I probably should wait another game or two before bringing this up, because it will likely sort itself out, but you know me, when I have time on my hands here at work, I get on here and annoy you guys! Speaking of people annoying each other, this whole second place war is all East Rock's fault. If they were not so far ahead of everyone else this year, we might not have this problem.
Anyway, as of the moment, going into tonight's games, here are the four teams and a description of their situation.
WILSON (3 district losses): You might think that would give the Hornets the inside track to finish number two, but the truth is they have the toughest schedule ahead, with one guaranteed loss (at East Rock), one quite possible one (at Stuarts Draft), and one that "could" happen (at Page) for the simple reason that Page already won at Wilson earlier this year. If the Hornets can pull out wins at SD and PC, that would leave them with four losses and that should be enough to nail down the second seed. But a second loss, in addition to the one at East Rock, should be enough to keep them from clinching second all alone.
STUARTS DRAFT (4 district losses): As just mentioned, the Cougars still have a home game with Wilson. If they win that one, they would have a shot to leapfrog the Hornets and claim the second spot for themselves. However, they also end the regular season at Lee, so on that night, the Cougars might need a win to clinch. If they can beat both Wilson AND Lee, they should have second place all to themselves. If they were to lose both of those, they could drop all the way to the fifth spot.
LEE (5 district losses): Some sources say Lee has six district losses but I only count five (two to East Rock, and one each to Wilson, SD, and Riverheads.) Their eventual seeding will depend on their ability to defend their home court, as they still have home games against Riverheads and Stuarts Draft. I don't think they can mathematically get second all alone, but if they win out, they could tie for it and who knows what tie-breakers will be used.
RIVERHEADS (5 district losses): The Gladiators might have the least chance of claiming the second spot, if they have any at all. But if they win out, they should finish no lower than fourth and still get to host an opening round tournament game. They also have their sights set on elevating their point standing so they can hopefully still get the number one seed for the 1-A, Region B playoffs. The key game for RHS is the one at Lee, coming up Tuesday the 29th. A loss in that one might send the Big Red tumbling to the five spot and put them on the road for the first round of the tournament.
Anyway you slice it, it has been a wild year with teams splitting series, especially in cases where they split games by winning on each other's floors (Wilson/Lee, RHS/SD, and possibly Page/Wilson still to come.) Granted the district tournament will be a foregone conclusion due to East Rock's dominance, but hopefully more than one team can advance deep into the regional playoffs.
Anyway, as of the moment, going into tonight's games, here are the four teams and a description of their situation.
WILSON (3 district losses): You might think that would give the Hornets the inside track to finish number two, but the truth is they have the toughest schedule ahead, with one guaranteed loss (at East Rock), one quite possible one (at Stuarts Draft), and one that "could" happen (at Page) for the simple reason that Page already won at Wilson earlier this year. If the Hornets can pull out wins at SD and PC, that would leave them with four losses and that should be enough to nail down the second seed. But a second loss, in addition to the one at East Rock, should be enough to keep them from clinching second all alone.
STUARTS DRAFT (4 district losses): As just mentioned, the Cougars still have a home game with Wilson. If they win that one, they would have a shot to leapfrog the Hornets and claim the second spot for themselves. However, they also end the regular season at Lee, so on that night, the Cougars might need a win to clinch. If they can beat both Wilson AND Lee, they should have second place all to themselves. If they were to lose both of those, they could drop all the way to the fifth spot.
LEE (5 district losses): Some sources say Lee has six district losses but I only count five (two to East Rock, and one each to Wilson, SD, and Riverheads.) Their eventual seeding will depend on their ability to defend their home court, as they still have home games against Riverheads and Stuarts Draft. I don't think they can mathematically get second all alone, but if they win out, they could tie for it and who knows what tie-breakers will be used.
RIVERHEADS (5 district losses): The Gladiators might have the least chance of claiming the second spot, if they have any at all. But if they win out, they should finish no lower than fourth and still get to host an opening round tournament game. They also have their sights set on elevating their point standing so they can hopefully still get the number one seed for the 1-A, Region B playoffs. The key game for RHS is the one at Lee, coming up Tuesday the 29th. A loss in that one might send the Big Red tumbling to the five spot and put them on the road for the first round of the tournament.
Anyway you slice it, it has been a wild year with teams splitting series, especially in cases where they split games by winning on each other's floors (Wilson/Lee, RHS/SD, and possibly Page/Wilson still to come.) Granted the district tournament will be a foregone conclusion due to East Rock's dominance, but hopefully more than one team can advance deep into the regional playoffs.
