly has the potential to be a very good one.

Hoops withdrawal

If you’re a basketball junkie, this past weekend was a painful one, with no state basketball or NCAA tournament hoops. It should have been wall-to-wall basketball from Thursday through Sunday, plus NCAA play-in games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Let’s hope we never have to go through this again.

Marble racing

Over the weekend I learned that marble racing is a real thing.

It’s interesting the different things you learn when no other sports are on the tube.

Sports and suggestions

As I mentioned last week, one way or another we’ll have sports coverage at the VW independent. Feature stories and other things of interest will be rolled out soon and will continue through the current situation.

Some great suggestions came in, things readers would like to see, and many of those will be included in our upcoming coverage. If you have something you’d like to see or be covered, feel free to email me at sports@thevwindependent.com.