Random Thoughts: congrats, MAC, more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

This week’s installment of Random Thoughts includes congralutions, facts and figures about the mighty MAC, and the continued Brendan Sorsby saga.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the Delphos St. John’s Blue Jays, Division VII baseball state champions.

The Blue Jays, who finished third in the MAC behind co-champions St. Henry and Coldwater, ended the season with nine straight wins, including a 5-3 victory over No. 1 Tiffin Calvert in the state semifinals and a six inning, 10-0 win over Leispic in the championship game. The last team to beat Delphos St. John’s – Lincolnview, 14-4, back on May 16.

Other state baseball notes

St. Henry made it to state semifinals but the No. 3 ranked Redskins fell to No. 2 Berlin Hiland 7-2.

The Van Wert Cougars can say they lost to the eventual state champions. The Cougars lost to Perkins 3-0 in the Division IV regional semifinals on June 2. The Pirates made it to the state tournament and defeated Bishop Fenwick 5-1 on Sunday.

MAC titles during the 2025-2026 school year

MAC teams won a total of five state championships during the 2025-2026 school year and St. Henry won three of them (Division VII football, Division II bowling, Division VI girls basketball). The other state titles were won by Delphos St. John’s (Division VII boys basketball and baseball).

It was quite a year for both schools. St. Henry also finished as Division VI state volleyball runners-up and made it to the state semifinals in baseball. Meanwhile, Delphos St. John’s mulled an offer to leave the MAC for the Northwest Conference, but ultimately decided against switching conference affilation.

By the way – the baseball state title should give the MAC 157 state championships in all sports.

New York Knicks

Like them or not, let’s recognize the New York Knicks and their historic playoff run and NBA title.

Time and time again, the Knicks rallied from big deficits, including a 29-point hole against San Antonio in Game No. 4 of the NBA Finals and became somewhat improbable NBA champions. Truly, no lead was safe, as the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Spurs found out.

It was a title that was earned the hard way.

Texas Tech

My head is still spinning from the whole Brendan Sorsby/Texas Tech/gambling/judge’s injuction matter.

Since a Texas judge issued an injunction that would allow Sorsby, a former Indiana and Cincinnati quarterback, to play during the upcoming college football season despite violating the NCAA’s rules about gambling.

Texas Tech is trying to smooth some ruffled feathers but every time a university official speaks, it somehow makes it worse. Sadly, this thing isn’t going to blow over anytime soon. Whenever Sorsby declares for the NFL draft (he still has until Sunday to declare for the supplemental draft and there was word Monday night that was the plan), you can be sure the NFL is going to come down heavy with some sort of suspension, even though the violations occurred previously.

Now, the NCAA is asking an appeals court for an expedited ruling, and the Big 12 is suing Texas Tech to allow the conference to punish Sorsby.

I do hope the young man continues with his treatment and can distance himself from gambling, but what a mess this has become. 

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