What the Old Style Playoffs Might Have looked like

I know it is late. High school football season is complete. However, a friend mentioned to me how the playoffs in the Sac-Joaquin Section used to work. That got me wondering how the playoffs might have looked if the old style was still used. In the old style, the league the team was in alone determined which division it played under. Neither enrollment nor continued success played any part. The amount of spots a league had in the playoffs depended on how many leagues were in that division. Since nearly all divisions had 8-team brackets, if there were 4 leagues in the division, then each one had two teams. If it was a three-league division, then two leagues would have 3 teams and the third had two. Leagues rotated for the two teams. For the leagues that had two teams, each team had a first round home game. It is impossible to tell for sure what it would have looked like, because we don't know whose turn it would have been to have only two teams. For this model, I looked at the third place teams in all the respective leagues, and the strongest two got in the playoffs in my model with one exception. That would be in division V. The reasoning behind it is that in the real playoffs, both the MLL and TVL got extra spots, while the GEL did not. Another factor in this model is the MMC, CCC, and SJAA are in lower divisions for enrollment-based sports. In league-based playoffs, they are still in division I. It is the same thing with the TCC. In enrollment-based playoffs, it is in divsion IV, but in league-based, it is in division II. Finally, two matchups happened in real life, though one was in a different Division than in my model. Here is my model for each division. *= host D1 South (4 leagues, 2 bids each) TCAL 1*- St. Mary's MMC 2- Beyer SJAA 1*- Stagg CCC 2- Pitman CCC 1*- Turlock TCAL 2- Tracy MMC 1*- Downey SJAA 2- McNair D1 North (3 leagues, 3 bids for DL and SFL, 2 bids for MEL) SFL 1*- Folsom DL 3- Davis MEL 2*- Vacaville DL 2- Jesuit DL 1*- Elk Grove SFL 2- Oak Ridge MEL 1*- Napa SFL 3- Del Oro Note: In the old style, the North winner would play the South winner for the overall Division I championship. D2 (8 teams, 3 leagues. CVC and SCAC get 3 teams each. ML gets 2 teams) CVC 1*- Antelope SCAC 3- Vanden ML 2*- Burbank SCAC 2- Benicia SCAC 1*- American Canyon CVC 2- Roseville ML 1*- Sacramento CVC 3- Cosumnes Oaks D3 (8 teams, 3 leagues. VOL and TCC get 3 teams each. CAL gets 2 teams). VOL 1*- Oakdale TCC 3- River City CAL 2*- Vista del Lago TCC 2- Yuba City TCC 1*- Inderkum VOL 2- Central Catholic CAL 1*- Christian Brothers VOL 3- Manteca D4 (8 teams, 3 leagues. PVL and SVC get 3 teams each. WAC gets 2) PVL 1*- Lincoln (L) SVC 3- El Dorado WAC 2*- Los Banos SVC 2- Liberty Ranch SVC 1*- Cordova PVL 2- Placer WAC 1*- Central Valley PVL 3- Center D5 (8 teams, 3 leagues. MLL and TVL get 3 teams each, GEL gets 2 teams) MLL 1*- Sonora TVL 3- Modesto Christian GEL 2*- Marysville TVL 2- Ripon GEL 1*- Capital Christian MLL 3- Calaveras TVL 1*- Hilmar MLL 2- Amador D6 (2 leagues, 6 teams. Each league gets 3 teams) SDL 1- Bradshaw Christian Bye SL 2*- Delhi SDL 3- Golden Sierra SL 1- Orestimba Bye SDL 2*- Rio Vista SL 3- Gustine D7 Currently uses the old system CCAA 2 Brookside Christian @ SMAL 1 Woodland Christian SMAL 2 Delta @ CCAA 1 Stone Ridge Christian

Former VOL vs. Current VOL 2016

One thing I would like to see is a former VOL vs. Current VOL challenge in basketball. For this project, I have a model of what it might look like for the major sports and water polo based on rankings. To my knowledge, here is the list of former VOL members. I am not sure about Riverbank, but I put them on the list anyway. List of Former VOL Teams Bear Creek Bruins (Stockton) Buhach Colony Thunder (Atwater) Central Valley Hawks (Ceres) Ceres Bulldogs Downey Knights (Modesto) Livingston Wolves Los Banos Tigers Modesto Panthers Pitman Pride (Turlock) Riverbank Bruins (I think) Sonora Wildcats Tracy Bulldogs West Wolfpack (Tracy) Here would be my list of games. Former VOL vs. Current VOL Football Sonora vs. Oakdale Pitman vs. Central Catholic Tracy vs. Manteca Downey vs. East Union Buhach Colony vs. Sierra Central Valley vs. Lathrop Los Banos vs. Weston Ranch Modesto vs. Kimball Volleyball Pitman vs. Oakdale Tracy vs. Kimball Sonora vs. Central Catholic Buhach Colony vs. Manteca West vs. East Union Los Banos vs. Lathrop Modesto vs. Weston Ranch Bear Creek vs. Sierra Boy’s Water Polo Downey vs. Sonora Livingston vs. Ripon Bear Creek vs. Bret Harte Tracy vs. Oakdale Ceres vs. Calaveras Los Banos vs. Kimball Pitman vs. Central Catholic Girl's Water Polo Downey vs. Oakdale Buhach Colony vs. Kimball Bear Creek vs. Sonora Los Banos vs. Ripon Ceres vs. Bret Harte West vs. Calaveras Modesto vs. Central Catholic Boy’s Basketball West vs. Weston Ranch Pitman vs. Manteca Sonora vs. Sierra Modesto vs. Central Catholic Central Valley vs. East Union Riverbank vs. Lathrop Bear Creek vs. Kimball Downey vs. Oakdale Girl's Basketball Sonora vs. Central Catholic Pitman vs. East Union Livingston vs. Lathrop Bear Creek vs. Oakdale Central Valley vs. Kimball Tracy vs. Weston Ranch Buhach Colony vs. Sierra Downey vs. Manteca Baseball Tracy vs. Manteca Los Banos vs. Oakdale Bear Creek vs. Central Catholic Pitman vs. Sierra Buhach Colony vs. East Union Livingston vs. Weston Ranch Ceres vs. Kimball Central Valley vs. Lathrop Softball Tracy vs. Oakdale Ceres vs. East Union West vs. Sierra Los Banos vs. Manteca Riverbank vs. Central Catholic Bear Creek vs. Kimball Downey vs. Weston Ranch Pitman vs. Lathrop Ideally the basketball thing would be an annual event, and I would have each school participate at least once before I have any repeats. Of course if this event happened in real life, I would make matchups that could sell the most tickets. I would have Sonora vs. Oakdale, Bear Creek vs. Weston Ranch, West vs. Kimball, and Tracy vs. Lathrop.

Strange Realignment Moves That Should Happen

With realignment talks coming in December for the Sac-Joaquin Section, there are going to be a lot of proposals, arguments, rumors, and articles about the subject. Some moves will be simple, like splitting up the Modesto schools in different leagues. There may be some odd proposals, too. There was one suggestion last realignment cycle that would have sent Summerville High School to the Southern League. That means all the Bears teams would have had to travel as far as Gustine. With that in mind, there are five moves I have in mind that may be strange, but I think the section should consider. Riverbank to the Mother Lode League This move would seem strange because of geography. However, geography is only number three on the priority list. The top two are near even enrollments and competitive equity. Riverbank’s enrollment is near 700, which is around the same as many of the other Mother Lode League (MLL) teams. Competitively, a couple of games would be winnable for Riverbank in football, and in basketball, Riverbank vs. Calaveras would be an interesting matchup. Finally, Riverbank schedules a lot of MLL teams in non - league play in many sports. Riverbank shares enough success that though it seems strange, Riverbank to the MLL does make sense. 2) Sheldon to the Tri-City Athletic League There are two reasons why this move would seem strange. First, Sheldon is in Sacramento, so that would be a fourth city in the league. Second, Sheldon is a team in the north half of the section, and the Tri-City Athletic League (TCAL) is a south league. (Note: The Sacramento- San Joaquin County line is generally accepted as the border between North and South.) It is rare that the section would even consider mixing North and South teams in the same league, though it has been done before. Sheldon should be considered for the TCAL for competitive equity. Football is the catalyst for league changes, and Sheldon cannot compete in its current league (Delta League) in football. Sheldon has not had a league win since 2013, and had not been to the playoffs since 2011; and playoff appearances are few and far between for the Huskies. The school would be more competitive in the TCAL. There would be some winnable games for Sheldon, and it might even be able to make the playoffs. Sheldon’s big sport is basketball. With it and St. Mary's in the same league, the TCAL can have a championship - quality matchup in league play twice a year. With these facts, it is my opinion that Sheldon would make an excellent addition to the TCAL. 3) Lee Vining to the Mountain Valley League Can someone tell me why Lee Vining is in the Southern Section? I truly have no idea. The Vikings have to travel three and a half hours to their closest league opponent and over six hours to their farthest one. A move to the Sac-Joaquin Section can help the school save some money, and maybe be able to add a sport or two in the future. Lee Vining is the most isolated School in the state of California, and one of the most isolated Schools in the nation. It is around an hour and a half drive to the closest school. As bad as its situation is, Lee Vining can improve the situation by moving to the Sac-Joaquin Section. Currently there are two schools in Lee Vining league that are further than the furthest school from it in the MVL. I know the teams in the Mountain Valley League will resist the move. A lot of these teams do not have a lot of money for athletics, and they would be asked to make a three-hour trip per sport to add Lee Vining to the league. However, this is a move that needs to get done one way or another. A six-hour bus ride should not have to happen until playoffs. 4) The CCAA and SMAL should become 8-man football leagues The Sac-Joaquin Section is the only multi-league section in California without at least one 8-man football team. There was an 8-man football team in the past. Modesto Christian has won some state championships as an 8-man team. The Sac-Joaquin Section needs to bring 8-man football back. Over the past five years, Woodland Poly and Jim Elliot Christian had to drop football, because they could not field enough players to form a team. With 8-man football, schools do not need a lot of players to get a team. Who knows, maybe more small schools could add football with 8-man teams. 5) Have one league full of private school powerhouses A lot of fans think it is unfair that schools like St. Mary's and Central Catholic have an unfair advantage, because those schools “get to choose which players they want” whereas the public schools in their respective leagues are limited to who is in their zip code. Those fans have called for an all-private school league. There already is one, the Central California Athletic Association (CCAA). However, many of those private schools are not athletic powers. The other problem that is presented us that there are not enough teams on either side of the Sacramento- San Joaquin County line to support a league of powerhouse private schools. There is a solution, however. This is one league that teams in the north and south can be in the same league. From the south, I would take Central Catholic (Modesto), Modesto Christian, Ripon Christian, St. Mary's (Stockton), and maybe Brookside Christian (Stockton). Capital Christian (Sacramento), Christian Brothers (Sacramento), Jesuit (Carmichael), and Sacramento would represent the north. Since Sacramento is a charter school, and charter schools have more options of where they can get students, they would be grouped as “private” schools. Each one of those schools has at least one sport in that it is really strong. In addition, each school is a powerhouse in basketball; this league would jump to the best in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and possible top-five in Northern California. The Central Coast Section has an all-private school league, and it is one of the best in the state. This league can match its power if it is created.

My realignment predictions

Every four years, the Sac-Joaquin Section realigns its teams based on enrollments, competitive equity, and geography. I started thinking on what the realignment in the 209 might look like. The first meeting to determine it will be in December. I wanted to complete this project before I saw the opinions of the Modesto Bee and other newspapers, but I was not able to complete it. In one way, that was good, because they convinced me of one change that might happen. The first thing the section will probably do is to decide if they want to expand or contract any leagues. In the last realignment the Delta River and Delta Valley Leagues in the Sacramento area contracted into one league. I don't think there will be any move like that this time around, but one sports writer disagrees with me. We will see. For this blog, I will make realignment predictions for most of the leagues, except for the Mountain Valley League, because I do not think there will be any changes to that league. For each league, I will give the current alignment, my predicted future alignment, and a possible “curve ball”. After seeing what the section proposed last year, the committee made some suggestions that did not make sense to a lot of people (Lathrop and Weston Ranch in the WAC?) Note: For the “curve balls”, I am not giving consideration on how it might affect other leagues. Current Division I Leagues Central California Conference (CCC) Current: Atwater, Buhach Colony, El Capitan, Golden Valley, Merced, Pitman, Turlock My prediction: Atwater, Buhach Colony, El Capitan, Golden Valley, Merced, Patterson Possible curve ball: League stays the same as it is now. Notes: I originally had the league staying the same until I read what The Modesto Bee had to say on the subject, and what they said about Pitman and Turlock leaving (I’ll get to that later) makes more sense than what I had. Due to that, I needed to put a sixth team in the league, because it is unlikely that the section will have a large-school league with fewer than six teams. I picked Patterson in my model, because it is the largest school by enrollment that could be moved. If my prediction is correct, then the CCC will likely drop to division II, which means that Oakdale could see some of these schools in the playoffs in football. Modesto Metro Conference (MMC) Current: Beyer, Davis, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Johansen, Modesto, Modesto Christian (basketball only) My prediction: Beyer, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Modesto, Pitman, Turlock, Modesto Christian (basketball only) Possible Curveball: Beyer, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Modesto, Modesto Christian (basketball only), and either Central Catholic, Oakdale, Patterson, or two out of the three. Notes: The Modesto Bee convinced me that Pitman and Turlock will be joining this league. It will probably be the league of the largest schools in the Modesto-area. We did have one difference. They have Beyer leaving, along with Davis and Johansen. I think Beyer stays. If the enrollment drops as low as I have been hearing, then I think Beyer will go to the Valley Oak League. For now, I have Beyer staying put. The alignment I put as the “curveball” is the one I originally had before I read other articles on the subject. San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) Current: Bear Creek, Chavez, Edison, Franklin, McNair, Stagg My prediction: No changes Possible curveball: Chavez, Edison, Franklin, Lincoln, St. Mary's, Stagg Notes There is not a lot to change here, unless the section is going to make changes for the sake of changes, which is unlikely. One other possible change I can see is having Lincoln join the SJAA and Stagg leaving for the TCAL. However, I think it's likely we will see no change. Tri-City Athletic League (TCAL) Current: Lincoln, Lodi, St. Mary's, Tokay, Tracy, West My Prediction: Kimball, Lincoln, Lodi, St. Mary's, Tokay, Tracy, West Possible Curveball: Bear Creek, Kimball, Lodi, McNair, Tokay, Tracy, West Notes Again, there is not a lot of change here. The one exception is that Kimball will probably be large enough to join the other Tracy schools. I put Bear Creek and McNair as part of the curve ball, because though they are Stockton schools, they are in the Lodi School District. Perhaps all the high schools in the district could be in the same league. I will throw a giant curveball here. Perhaps Sheldon of Sacramento might join the league. I really don't think there is any chance of that happening, but they struggle in football, and no move in the Sacramento area is going to change that. I don't think that the section would really mix in north and south teams in a league as a full member, but it actually was once considered. (Around ten years ago, the section considered Galt and Liberty Ranch to join the Valley Oak League.) Current Division III League Valley Oak League (VOL) Current: Central Catholic, East Union, Kimball, Lathrop, Manteca, Oakdale, Sierra, Weston Ranch My Prediction: Central Catholic, East Union, Lathrop, Manteca, Oakdale, Sierra, Weston Ranch Possible Curveball: Beyer, Central Catholic, Manteca, Modesto Christian, Oakdale, St. Mary's, Sierra, Weston Ranch Notes For my actual prediction, there is not a lot to change. Kimball should be with all the Tracy schools. Another possibility is if Beyer is going to have a low enrollment, then it should go to the VOL. As for the curveball, what if the Section wants to create a super conference like the two it has up north? The VOL is a great league to make it happen. There are already state champions and other powers in football and basketball in the league. Beyer and Modesto Christian would add firepower to basketball, and St. Mary's would add it to football. I do think that no matter what happens, the VOL will move up to a division II league because of all the success. Current Division IV League Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Current: Central Valley, Ceres, Livingston, Los Banos, Pacheco, Patterson My prediction: Central Valley, Ceres, Davis, Johansen, Livingston, Mountain House, Pacheco Possible curveball: Central Valley joins Patterson in leaving the WAC, but I do not have a destination in mind for the Hawks. Notes Most writers and fans agree that there will be some changes in this league. Everyone I have either talked to or read from says that Davis and Johansen will be in this league. Mountain House plays as a “wildcard” here. The enrollment is low, and until the town grows and the high school is large enough for it to join the TCAL, the Mustangs need to be somewhere. I think it will progressively move toward the TCAL, which means that the next stop is the WAC. Current Division V leagues Mother Lode League (MLL) Current: Amador, Argonaut, Bret Harte, Calaveras, Linden, Sonora, Summerville My prediction: Amador, Argonaut, Bret Harte, Calaveras, Linden, Riverbank, Summerville Possible curveball: Same alignment as my prediction, except Calaveras leaves and Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage joins Notes Sonora has proven to be too good in football to stay in this league. I know Riverbank is a curveball geographically, but some games in football would be winnable for them, and Riverbank vs. Calaveras would make a good match-up in basketball. Trans Valley League (TVL) Current: Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Modesto Christian (non-basketball), Mountain House, Ripon, Riverbank (non-football), Ripon Christian (basketball only) My prediction: Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Modesto Christian (non-basketball), Orestimba, Ripon, Sonora Possible curveball: Calaveras, Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, MC (non-basketball), Orestimba, Ripon, Sonora Notes In reality, there are not many changes that need to be made. Sonora should be added, because the football and volleyball teams are too talented for the MLL. The addition of Calaveras isn’t as crucial, therefore it will likely stay in the MLL. However, the enrollment is comparable to those of the TVL schools. How large will that have to be before they are forced to join the TVL? Current Division VI League Southern League (SL) Current: Delhi, Denair, Gustine, LeGrand, Mariposa, Orestimba, Ripon Christian (non-basketball), Waterford My prediction: Same teams except for Orestimba. Possible curveball/notes: Depending on how events occur, I can see Modesto Christian coming back for all sports except for basketball. I can also see Big Valley joining the league. Division VII Leagues Notes on the CCAA and MVL. The only possible change I see is perhaps Jim Elliot Christian going to the MVL to be in the same league as Lodi Academy, especially if the Eagles are no longer going to have football. On that subject, the CCAA should be an 8-man football league. That would make it easier for those schools to have football, and perhaps some MVL schools could have football. I will throw a curveball for the MVL. How about Lee Vining joining the league? Does someone know why it is in the Southern Section anyway. Geographically it is north of some Sac-Joaquin Section schools. The farthest school from it in the MVL is closer than some of the schools in the league It’s in now. I know the MVL would reject the idea due to travel, but it is a move the Section should consider.

If I Was King of Sports- NCAA Baseball NIT

I really think college baseball needs a NIT tournament.  There are always a few teams that deserve to have some kind of postseason.  As always, if I had my way, the my postseason tournament would be based from the records only. In my vision, I would take every team that had a better record than the at-large team with the worst record (I call that the "target team").  Usually there are 50-60 teams that fit the category. This year, there are only 33.  The committee did a better job in that respect.

This year, my tournament consists of six regions of six teams each. The winners would have played in a six-team championship series.  (Note: Once again, the remaining three spots would be filled by Division II teams that did not make its college world series.)

Target team: Wake Forest (34-25)

Region 1- Kent St. Regional (Kent, OH)
(6) West Virginia St. (32-15)* vs. (1) Kent St. (44-14)
(4) California (33-21) vs. (3) Michigan (36-21)
(5) Austin Peay (34-23) vs. (2) Missouri St. (38-21)

Region 6- VCU Regional (Richmond, VA)
(6) Norfolk St. (29-21) vs. (1) VCU (38-19)
(4) Marshall (34-21) vs. (3) West Virginia (36-22)
(5) Delaware (32-22) vs. (2) UNC-Greensboro (38-21)

Region 4- Hartford Regional (Hartford, CT)
(6) Northwestern St. (33-24) vs. (1) Hartford (37-18)
(4) Jacksonville (33-22) vs. (3) Fresno St. (36-22)
(5) Jacksonville St. (34-24) vs. (2) Seton Hall (38-20)

Region 3- BYU Regional (Provo, UT)
(6) California Baptist (42-13)* vs. (1) BYU (37-17)
(4) Nevada (37-24) vs. (3) Seattle (37-21)
(5) Northridge St. (33-22) vs. (2) Oregon St. (35-19)

Region 5- North Florida Regional (Jacksonville, FL)
(6) Bradley (29-21) vs. (1) North Florida (39-19)
(4) Georgia Southern (36-24) vs. (3) Mercer (38-23)
(5) Florida A&M (31-21) vs. (2) Gardner-Webb (37-21)

Region 2- Creighton Regional (Omaha, NE)
(6) Arkansas-Monticello (40-16) vs. (1) Creighton (38-17)
(4) Houston (36-23) vs. (3) Indiana St. (35-21)
(5) New Mexico St. (34-23) vs. (2) Lamar (35-19)

Next Lacrosse program

     Lacrosse is growing in popularity all over the United States. Ten years ago, Major League Lacrosse put two teams in California, and they remained until a year after the economy crashed in 2008.  Though there are no longer any professional teams in California for the sport, it is increasing in popularity among the high schools.  There are many teams in the Los Angeles area, Bay Area, and a few teams in the Sacramento area. However, the sport is not as successful in the 209. Currently, there are only two programs in this area with lacrosse teams, St. Mary's and Lincoln. I believe that slowly more high schools will get teams.  I think that eventually every division I school in the area and a few smaller schools will have the sport.  Which school will be next?  Here is a list of five candidates I think have the best chance of being the next school.

(Teams will be listed in alphabetical order)

Bear Creek Bruins (Stockton)

Why? When things spread, they often go to the closest thing geographically. In this case, Bear Creek is the closest school to Lincoln.

Why not? Though Bear Creek is the closest geographically to Lincoln, it plays in a different league. 

2. Golden Valley Cougars (Merced)

Why?: UC-Merced has a team on the club level. I don't know if the Golden Bobcats would want to have a varsity program; but either way, Golden Valley could serve as a feeder program for the university.

Why not?: Golden Valley is so far away from the other teams. The two Stockton schools are the closest opponents to Golden Valley, and they are more than an hour drive away.

3. Lodi Flames

Why?: It is the closest division I school to Sacramento.  In addition, it plays in the same league as Lincoln and St. Mary's.

Why not?: Honestly, I cannot think of anything of substance to answer this question. There are other programs that seem more suitable than Lodi, but I have no evidence to support that statement.

4. Ripon Christian Knights

Why?: Ripon Christian is the only school under 1,000 I think has a shot. Why? Currently the Knights have fewer spring sports than other schools.  They don't have a track team, and they got rid of boy’s volleyball a few years ago.  Lacrosse would allow extra training for the football, and more important to them, basketball players.

Why not?: Size. Since the school has around 175 students, it would need a large percentage of students not already playing a sport to play lacrosse.  That is not likely.

5. Tracy Bulldogs 

Why?: Though Mountain House is the closest school to the Bay Area, it is still too small right now. The next closest town is Tracy.  Out of the three public Tracy high schools, Tracy High has had the most athletic success. Plus, it is in the same league as Lincoln and St. Mary's.

Why not?: West and Kimball are closer to the Bay Area, and that may increase the chances of one of those two schools of getting the program.

Order of likelihood of lacrosse actually happening in my opinion:
Tracy  2) Lodi  3) Bear Creek  4) Ripon Christian  5) Golden Valley
Bonus Information: 

Next 5 Schools I think have a chance to be the next program
6. West (Tracy) 7. Tokay (Lodi) 8. McNair (Stockton) 9. Gregori (Modesto) 10. Enochs (Modesto)

In reality, I think the sport will get bigger in the Sacramento - area before it makes its way South. The next school in the entire Sac-Joaquin Section that gets it will be Folsom 

What if NCAA Division II had all the postseason tournaments Division I has?

A coworker and I were talking about the Stanislaus State women's basketball team the day after they lost the first round of the CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association) tournament against CSU-San Bernardino. He said, "And in Division II, there is no NIT, CIT, or anything. It's 'turn in your jersey on Monday.'"  That got me thinking. What if there were all these additional tournaments for NCAA Division II?  First of all, if the qualifying procedures were the same for Division II as they are in Division I, Stanislaus State would automatically qualify for the Division II WNIT as the top team of the CCAA not to make the NCAA tournament. Here is what I have designed for the men's side.

NIT
In division I, regular season conference champions that do not make the NCAA tournament get an automatic bid to the NIT. However, in division II, it is rare that the regular season conference champion does not make the NCAA tournament. In fact, out of 24 conferences in division II, only two regular season chanpions did not make the Division II tournament, and one of them was ineligible, because the school has not been a division II school long enough (yes, division II has that rule, too). Therefore, in my mind, I made some changes for division II NIT. First, I would split the 32 teams in the same regions that the NCAA Division II tournament has, so I have them split in eight regions of four teams each. Also, instead of having just the higher seed host, I would have the top seed host the regions (with one exception). Second, the top team in each conference that did not make the NCAA tournament would get an automatic bid, with the top ranked team in each region not already in a tournament get an at-large bid.  Here is what my NIT would look like:

WEST at Dixie St.
(4) CSU-Monterey Bay @ (1) Dixie St.
(3) Alaska-Anchorage vs. (2) Alaska-Fairbanks (This is my exception. Since they are both Alaska teams, and that state is a long way from the lower 48 states, I would have UAF host that game, and the winner go to St. George, UT to play the winner of the other game.)

SOUTH CENTRAL  at West Texas A&M
(4) Texas A&M International @ (1) West Texas A&M
(3) Cameron vs. (2) Colorado Mesa

CENTRAL at East Central
(4) Northern St. @ (1) East Central
(3) Pittsburg St. vs. (2) Missouri Southern St.

MIDWEST at Findlay
(4) Alderson-Broaddus @ (1) Findlay
(3) Drury vs. (2) Lake Superior St.

EAST at Adelphi
(4) Bloomfield @ (1) Adelphi
(3) Daemen vs. (2) Merrimack

ATLANTIC at Indiana (PA)
(4) Chowan @ (1) Indiana (PA)
(3) Notre Dame (OH) vs. (2) East Stroudsburg

SOUTHEAST at Barton
(4) Young Harris @ (1) Barton
(3) Newberry vs. (2) Augusta St.

SOUTH at Delta St.
(4) Miles @ (1) Delta St.
(3) Lynn vs. (2) Valdosta St.

Vegas 16
First, for Division II, I'd move it to Reno and put it in the Reno Events Center. The idea of the Vegas 16 was to have 8 teams from the power conferences and 8 teams from the others. I don't know what the power conferences are in Division II, but I used the top 7 ranked conferences as the power conferences and took the top 8 ranked in each section for my team selection. Here would-be my bracket

How I would make Reno 16
Power Conferences
CCAA
LSC
PAC WEST
GLIAC
HC
NSIC
PSAC

Tournament
Lindenwood vs. BYU-Hawaii
St. Martin’s vs. Grand Valley St.
Southern Indiana vs. Hillsdale
Chaminade vs. Truman St
Montana St.-Billings vs. Hawaii Pacific
Sonoma St. vs. Quincy
Western Washington vs. San Francisco St.
Point Loma vs. Central Washington

By the way, since the real Vegas 16 couldn't field 16 teams, they should have just made the first day a showcase of division II basketball teams, just my opinion.

CBI
I would make this one work like the real CBI. For the team selection, I just used the top 16 ranked teams. I didn't pay attention to records.

Metro St. @ Dominican (CA)
Cal State-L.A @ Winona St
Shippensburg @ Texas A&M-Commerce
Michigan Tech @ Newman
Mary @ St. Edward’s
Sioux Falls @ Walsh
Upper Iowa @ Hawai'i-Hilo
Texas-Permian Basin @ Northwood

CIT
The one change I would make is to seed the top 8 teams to make sure they don't play each other until the quarterfinals. I would make everything else the same.

Southern Arkansas (GAC) @ (8) Central Oklahoma (MIAA)
Bridgeport (ECC) @ (7) Franklin Pierce (NE-10)
University of the Sciences (CACC) @ Bloomsburg (PSAC)
Trevecca Nazarene (GMAC) @ Carson-Newman (SAC)
Georgia College & State (PBC) @ Emmanuel (CC)
Colorado-Colorado Springs (RMAC) @ (5) Colorado St.-Pueblo (RMAC)
Minnesota-Duluth (NSIC) @ (4) Washburn (MIAA)
Lincoln (MO) (MIAA) @ (2) Rodgers St. (GAC)
Slippery Rock (PSAC) @ Bowie St. (CIAA)
Long Island-Post (ECC) @ Pittsburgh-Johnstown (PSAC)
Edinboro (PSAC) @ West Virginia Wesleyan (MEC)
Charleston (MEC) @ Shepherd  (MEC)
New Mexico Highlands (RMAC) @ (1) Concordia-Irvine (PacWest)
North Alabama (GSC) @ Embry - Riddle (IND)
Oakland City (IND) @ (3) San Marcos St. (CCAA)
Minot St. (NSIC) @ (6) Fresno Pacific (PacWest)

If I Was King of Sports-3rd Annual 209 basketball tournament

This may be the last year that I do this for basketball. I realized that this tournament might be better for baseball.

There is one change in the seeding priority. Section champions and runners up get priority, even if they did not win league. Here is what my tournament would look like this year.
Pod A- at Modesto Christian
(8) Tokay (TCAL) vs. (1) Modesto Christian (MMC)
(5) Merced (CCC) vs. (4) Tioga (MVL)
(6) Escalon (TVL) vs. (3) Calaveras (MLL)
(7) Orestimba (SL) vs. (2) Jim Elliot Christian (CCAA)

Pod B- at Weston Ranch (Stockton)
(8) Linden (MLL) vs. (1) Weston Ranch (VOL)
(5) Gustine (SL) vs. (4) Hughes Academy (MVL)
(6) Stagg (SJAA) vs. (3) Beyer (MMC)
(7) Buhach Colony (CCC) vs. (2) Ripon (TVL)

Pod C- at Central Catholic (Modesto)
(8) Amador (MLL) vs. (1) Central Catholic (VOL)
(5) Holt Academy (MVL) vs. (4) Venture Academy (CCAA)
(6) Franklin (SJAA) vs. (3) Patterson (WAC)
(7) Riverbank (TVL) vs. (2) St. Mary's (TCAL)

Pod D- at Mariposa
(8) Millennium (CCAA) vs. (1) Mariposa (SL)
(5) Lathrop (VOL) vs. (4) Sonora (MLL)
(6) Gregori (MMC) vs. (3) Lodi (TCAL)
(7) Hughson (TVL) vs. (2) Pitman (CCC)

Pod E- at Stockton Christian
(8) Livingston (WAC) vs. (1) Stockton Christian (MVL)
(5) East Union (VOL)vs. (4) Lincoln (TCAL)
(6) Hilmar (TVL) vs. (3) Argonaut (MLL)
(7) Modesto (MMC) vs. (2) Edison (SJAA)

Pod F- at Manteca
(8) Turlock (CCC) vs. (1) Manteca (VOL)
(5) Enochs (MMC) vs. (4) Big Valley (CCAA)
(6) Lodi Academy (MVL) vs. (3) Chavez (SJAA)
(7) Denair (SL) vs. (2) Ripon Christian (TVL)

Pod G- at Brookside Christian (Stockton)
(8) Delta Charter (MVL) vs. (1) Brookside Christian (CCAA)
(5) Bret Harte (MLL) vs. (4) Davis (MMC)
(6) Ceres (WAC) vs. (3) McNair (SJAA)
(7) Kimball (VOL) vs. (2) El Capitan (WAC/CCC)

Pod H- at Liberty Ranch (Galt)
(8) Johansen (MMC) vs. (1) Liberty Ranch (SVC)
(5) Central Valley (WAC) vs. (4) West (TCAL)
(6) Atwater (CCC) vs. (3) Sierra (VOL)
(7) Bear Creek (SJAA) vs. (2) Summerville (MLL)

The Way Too Early 2018 Sac-Joaquin Section Realignment Predictions

Every four years, the Sac-Joaquin Section realigns its teams based on enrollments and competitive ability.  Many years, changes are only minor, but there were significant league changes in 2014.  Central Catholic was moved up to the Valley Oak League. Up north, Oak Ridge and Folsom moved to the Sierra Foothill League, which made a tough league even tougher. There will be another realignment in 2018. There probably will not be as many moves in 2018 as there were in 2014. Unlike the NCAA, the Sac-Joaquin Section board decides which team joins what league, instead of teams and leagues agreeing. In this blog, I will make 5 predictions on how the section will move teams and why I think so. If ESPN can make way too early predictions, why can't I? My predictions will only involve teams in the southern part of the section.

1) Davis will get moved to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Once Gregori High School became Modesto’s seventh public high school, the enrollment at Davis High School dropped drastically. It quickly went from over 2,000 students to just over 1,400. Enrollment-wise, it is a perfect fit for the WAC. In addition, I read that the section gave Modesto City Schools one last chance to balance the enrollment numbers, or the city's schools will be split into different conferences. The section did not follow through when it had the chance to do a rare move and have the Spartans move conferences in the middle of a realignment period. I predict that the section will follow through this time. While we're at it…

2) Johansen will join Davis in moving to the WAC.

Enrollment wise, Johansen High School would be too large for the WAC with over 1,900 students. However, competitive equity is also a factor in placing schools in conferences.  Johansen has not been successful in the Modesto Metro Conference (MMC) in the major sports for a few years.  Sometime the section will make moves to help programs out, like allowing Riverbank football to play as an independent. I think it will do the same for the Vikings and move them to the WAC. If I am correct that both Davis and Johansen move to the WAC, that will leave the MMC with five teams in all sports, except for basketball. The section would fill the league with a sixth team. I will not make a formal prediction on who that team would be, but some possible candidates would be Oakdale, Central Catholic, and Modesto Christian.

3) Patterson will join the Valley Oak League (VOL) or the MMC.

Patterson has around 1,700 students. It is too large for the WAC, and the Tigers have some success. Last time, I predicted the Tigers would be in the VOL and I was wrong. It is only now that I am writing this particular prediction that I think the MMC is a possibility. Patterson may soon equal or surpass Johansen’s enrollment, but the Tigers athletically can “hang” with the teams in the MMC whereas the Vikings have struggled. Soon it will get to the point that Patterson is too large for the WAC, and it will have to join one of those two leagues. If the Tigers move to the VOL, one of the teams currently in it will have to leave to prevent a nine-team league. The three most likely choices are either Oakdale or Central Catholic to the MMC or Kimball moves to the Tri City Athletic League.

4) The VOL will be a division II league.

Not only will the section change teams around, but it will change division status of leagues if the teams are too good. A few years ago, the section moved the Sierra Foothill League up to Division I from Division II, because the teams were too good. Currently the VOL is a division III league. As a division III league, the VOL has had a lot of success. Just this year alone, there have been all-VOL finals in football, boy's soccer, and boy's water polo, and the year is only half-over. There could be an All-VOL final in boy’s basketball, too. Also, in football, the league had two section, NorCal, and state champions in Sierra and Central Catholic. The league also had two section champions in girl’s water polo with Oakdale winning in division II and Kimball winning division III. The section could keep Division III at two leagues, but I think either the Metro League or the Solano County Athletic Conference will move down to Division III.

5) The MINUTE the Sac-Joaquin Section decides to make the team wrestling playoff divisions enrollment-based, Oakdale gets bumped up to Division I.

When I was in high school, a certain amount of teams in each league made the playoffs (the amount depended on the specific league), and the playoff divisions and brackets determined where and who each team played. Now many sports have the division assignments based on enrollments. However, some sports still use the old system for playoffs: boy’s and girl’s team tennis, baseball, softball, and team wrestling. 

I don't think the section will base wrestling divisions by enrollment any time soon, but I could be wrong. The section will move teams up a division for being too successful. It happened to Central Catholic football. The Raiders were moved up to division III this year, and because they won the championship again this year, they will be moved up to division II next year. There has been one program in the 209 that has even been more successful than Central Catholic football over the past decade, and that has been Oakdale wrestling. The team has won eight championships in a row whether the VOL has been a division IV league or a division III. The team has been ranked in the top-15 in the state (across all divisions), and I have been told there have been JV wrestlers that could have advanced to sections if the wrestlers went to any other school. This year, the Oakdale wrestling team has been as high as #2 in the section and #12 in the state, and that is not even the best team Oakdale has had in the past decade. I am sure the section will want Oakdale to compete against Del Oro, Elk Grove, Vacaville, and Folsom for the playoffs.

Bonus: There will still be no “private school” league.

There are some people who believe that the private schools should not be able to be in the same league as the public schools, and they call for an all-private school league. Technically, there is already three all-private school leagues, the Central California Athletic Alliance, Sacramento Metro Athletic League, and the North Pacific League, but those leagues do not have any power private schools, with the possible exception of Brookside Christian of the CCAA. But, there is no “power private school league” in the Sac-Joaquin Section like the West Catholic League in the Central Coast Section, and there won't be any time soon for two reasons…
There aren't enough teams.
There are only two ways to get enough teams, and neither are plausible. Either have the schools that do not focus on athletics be put in the same leagues that do, and that is not fair. The athletic programs that do not completely focus on sports won't be able to survive, and those kids should have a place to play.  The other option is to have a north/south league, but I am sure the section will not want to do that. In the south (209), there are Central Catholic, Modesto Christian, Ripon Christian, St. Mary's, and maybe Brookside Christian. In the north, there are: Capital Christian, Christian Brothers, Jesuit, Sacramento (a charter school, but those schools would be “privates” in the athletic sense), and maybe Bradshaw Christian.

B) There are enough public schools that are just as good, and some even better than the private schools.

In football and basketball, the top-ranked team in the section is public-school Folsom. Jesuit usually finishes third or fourth in the league it is currently in. Central Catholic finished third in the VOL in basketball this year, behind Weston Ranch and Manteca. Also, Oakdale and Central Catholic trade wins. As long as there are enough public schools that can compete, there will not be a “power private school league”.

In 2017, we will find out what the section will decide. I am curious to see if I get any of these predictions correct.