When the former Inter-County League and Tri-County League merged to form the Inter-Tri County League two years ago, some people remained skeptical — could a league of this nature exist? So far, the teams quelled any naysayers with some postseason success. In the first season, five teams qualified for the football playoffs. This year, McDonald’s boys cross country team took second in the state in Division III, Mineral Ridge’s Nicole Honsaker won the D-III 100- and 300-meter hurdles and long jump state titles in track and field, and McDonald’s girls and Columbiana’s boys basketball teams advanced to the Division IV regional semifinals, just to name a few accomplishments. ‘‘Our basketball teams have performed well in tournament play, although we haven’t reached the state level just yet,’’ said Paul Andraso, the ITCL commissioner. ‘‘That’s what you hope to do as a league and see your best teams and hope they do well.’’ The league has done well ever since its inception.