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Monday Mailbag: March 2, 2020

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Monday Mailbag includes questions about changing conferences, Paulding and the Green Meadows Conference, Northwest Conference expansion and a high school basketball shot clock.

Q: Could you explain what all goes into a school’s decision to change conferences — and a conference’s decision to invite a particular school? Or, if you care to, why Paulding would want to switch from the Northwest Conference to the Green Meadows Conference — or what the Northwest Conference is likely to do, if anything, with the “vacancy”? Name withheld upon request

A: It depends on the situation, but in Paulding’s case, I think the Green Meadows Conference is very attractive for several reasons, including much shorter travel times. Instead of hour long trips to Ada, Allen East, Bluffton and Spencerville, Panther sports teams will go a half hour or less to play conference opponents. The longest GMC drive for Paulding will be Edgerton, about 40 minutes away.

Related to that, it’s also a chance to establish new rivalries or re-establish old ones, which in turn could lead to increased crowds and more revenue.

It’s also a chance to be competitive in more sports on a more consistent basis, i.e. a chance to enjoy more success in terms of wins and losses. It won’t be easy because the GMC has some fine athletic programs, but the opportunity is there.

As far as the GMC extending the invitation to Paulding, I think geography and the fact that it seems Paulding is a “good fit” are the two main reasons.

In statement issued on Friday, Northwest Conference Commissioner Jim Raabe indicated the NWC will discuss a possible replacement. Time will tell what happens.

Q: What’s going to happen when Paulding starts dominating the GMC in all sports. They’ll be the biggest school in the conference, so it’s bound to happen. Will they be kicked out? Name withheld upon request

A: It is worth noting that the GMC is replacing the smallest school (Holgate) with Paulding, which currently has the highest enrollment among other conference schools, but I think it’s premature to say Paulding will dominate all GMC sports. Biggest doesn’t necessarily mean best, and the GMC has some teams with great traditions.

Something tells me this will be a good fit all around.

Q: What are the chances the NWC expands to 12 teams, with two divisions of six? Name withheld upon request

A: Could it happen? Sure, if the NWC can find four schools to fit in. Who would those schools be?

Q: I’m not convinced Parkway is leaving the MAC for the NWC. What about Perry coming aboard instead? Name withheld upon request

A: It’s very early in the process. The NWC didn’t receive official word from Paulding until Friday that the school is leaving the conference, so it’s now up to NWC officials to meet and discuss the future.

Commissioner Jim Raabe indicated in a press release that conference principals will do just that.

“It is anticipated that these discussions could involve the possibility of league expansion with the idea of finding a school or schools that would be a good fit with the conference,” Raabe wrote.

Parkway leaving the MAC for the NWC is speculation and water cooler talk, at least for now. Like you, I’m not completely convinced it will happen. Who knows, the NWC may not offer an invitation or if they do, it may not be accepted.

Perry may be an option, but again, it’s so early in this process. I know Perry left the NWC in 2004 and is now part of the Northwest Central Conference, a conference that isn’t exactly stable right now. I would think that there could be some mutual interest.

Who knows, the NWC could become a seven team league for football and eight teams for remaining sports. It’s not ideal for football, but it’s a possibility.

Q: My question is why don’t high school basketball programs across the board have a shot clock? Guys playing at the next level will see one. Last night (Friday) a game had a final score of 24-12. Jason Ruder, Defiance

A: Let’s start by looking at the 24-12 game. It was No. 9 seed Russia against No. 1 seed Jackson Center. Russia had nothing to lose, so why not give it a try? It’s was strategy, plain and simple. No, it didn’t work, but again, what did they have to lose?

Why should a big underdog, a team that had struggled all season, be forced to put the ball up to beat a shot clock? How does that benefit anyone?

I saw some of the game video. It goes both ways here – why didn’t Jackson Center come out of their zone and defend – force Russia to move the ball?

It’s my opinion that this is a classic overreaction. More than 17,000 boys high school basketball games have been played in Ohio this season and one 24-12 score has shot clock supporters clamoring to change the rules.

By the way, only about three percent of high school basketball players go on to play at the collegiate level in any division. That means 97 percent won’t play at the next level. A small percentage might play in college intramural programs, city leagues, etc., where shot clocks aren’t in use.

If you have a question or comment for the next Monday Mailbag, simply email it to sports@thevwindependent.com.

POSTED: 03/02/20 at 4:51 am. FILED UNDER: Sports