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Challenging non-league games often prove to be a winning formula
It pays to schedule up.
Dunbar (Division II), Alter (D-II) and Jefferson (D-IV) — all owning multiple boys high school state basketball championships — continue to reap postseason rewards following tough regular-season schedules.
And then there’s Wayne (D-I). If the Warriors are ever to contend for a state title, this is their shot. But unlike those others, they must overcome a schedule.
We’re reminded of how important regular-season matchups are by Saturday’s game at Dunbar with visiting Akron Buchtel (4 p.m.). The Wolverines are No. 1 in the state, Buchtel No. 2.
That’s one of seven “quality” games for Dunbar, that being defined as a potential loss to an equal or better non-league foe. Dunbar has lost only to Ann Arbor Huron and nationally ranked Chicago Simeon. There also were games with defending state champ Jefferson and Canton McKinley.
Who knew that this would be a relative down year for Trotwood-Madison, compared to other great Rams seasons?
Alter has seven such games, mostly against GCL South powers, including unbeaten Moeller, the state’s top-ranked D-I club.
Independent Jefferson plays just five teams in its (smallest) division. The Broncos also play five D-I’s and a private boarding school, national power Kiski, Pa.
Wayne, locked into a 15-game GWOC schedule, has just three quality games, including Trotwood. And there was no way the Warriors knew unbeaten Lakota East, 10-12 last season and the only team to beat Wayne, would be this good.
History tells us that the most brutal schedules often produce the best postseason results.
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