Hurrah for Springfield basketball

Both Cosmo basketball teams are continuing to play in the Division II hoop ranks. Most schools in recent years have jumped in line to move down in classification if they can in any sport.
http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/this-that-19

HURRAH FOR SPRINGFIELD BASKETBALL- Both Cosmo basketball teams are continuing to play in the Division II hoop ranks. Most schools in recent years have jumped in line to move down in classification if they can in any sport. Schools actually don't have much of a choice in the VPA tournament classes, because those rankings are determined by school enrollment, but the Marble Valley League allows schools a great deal of flexibility in hopes of having their A, B, C and D divisions being as competitive as possible. They employ a formula, which takes into account, school size, number of athletes in the program, won-lost record in recent years and other pertinent numbers. What is best is determined by each school and in Springfield, both teams prefer playing in the B division at this time. People line up on both sides of the matter, when debate is staged on this type of thing. Staying in the B ranks is supported by people, who believe cycles come and go and will even out in the end and their teams will be competing at a higher level and many athletes like that challenge, regardless of the outcome. On the other side, many feel, being competitive on a daily basis is of vital importance and this is why the MVL has their flexibility scale. For example, for years, Windsor chose to play way above their numbers on both scales. Springfield has no choice VPA wise because their numbers at 251 girls and 248 boys, fall way above the cutoff number of 197. However, the MVL is different, where the Cosmo baseball program will compete in the C loop this spring due to choice. Looking at Springfield numbers of the win/loss variety in recent years, since 2007, the girl hoopsters started out 3-17 and have improved for the most part going 4-16, 6-14, 10-10 and 9-11 since. On the boys’ side, Springfield copped a state D-II title in 2009 and have since gone the other way. The records since have been 10-10, 8-12, 7-13 and 4-16. There are no simple answers as to the why except on the boys’ side lack of success have translated across all boy programs with wins seemingly harder to come by in every sport. The bottom line is that both sets of basketballers are up to the challenge of competing at a high level and old school thinking (right or wrong) gives them a standing ovation. - See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/this-that-19#sthash.MBbh1un0.dpuf