The Wolcott boys basketball team (10-7) has already locked up a Class M state tournament berth.
The focus is on getting ready for the state tournament, but there is a prize to be won. The Eagles (5-2) are a half-game ahead of both Torrington (4-2) and Watertown (4-2) in the top-heavy NVL Iron Division. Wolcott concludes its Iron schedule tonight with a home game against Naugatuck (1-4) at 7 in the John Morris Gymnasium. The only division win for the Greyhounds, however, was against the Eagles in their first meeting in Naugatuck.
At stake for the Eagles is the ability to clinch at least a tie for the Iron Division title.
There are several title scenarios, but here’s what Wolcott needs to clinch:
- “Just win baby!” (to quote the late Oakland/L.A. Raiders owner Al Davis): Wolcott clinches at least a tie for the division with a victory over Naugatuck tonight
- A Watertown loss: The Indians are out of the hunt with one defeat. Then again, a tiebreaker with Wolcott would go to the Eagles by virtue of their two wins over the Indians this season. Watertown needs a Wolcott loss and a Torrington loss, then needs to win out itself to stand alone with the title.
- A Torrington loss: The Eagles and Red Raiders would tie for the division if both win out, and each won a game against the other this season. That means NVL tiebreakers would be brought into play. Not sure what that entails…
- Of note, Watertown won the first meeting against Torrington. The two teams play each other again tonight in Torrington.
Hopefully I didn’t miss any scenarios, but at 3 a.m., anything is possible. Bottom line, if Wolcott wins tonight, the Eagles own at least a share of the NVL Iron Division title. A win and any loss by Watertown or Torrington, and Wolcott takes the title outright.
