... I fully understand the WANT to keep Fairland in the #1 position ... I KNOW the talent on HB ... I KNOW the D1 in the Columbus area and what that entails being an opponent - Logan will see Hilliard Bradley here in Logan in February ... the 22 point loss seems to be about on the average point spread per outing between HB & ANY opponent ... I also feel that Fairland in order to NOT become complacent , to KEEP the youngsters grounded - a team such as HB had to be played ... I listened to the game - it WAS a game through one half - the overall talent (D1 talent - college level) was evident in the 3rd & 4th quarters for HB ... even for the best of the best to get better they have to run up against a team that by evaluating the film, teaching from the film will allow that already quality team to get to the next level - Fairland did that ... on the ranking side - I had to drop them a position ... I had other teams who "played up" as well that HAD to be dropped a position as well -Warren/Marietta/Waterford ... it ALL works out in the end - IF Fairland IS the king of the hill - they will get there by season's end ... same goes for Vinton County and the other 70 teams Below the Lancaster-Dixon Line ...bbjunky81 wrote:Let me preface this post by saying - Vinton County is very, VERY good! Not only are they the favorite in the D2 Southeast District, I think they have a legitimate chance to make it to the State Tournament.
With that being said, it's tough for Fairland to drop after the loss to Hilliard Bradley.. Those who haven't traveled that direction any doesn't quite understand just how good that team is. They have two legitimate D1 players in Isaiah Speelman and Braden Norris, and potentially another in freshman Matt Allocco.
This was big time scheduling by Fairland and I give them major props for it. Perhaps the loss by 22 is what makes it look somewhat bad, but trust me, Fairland wouldn't see a team that stacked til the Division 3 State Final (if even there).
... I also get it when people on here say that IF Fairland isn't #1 these rankings aren't worth the napkins they're printed on ... all I can say is that we do the best we can with what we have and what we have "ain't" bad ...
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