Norfolk Daily News Sports Blog

I’ve often heard the argument that the current NSAA point system for basketball isn’t fair because it rewards teams for playing down a class.

What the people making that argument say is that teams should be given bonus points for playing up a class – say a Class C1 school playing a Class B team and be penalized for playing down a class – say a Class C2 school playing a Class D1 team.

Currently, bonus points are given for playing up a class, but teams aren’t penalized for playing down.

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I’ve never given much attention. After all, I thought, if teams win all the games on their schedule they should be rewarded. The players can’t control who’s on their schedule.

But something’s changed that – at least somewhat.

Taking a look at the power-point ratings in Class C2, Creighton is currently sixth. At first glance, they look to be in good shape for a wild card.

That is, until you notice that the Bulldogs are the No. 3 team in their district – behind Hartington Cedar Catholic and Burwell.

What’s more, both Axtell (No. 2) and Ravenna (No. 3) are in the C2-5 district.

So let me set a scenario.

Let’s say that Hartington CC wins the C2-4 district and Ravenna wins the C2-5 district.

Assuming the wild-card standings stay the same (which they won’t), the two wild cards go to Axtell and Burwell. Now this is where I have a problem.

Take a peak at Burwell’s schedule. What’s missing?

That’s right – Class C opponents.

Sure, the Longhorns are off to a good-looking 18-0 start. But only three of their opponents are Class C schools – Class C2’s West Holt and Elgin/Elgin Pope John and Class C1’s Ord. Of those schools, Elgin/Pope John is the only one at or above .500. For the record, the Wolfpack is 8-8.

Now, take a peak at Axtell’s schedule.

The Wildcats, who are 16-1 on the year, have only played five Class C schools. Axtell, though, has beaten a pair of C schools with winning records – C1’s Kearney Catholic and C2’s Alma – and nearly beat Class C1 state-rated Minden.

Axtell will also get bonus points (at least in my mind) for Saturday’s Heartland Classic game with D2’s top-rated team, Ewing.

Still, the resume isn’t exactly what’d you expect from a potential wild card.

Now it’s time to look at Creighton’s schedule. Remember, the Bulldogs – if things hold where they’re at – are the first team out.

Creighton has played eight Class C teams with two more to come. Of those Class C teams, they’ve defeated (and lost to) 14-3 Crofton and suffered a nine-point loss to Cedar Catholic (14-2). They’ve beaten an 11-5 Laurel-Concord squad and will face 12-6 Ponca in the regular-season finale.

Still, if the Bulldogs don’t win their district, they’ll probably be sitting at home the second weekend in March.

Of course, there’s always something to be said for simply winning the games on the schedule.