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This marks year number
seventeen of Trail Trash as well as our seventh year on-line at
www.davey1.com. There was a time when
printed copies of Trail Trash were much coveted and in high demand.
Copying machines throughout Northwest Ohio were kept busy making copies
of the Swami’s predictions and the tournament brackets. At least we
hoped that somebody out there was making a copy and spreading the word.
Now about the only place that a printed copy can be found is on the
counter (or in the waste basket) at Hal’s Barber Shop in Bowling Green.
Change is the key word for the
2010 tournament. With new enrollment numbers in effect for this season,
there are new tournament sites as well as plenty of movement by teams
across divisions. Looking at the divisional breakdown for Northwest
Ohio and how they fit in statewide has resulted in a greater
representation of Northwest Ohio teams at the regional level in both
Division II and Division IV. This greater regional representation means
more district tournaments for Northwest Ohio. For the 2010 tournament,
there will be three district tournaments in D2 while D4 will return to 6
district tournaments after having five districts for the ’08 and ’09
tournament seasons. The movement also results in a number of five team
sectionals in D1 and D2.
The schedule also takes on a
different look for 2010. Divisions I, II, and III (what’s with all the
Roman numerals; next year we’ll probably be using the metric system)
will be on the Tuesday/Friday schedule while Division IV will be on a
Wednesday/Friday schedule for the sectional semi-final and final games.
The ouija board has been dusted
off and appears to be functioning at a higher level than the Swami. You
know what really burns my rear end? No Ed, it is not a flame about that
high. It is someone who refers to themselves in the third person.
Let’s go to the picks.
DIVISION
I
 D1
has downsized for 2010. Mansfield Madison, Maumee, Toledo Scott, and
Toledo Woodward have all dropped down to D2 with only Toledo Central
Catholic making the leap up to D1. Tournament sites remain unchanged
for 2010.
Undefeated (as of February 21)
Mansfield Senior has gotten the majority of the statewide recognition
for Northwest Ohio D1 teams. Marion Harding and Perrysburg have put
together outstanding seasons and are starting to get a bit of statewide
recognition late in the season. Toledo St. John’s has also managed to
find its way into the statewide AP poll while Toledo Central Catholic is
also having an excellent season.
D1 in Northwest Ohio will again
use a “Super Sectional” format. Sectional winners from Willard and
Liberty-Benton will remain at those sites for district semi-final games
on March 11 with the district final scheduled for Bowling Green’s
Anderson Arena. Winners from the two Toledo sectionals will advance to
the University of Toledo’s Savage Arena where the two Waite sectional
winners will meet in one semi-final with the two Central Catholic
sectional winners meeting in the other semi-final. The two district
champs from Northwest Ohio will meet in a regional semi-final at Savage
Arena with the winner advancing to the regional final at the University
of Akron. The regional final at Akron will also include the winner of
the regional semi-final between the Canton (North Canton Hoover,
Massillon Jackson, Canton McKinley) and Copley (Twinsburg, Barberton)
district champs.
SECTIONALS
WILLARD: Mansfield Senior and
Marion Harding are the top seeds. For those that predicted a drop off
for Mansfield Senior as the Gregg Collins era evolved into the Effie
James era, it has not happened. The Tygers haven’t played the toughest
of schedules (until facing Akron SVSM and Warren Harding in the final
week of the season), but you cannot argue with the results. Mansfield
has won eight consecutive sectional titles. Marion Harding hasn’t had a
winning season since the 70’s. Marion’s only loss to date is Mount
Vernon. Ashland has had a disappointing season, Sandusky has been hurt
by injuries, and Fremont Ross has shown improvement following the
removal of several players from the team.
Semifinal-Ashland over Fremont
Ross
Finals-Mansfield Senior over
Ashland; Marion Harding over Sandusky
LIBERTY-BENTON: Perrysburg and
Bowling Green are the top seeds. A very good sectional at L-B with five
evenly matched teams. Perrysburg and Findlay are two of the
better-coached teams in Northwest Ohio. Perrysburg is undefeated in the
NLL while Findlay is young and has more size than normal.
Junior-dominated Bowling Green might still be a year away. The same
holds true for Springfield. The Blue Devils’ Chester McFadden has
surpassed 1,000 career points as a junior. Lima Senior has been
somewhat of a disappointment. The Spartans still have Anton Hutchins
and have started to play a bit better as the tournament approaches.
Semifinals-Lima Senior over
Springfield; Findlay over Anthony Wayne
Finals-Bowling Green over Lima
Senior; Perrysburg over Findlay
TOLEDO WAITE: Toledo St. John’s
Jesuit and Toledo St. Francis are the top seeds. St. John’s returns two
starters from their 2009 state semi-final team. The Titans also have an
outstanding freshman in 6’7” Marc Loving. St. Francis has 6’11” Storm
Stanley. The Knights appear to be peaking (the Swami kiss of death) as
the tournament approaches. Start has the best player in Toledo in
Anthony Henderson as well as the worst-dressed coaches. A St.Francis/Start
sectional final would be an excellent match up. Southview has advanced
to the district each of the past three seasons, but it will be an uphill
battle for the Cougars following heavy graduation losses.
Semifinal-Start over Southview
Finals-St. John’s Jesuit over
Clay; St. Francis over Start
TOLEDO CENTRAL CATHOLIC: Toledo
Central Catholic and Toledo Whitmer are the top seeds. Central Catholic
is very solid under Jim Welling. Whitmer is young and continues to
improve. The Panthers have an outstanding freshman in Nigel Hayes.
Rogers has exceeded expectations. With Big Earl on the bench and Damond
Powell on the floor, the Rams are entertaining to watch. An experienced
Waite team was expected to contend for the Toledo City League crown, but
has not met expectations. Bowsher is much improved under Joe Guerrero.
The Rebels have one of the better players in the CL in junior Robert
Davis. If Central Catholic meets Waite in the sectional final, where
will they play the game? It won’t be at Central and it won’t be at
Waite.
Semifnals-Rogers over Bowsher;
Waite over Northview
Finals-Rogers over Whitmer;
Central Catholic over Waite
DISTRICTS
Mansfield Senior will play
Marion Harding in a district semi-final at Willard while Perrysburg will
meet Bowling Green in a district semi-final at Liberty-Benton.
Semifinals-Mansfield Senior over
Marion Harding; Perrysburg over Bowling Green
BGSU: Lima Senior won the
district in 2009. Five different winners (Lima Senior, Perrysburg,
Findlay, Mansfield Senior, Ashland) in the past eight seasons at the BG
district.
UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO: St.
John’s won the district in 2009. The Titans have won 12 consecutive
sectional titles heading into 2010, and have won district titles in six
of the past eight seasons.
Semifinals-St. John’s over St.
Francis; Central Catholic over Rogers
Final-St. John’s over Central
Catholic
Top of Page
DIVISION
II
Although D2 has only increased
by four teams, that was enough to result in an additional regional
qualifier. Mansfield Madison, Maumee, Toledo Scott, and Toledo Woodward
have dropped down from D1 while Port Clinton and Edison have moved up
from D3. Toledo Central Catholic has moved up to D1 with Galion
dropping to D3. Oregon Clay and Riverdale have been added as sectional
sites with Ohio Northern a new district site.
Undefeated (as of February 21)
Port Clinton and WBL champ Defiance have been fixtures in the top ten of
the Associated Press statewide poll. Toledo Libbey, expected at the
start of the season to be the dominant D2 team in Northwest Ohio, was
also getting plenty of recognition until a tough non-league schedule and
the Toledo City League caught up with the Cowboys.
The D2 regional tournament will
again be played in Bowling Green’s ancient (although not as ancient as
the Swami) Anderson Arena. District winners from Bowling Green and
Ashland will meet in one semi-final with the district winners from Ohio
Northern and Westlake (Lorain Clearview, Bay Village Bay, Vermilion)
meeting in the other semi-final.
After a one year absence, look
for a D2 team from Northwest Ohio to get to the state tournament. You
can mark it down.
SECTIONALS
OREGON CLAY: Toledo Libbey and
Rossford are the top seeds. Libbey advanced to the district final in
2009 with a young team. Most of that team returns this season. The
Cowboys will be a tough out despite not meeting some lofty expectations
during the regular season. Rossford has been competitive in the NLL
while Eastwood leads the SLL. Eastwood made an interesting move at the
draw in deciding to go to Libbey’s side of the bracket. Once upon a
time when Scott graduated players, they would end up with players from
Libbey or Waite or Start or St. Francis or Woodward as their
replacements. How far have the Bulldogs fallen? Now they get their
transfers from Bryan. Apathy reigns.
Semifinals-Eastwood over
Woodward; Scott over Oak Harbor
Finals-Libbey over Eastwood;
Scott over Rossford
SWANTON: Defiance and Wauseon
are the top seeds. State-ranked Defiance has clinched at least a share
of the WBL title. The Bulldogs last won a WBL crown in 1983. Defiance
has been bolstered by a good sophomore class and is bigger than usual.
Difficult to separate the rest of the teams at Swanton. Wauseon and
Bryan are still in contention for a share of the NWOAL crown (if Bryan
can defeat Archbold on February 26). Napoleon has been surprisingly
competitive after graduating basically their entire 2009 team. The
Wildcats’ best player is freshman Jordan Lauf. Maumee has talent but
not many wins playing a schedule of primarily D1 teams.
Semifinal-Maumee over Bryan
Finals-Napoleon over Wauseon;
Defiance over Maumee
SANDUSKY: Port Clinton and
Bellevue are the top seeds. Very good sectional with all six teams over
.500 going into the final week of the season. Port Clinton has never
had an undefeated regular season. The Redskins have defeated each of
the teams in the sectional. Bellevue is battling Shelby and Tiffin
Columbian for the NOL crown. The Redmen are one of the better three
point shooting teams in Northwest Ohio. Clyde is solid and physical as
usual. Norwalk got off to a quick start but has faded in the second
half of the season. Both Perkins and Edison have the talent to upset
PC. Perkins starts two sophomores and a freshman.
Semifinals-Perkins over Edison;
Clyde over Norwalk
Finals-Port Clinton over
Perkins; Bellevue over Clyde
MANSFIELD SENIOR: Lexington and
Mansfield Madison are the top seeds. This is a tough sectional to
call. Lexington has encountered a couple of hiccups down the stretch.
Michigan football recruit Courtney Avery is the top player for Lex.
Madison was the district runner-up in D1 in 2009, but returned only one
starter for 2010. Shelby has been consistently inconsistent, but has
shown improvement late in the season. Willard has played much better
the second half of the season once point guard Sal Sanchez regained his
eligibility. Lexington better not sleep on the Flashes. Clear Fork has
been competitive in most of their games, but has had a tough time
getting wins after a 4-1 start.
Semifinal-Shelby over Clear Fork
Finals-Shelby over Madison;
Lexington over Clear Fork
LIMA SENIOR: Elida and Celina
are the top seeds. Still an all WBL sectional but just not as many of
them. Elida has struggled outside the WBL this season. The Bulldogs’
Reggie McAdams is one of the top sophomores in Northwest Ohio. Celina
has been a surprise this season after experiencing heavy graduation
losses. Van Wert has been solid as well. The Cougars are undefeated
outside the WBL. Lima Shawnee was expected to be a WBL title
contender. That has not been the case as injuries have ruined the
season for the Indians. Both St. Marys and Wapakoneta are improved. St.
Marys coach Dan Hegemier led New Knoxville to the 2008 D4 state
championship.
Semifinals-Van Wert over St.
Marys; Shawnee over Wapakoneta
Finals-Van Wert over Elida;
Celina over Shawnee
RIVERDALE: Tiffin Columbian and
Lima Bath are the top seeds. Columbian has a solid one-two punch in
Derek Kneeskern and Cole Williams. Consistency has been a problem for
the Tornadoes. Lima Bath got off to their best start in years at 10-3
before hitting a slump as well as a very tough schedule. Fostoria could
pull an upset. The Redmen have also been inconsistent. For Kenton,
life without Garrick Sherman hasn’t been great. At least the Wildcats
don’t have to travel to Mansfield for the sectional. What can you say
about Upper Sandusky and their 1-17 stretch. The 2005 state champs and
2007 runner-up in D2 have abandoned their frenetic (not sure what it
means but it sounds good) pace.
Semifinal-Fostoria over Upper
Sandusky
Finals-Lima Bath over Fostoria;
Tiffin Columbian over Kenton
DISTRICTS
BGSU: Just won’t be the same at
BG without the WBL invasion (except Defiance). Other than Libbey’s win
in 2008, WBL teams have won the BG district every year since 1995.
Semifinals-Libbey over Napoleon;
Defiance over Scott
Final-Libbey over Defiance
ASHLAND UNIVERSITY: Galion was
the surprise winner of the district in 2009. It ain’t what it used to
be at Ashland according to the Willard folks on their way to their MENSA
meeting.
Semifinals-Shelby over Port
Clinton; Lexington over Bellevue
Final-Lexington over Shelby
OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY: The
new kid on the block. Less travel for the WBL folks, but how do you top
the atmosphere of Anderson Arena? ONU is one of the Swami’s least
favorite places to watch a game. The WBL remains a very good league but
is not as strong as in prior years.
Semifinals-Van Wert over Lima
Bath; Celina over Tiffin Columbian
Final-Van Wert over Celina
Top of Page
DIVISION III
There has been a great deal of
movement in D3 for the 2010 tournament. Galion has dropped down from D2
while Patrick Henry, Delphos Jefferson, Riverdale, and Plymouth have
moved up from D4. Edison and Port Clinton are now in D2 while several
teams (Marion Local, Mohawk, Montpelier, New London, Ottawa Hills, South
Central, Spencerville, Wynford) have dropped down to D4. Despite a
decrease in the number of D3 teams, the number of sectional and district
tournaments remains the same. The only change in venue has Lexington
replacing Galion as a sectional site.
OSU recruit Aaron Craft and
undefeated (as of February 21) Liberty-Benton have been the biggest
story in D3 this season. The Eagles have been at the top of the AP
statewide poll ever since the first release back in January. Another
undefeated team, Plymouth, has been near the top of the poll all
season. Coldwater has been a fixture in the top ten throughout the
season while Ottawa-Glandorf, Evergreen, and St. Henry have also
received state recognition.
The D3 regional will again be
played at BGSU. The Napoleon and Mansfield district champions will meet
in one semi-final with the Elida district champ taking on one of the
Columbus district winners (Cardington-Lincoln, Centerburg,
Bloom-Carroll) in the other semi-final. There is an excellent chance
that a Northwest Ohio team will make it to the state tournament in D3.
SECTIONALS
DEFIANCE: Archbold and Tinora
are the top seeds. Archbold with a win over Bryan will win the NWOAL
outright. Otherwise, the NWOAL ends in a five-way tie. The Blue
Streaks have nine straight sectional titles. Tinora was the 2009 D3
state runner-up. The Rams began to gel with the return of Treg
Lymanstall from a knee injury. Unfortunately, it appears that
Lymanstall may have reinjured his knee. Tinora’s hopes for a long
tournament run will depend on his health. Paulding, Liberty Center,
Fairview, and Hicksville round out the sectional. Not much to get
excited about in that group.
Semifinals-Liberty Center over
Hicksville; Paulding over Fairview
Finals-Archbold over Liberty
Center; Tinora over Paulding
TOLEDO WHITMER: Evergreen and
Delta are the top seeds. Back in mid-December, Evergreen would have
been the favorite for the district title. Chad Mosssing will end his
career as the second leading scorer in Evergreen boys basketball
history. After a strong start, Delta is limping to the finish. Ditto
for an Otsego team that has been the surprise of the SLL for most of the
season. The Knights start two freshmen. Genoa is the mystery team at
Whitmer. The Comets have some size and good athletes although the whole
isn’t always greater than the sum of the parts. Evergreen cannot be
excited having Genoa on their side of the bracket. Both Swanton and
Lake could pull the upset with Swanton having the better chance.
Semifinals-Genoa over Lake;
Otsego over Swanton
Finals-Genoa over Evergreen;
Delta over Otsego
FINDLAY: Liberty-Benton and
Ottawa-Glandorf are the top seeds. Liberty-Benton has not lost a BVC
game since 2006 (it seems longer than that) when Arlington turned the
trick. The Eagles will be going for their twentieth consecutive
sectional title. This might not be a vintage Ottawa-Glandorf team, but
do not count the Titans. out O-G is extremely deep as usual. Riverdale
has been under the radar all season losing only to Ontario and Buckeye
Central. Unfortunately, the Falcons get to meet up with L-B. Elmwood
has recovered from a slow start to put together a solid season although
the Royals are probably wishing they could join their SLL brethren at
Whitmer or Norwalk. Patrick Henry has shown some signs of life late in
the season but most likely will not be a factor.
Semifinal: Elmwood over Patrick
Henry
Finals-Liberty-Benton over
Riverdale; Ottawa-Glandorf over Elmwood
WAPAKONETA: Coldwater and Lima
Central Catholic are the top seeds. This is another quality
sectional. Coldwater returns an experienced team from their 2009 run to
the regional final. The Cavaliers have hit some bumps in the road late
in the season. Winners of eleven in a row, LCC is on a roll heading
towards the tournament. T-Bird coach Bob Seggerson got career win #500
in January against Delphos St. John’s. Congrats Coach Seg. Despite
being in the lower half of the MAC, St. Henry is another solid team and
will be a real test for LCC. Delphos Jefferson and Parkway are also
solid. Only Bluffton appears to be out of the picture at Wapak.
Semifinals-St. Henry over
Bluffton; Delphos Jefferson over Parkway
Finals-Lima Central Catholic
over St. Henry; Coldwater over Delphos Jefferson
LEXINGTON: Plymouth and Ontario
are the top seeds. Plymouth has dominated the Firelands Conference.
The Big Red have not been pushed all season although their schedule is
questionable. Plymouth’s Brooks Turson is the four-time FC player of
the year. Outside of Plymouth, this is a tough sectional to call.
Ontario has clinched no worse than a tie for the NCC title although the
Warriors have run into some problems outside the league. Galion won the
D2 district title in 2009. The Tigers have a win over Ontario, but
cannot overlook neighboring Colonel Crawford. Ashland Crestview and
Bucyrus appear to be evenly matched.
Semifinals-Bucyrus over Ashland
Crestview; Galion over Colonel Crawford
Finals-Plymouth over Bucyrus;
Ontario over Galion
NORWALK: Western Reserve and
Lakota are the top seeds. The weakest D3 sectional on paper, this is
another one that is difficult to call. There is not a big difference
among these six teams. Western Reserve appears to be the best of the
bunch although the Riders have been unable to keep pace with Plymouth in
the Firelands. Lakota is enjoying a successful season in their first
year in the MAL. Huron is much improved and will finish over .500 for
the first time since 2006. Margaretta and Gibsonburg have both exceeded
modest expectations. Woodmore can also be a factor at Norwalk despite
their record. It would not be out of the question for the Wildcats to
reach the district.
Semifinals-Huron over Woodmore;
Margaretta over Gibsonburg
Finals-Huron over Lakota;
Western Reserve over Margaretta
DISTRICTS
NAPOLEON: Tinora won the
district in 2009 and Archbold won it in 2008. Injuries to key personnel
from Tinora and Delta could be a major facto
Semifinals-Archbold over Genoa;
Tinora over Delta
Final-Archbold over Tinora
ELIDA: Coldwater was the
surprise winner in 2009 eliminating both Liberty-Benton and Ottawa-Glandorf.
The winner of this district becomes the favorite in the BGSU regional.
Semifinals-Lima Central Catholic
over Liberty-Benton; Ottawa-Glandorf over Coldwater
Final-Lima Central Catholic over
Ottawa-Glandorf
MANSFIELD SENIOR: Colonel
Crawford won the district in 2009. Plymouth has won back-to-back
district titles in D4. Can the Big Red make the leap?
Semifinals-Plymouth over Huron;
Ontario over Western Reserve
Finals-Plymouth over Ontario
Top of Page
DIVISION
IV
This is getting a bit redundant
but there are numerous changes in D4 as well. Moving down from D3 are
Marion Local, Mohawk, Montpelier, New London, Ottawa Hills, South
Central, Spencerville, and Wynford while Delphos Jefferson, Patrick
Henry, Plymouth, and Riverdale are no longer D4 schools. This net
increase of four teams has resulted in two new sectionals and one new
district being added for 2010. New sectional sites will be at
Hicksville and Bucyrus. Galion will replace Lexington, Lake will
replace Bowling Green, and Kenton will replace Lima Bath as sectional
sites. The additional district tournament will be played at
Gibsonburg. As mentioned earlier, the D4 teams will play their
sectional semifinal games on Wednesday, March 3 with the finals
scheduled for Friday, March 5.
It has been a banner year in the
Putnam County League. The initial statewide Associated Press poll
included five PCL teams (Continental, Kalida, Pandora-Gilboa, Miller
City, Columbus Grove). Fort Recovery, McComb, and Ottawa Hills have
received statewide recognition as well. Other teams having outstanding
seasons are Delphos St. John’s, Antwerp, and New Riegel.
The Liberty-Benton district
winner will meet the Gibsonburg district winner in one regional
semi-final at Anderson Arena with the Napoleon district winner playing
the Elida district winner in the other regional semi-final at BG. The
Wapkoneta district winner will head south to meet one of the Dayton
district winners (Lockland, South Charleston Southeastern) in the
Kettering Fairmont regional while the Willard district winner will
travel to the Barn to meet one of the Columbus district winners (Newark
Catholic) in the Columbus
regional.
SECTIONALS
COLDWATER: Fort Recovery and New
Bremen are the top seeds. Five of the MAC schools head to Coldwater for
the sectional. When the MAC teams get together in the tournament, no
game can be considered an upset. Fort Recovery’s only losses to date
are to Coldwater and Delphos St. John’s. Greg Kahlig is the all-time
leading scorer for Fort Recovery. New Bremen and Marion Local are both
in the upper half of the MAC. New Knoxville’s sixty-five game regular
season winning streak was snapped by Anna in December. Minster will be
a factor even though the Wildcats are near the bottom of the MAC. Only
Waynesfield-Goshen does not figure to be in the mix at Coldwater.
Semifinals-New Knoxville over
Waynesfield-Goshen; Marion Local over Minster
Finals-Fort Recovery over New
Knoxville; Marion Local over New Bremen
VAN WERT: Delphos St. John’s and
Ottoville are the top seeds. In a bit of a surprise, Delphos St. John’s
leads the MAC with two games left. The Blue Jays are doing it with
defense. Ottoville got off to a good start but the Big Green is zero
for February. Fort Jennings also got off to a good start but has had
difficulties of late. The PCL has been tough on both Ottoville and
Jennings. Convoy Crestview has been playing well late in the season.
Spencerville and Lincolnview round it out at Van Wert. The winners at
Van Wert will advance to Wapak for the district after heading to Elida
for a number of years.
Semifinals-Convoy Crestview over
Spencerville; Fort Jennings over Lincolnview
Finals-Convoy Crestview over
Ottoville; Delphos St. John’s over Fort Jennings
KENTON: Arlington and Ada are
the top seeds. Arlington will finish in a three-way tie for fourth place
in the BVC but gets the top seed at Kenton. The Red Devils are the only
team in the sectional with a winning record. It looked to be a
promising season for Ada with two starters including their leading
scorer as well as their sixth man returning from last year’s state
qualifier. Leading scorer Mitchell Faine tore up a knee in football.
He attempted to return in late January but injured the knee again while
the sixth man opted to focus on football. Allen East, Upper Scioto
Valley, Hardin Northern, and Ridgemont round out the sectional.
Semifinals-Arlington over Hardin
Northern; Upper Scioto Valley over Ridgemont
Finals-Arlington over Allen
East; Ada over Upper Scioto Valley
BLUFFTON: Kalida and
Continental are the top seeds. An excellent sectional. Kalida went
undefeated in the PCL despite returning only one starter, Jordan
Basinger, from the 2009 D4 state runner-up. Coach Richard Kortokrax
recently picked up win #800 in his long and storied career.
“As the Korto Turns”, last year’s soap opera about the coaching future
of one Richard Kortokrax no longer appears to be an issue. Continental
got the second seed and decided against the bye. The Pirates’ only
losses are to Kalida and Columbus Grove although Lima Temple Christian
took Continental to overtime. Lima Perry and Temple are on
Continental’s side of the bracket. Assuming Columbus Grove can get past
Cory-Rawson, there is an outstanding sectional final looming between
Kalida and Grove.
Semifinals-Continental over Lima
Perry; Columbus Grove over Cory-Rawson
Finals-Continental over Lima
Temple Christian; Kalida over Columbus Grove
BRYAN: Hilltop and Stryker are
the top seeds. Can somebody help me with this one? I just checked my
W-2 from Davey1, and there is no way that the Swami makes enough to
figure this one out. Five of the teams at Bryan are from the BBC. With
each BBC team having one game remaining on their league schedule, there
is a four-way tie for first place. Hilltop, one of two BBC teams that
cannot win the league title, is the top seed at Bryan. The five BBC
teams are joined by Montpelier for the sectional. Here are the results
of the coin flip.
Semifinals-North Central over
Fayette; Pettisville over Montpelier
Finals-Hilltop over North
Central; Pettisville over Stryker
HICKSVILLE: Antwerp and Wayne
Trace are the top seeds. Four GMC teams join a lone BBC team at this
new site. Antwerp went undefeated to win the GMC title. The Archers
only losses on the season were to Fort Jennings and Continental back in
December. Antwerp has an excellent player in T.J. Short. Both Wayne
Trace and Edgerton are much improved from last seaason. Ayersville and
Edon are currently playing well after getting off to slow starts. This
is the lone five team sectional in D4.
Semifinal-Ayersville over Edon
Finals-Ayersville over Wayne
Trace; Antwerp over Edgerton
OTTAWA-GLANDORF: McComb and
Pandora-Gilboa are the top seeds. This is another top notch sectional.
McComb returns three starters from last year’s district championship
team. Only losses for the Panthers to date are to Leipsic and
Liberty-Benton. Despite some key injuries, Pandora-Gilboa has put
together an excellent season. Big man Tyler Gratz missed several games
with a stress fracture and is rounding into shape. The status of Josh
Lee is a key factor in any tournament run for the Rockets. Miller City
and North Baltimore are having outstanding seasons as well. Leipsic
also figures in the mix at O-G. Holgate is having a difficult season
averaging around twenty-eight points per game, but the Tigers have a ton
of tournament tradition.
Semifinals-Miller City over
North Baltimore; Leipsic over Holgate
Finals-Miller City over McComb;
Pandora-Gilboa over Leipsic
FOSTORIA: Vanlue and New Riegel
are the top seeds. Vanlue will finish the season in a three-way tie for
fourth place in the BVC. The Wildcats got the top seed based on their
win over New Riegel. NR won the MAL title going undefeated in the
league. The only other loss for the Blue Jackets was to Van Buren. The
Black Knights have eliminated New Riegel at the district the past two
seasons. VB is now in the Fostoria sectional after a number of years in
the Bowling Green and Ottawa-Glandorf sectionals. Arcadia, Fostoria St.
Wendelin, and Hopewell-Loudon are all having tough seasons.
Semifinals-Van Buren over
Hopewell-Loudon; Arcadia over Fostoria St. Wendelin
Finals-Van Buren over New Riegel;
Vanlue over Arcadia
PORT CLINTON: Danbury and
Fremont St. Joseph are the top seeds. No outstanding teams at PC this
time around. Danbury is having a solid season. The Lakers’ Rodney
Johnson is the leading scorer in the TAAC. Fremont St. Joseph is
having success under first year coach Jon Will. Norwalk St. Paul got a
late start after winning the D6 state football title. The Fliers have
good athletes but have been inconsistent. Monroeville should also
contend for a sectional title. Sandusky St. Mary is usually one of the
top teams at PC, but the Panthers do not figure to be in the hunt this
year. Old Fort rounds out the sectional.
Semifinals-Norwalk St. Paul over
Old Fort; Monroeville over Sandusky St. Mary
Finals-Norwalk St. Paul over
Fremont St. Joseph; Danbury over Monroeville
LAKE: Ottawa Hills and Toledo
Christian are the top seeds. Ottawa Hills was the D3 district runner-up
to Tinora last year at Napoleon. The Green Bears lost big Phillip Beans
to graduation but have hardly missed a beat. Led by four-year starter
Eliot Browarsky, Ottawa Hills’ lone loss is to New Riegel in double
overtime. Toledo Christian experienced heavy graduation losses from
their regional runner-up team. The Eagles appear to be a year away from
making another run. TC has won sectional titles the past seven
seasons. Maumee Valley Country Day is much improved under the veteran
Jim Robinson. Bettsville will also be a contender while Northwood and
Cardinal Stritch round out the sectional.
Semifinals-Maumee Valley Country
Day over Bettsville; Northwood over Cardinal Stritch
Finals-Maumee Valley Country Day
over Toledo Christian; Ottawa Hills over Northwood
GALION: New London and
Mansfield Christian are the top seeds. Despite some injuries, New
London is having a solid season in the Firelands Conference. The
Wildcats are young. Mansfield Christian has a chance to finish the
season over .500. Lucas has no junior varsity or freshman team this
season. The Cubs’ head coach was relieved of his coaching duties in
January with two assistant coaches resigning shortly thereafter. Lucas
has three wins since interim coach Andrew Molyet took over. South
Central, Mansfield St. Peter’s, and Crestline round out the sectional.
Semifinals-South Central over
Crestline; Lucas over Mansfield St. Peter’s
Final-New London over South
Central; Lucas over Mansfield Christian
BUCYRUS: Carey and Wynford are
the top seeds. This should be a very competitive sectional. Carey is
currently tied with North Baltimore for second place in the MAL. MSU
football recruit Michael Dennis became Carey’s all-time leading scorer
for boys basketball earlier this season. Wynford has won sectional
titles each of the past fourteen seasons. Tiffin Calvert, Seneca East,
and Buckeye Central figure to contend for sectional titles as well.
Mohawk rounds things out at Bucyrus.
Semifinals-Seneca East over
Mohawk; Buckeye Central over Tiffin Calvert
Finals-Wynford over Seneca East;
Carey over Buckeye Central
DISTRICTS
WAPAKONETA: Ada won this
district in 2009 as well as a regional title.
Semifinals-Fort Recovery over
Convoy Crestview; Delphos St. John’s over Marion Local
Final-Fort Recovery over Delphos
St. John’s
ELIDA: Kalida won the district
in 2009 as well as a regional title.
Semifinals-Continental over
Arlington; Kalida over Ada
Final-Continental over Kalida
NAPOLEON:
Semifinals-Ayersville over
Hilltop; Antwerp over Pettisville
Final-Antwerp over Ayersville
LIBERTY-BENTON: Toledo Christian
won the district title in 2009 after four straight runner-up finishes.
Semifinals-Miller City over New
Riegel; Pandora-Gilboa over Vanlue
Final-Pandora-Gilboa over Miller
City
GIBSONBURG: The new district in
D4.
Semifinals-Norwalk St. Paul over
Maumee Valley Country Day; Ottawa Hills over Danbury
Final-Ottawa Hills over Norwalk
St. Paul
WILLARD: Plymouth won the
district in 2008 and 2009.
Semifinals-Wynford over New
London; Carey over Lucas
Final-Wynford over Carey
That is it for now. We will
return with a much shorter regional and state tournament edition prior
to the regional tournament. All facts, fiction, and opinions are those
of the Swami. Brackets are courtesy of Mr. Davey1.com himself, Dave
Spengler. Stop by and visit us along the tournament trail. Rock on.
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