Stockaders still perfect, Warriors and Calvert girls still alive for league titles

As a way to try to stay "involved" with local basketball action, while trying not to freeze to death outside, I figured it would be a good time to provide an update on conference races as we near the end of the January. Hard to imagine, but there are only a few weeks of the regular season left.We'll start with the girls:SBC RiverTechnically, Calvert is still alive as far as achieving its first-ever league title in girls basketball. After the gut-wrenching defeat to Gibsonburg at home last week, the Senecas (9-2) are a game down to both Gibsonburg (10-1) and Danbury (10-1). However, in the first round of play, Danbury defeated Gibsonburg and then Calvert handled Danbury, so perhaps a three-way tie? It's still possible.While the league championship might evade the Senecas (12-2 overall), now being in Division VII could really benefit them towards a tournament run back to regionals.As long as the Senecas have Alyssa Rishty, anything is possible. She's currently averaging 25.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.2 steals per game. She is also only 14 points away from setting the all-time scoring record for the Calvert girls basketball program and 112 points away from the most points in Calvert history male or female.SBC LakeCan Bellevue avenge a loss to Norwalk earlier this season to claim a 15th-straight league title?The Lady Red (16-1, 6-1) trail Norwalk (14-1, 6-0) by one game in the league race and will get a shot at the Truckers on the last day of the regular season (2/8). But before then, when the kids return to the court after the arctic freeze, Columbian's girls have a huge opportunity to show just how much they've improved under first-year coach Morgan Harrigan. TC (10-5, 4-2) only won seven games a season ago and with all of its games being at home for the rest of the regular season, we'll see if it can match the 2018-19 season with 15 wins.And the Tornadoes played the Lady Red tough in Bellevue the first matchup – losing 60-48.N10Currently, Colonel Crawford (14-1, 10-1) is in front and has a one-game lead on Seneca East (11-4, 8-2). But the two have another matchup in North Robinson Jan. 31. CC did dominate the first matchup – 54-32.But considering SE won ONE game two seasons ago and eight last season, what an impressive rebuild by George Parks and his staff. Carey (10-5, 7-3) is two games back.NBCOak Harbor (10-1) and Genoa (10-1) are leading the NBC at this time as Fostoria is sixth with a 4-7 record.Now we'll take a look at boys basketball:SBC RiverCalvert (11-3, 8-2) had a good chance to make things interesting down the back stretch of the SBC River season, but falling for the second time to perfect Old Fort (12-1, 11-0) definitely threw a wrench into things. The Stockaders have looked the part as the league leader as it has now won 12 straight games after a season-opening loss at Colonel Crawford – certainly not a bad loss. The Stockaders have a two-game lead with seven league contests to go. I like their chances, considering the only real threat to them – other than the buzzer-beating win over Calvert – was Gibsonburg, who took them to overtime.New Riegel (9-4, 6-2) is currently sitting in third.SBC LakeOnce again, Sandusky (8-4, 5-0) is in a good position to win the SBC Lake this season. Currently unbeaten and fresh off a good win over Bellevue (10-4, 4-2), the Blue Streaks have a two-game lead in the division. Locally, Columbian (6-9, 2-3) is most likely out of the division race, but first-year coach Ryan Fretz has the Tornadoes trending upwards. TC has won three of its last four, including league wins over Norwalk and Clyde. Plus, TC played Sandusky well at Sandusky – 72-69 loss – in the first matchup. Can the Tornadoes keep the confidence going Thursday at Perkins? With senior Zach Shawberry leading the way, I give the Tornadoes a fighting chance to make some noise. He's currently averaging 15.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.N10In the second-half of the conference slate for all teams, it's basically down to league-leading Colonel Crawford and Mohawk.The first matchup was a game where Mohawk could've won in North Robinson, but the Eagles made a furious come back to stay undefeated in the league. Currently CC (12-1, 8-0) has a one-game lead over the Warriors (10-1, 6-1).While the Warriors do have games with Upper Sandusky (10-4, 5-3) and Seneca East (10-4, 6-3) left, the league could be settled on Feb. 12 as the Eagles come to Sycamore.NBCOtsego (12-1, 7-0) remains unbeaten and on top of the NBC so far this season as it has a one-game lead over Genoa (10-3, 5-1). Fostoria (7-7, 4-3) is tied for third in the league with Eastwood (6-5, 4-3).In conclusion, as we head into the last few weeks of the basketball seasons, things could either remain the same or get interesting … we'll have to wait and see.