I just watched class 1A of Iowa's State Tournament semi-finals on ESPN and the two teams were pretty terrible. I hope the "everyone deserves a trophy mentality" that is in the football divisions never happens to basketball. It makes it unique and actually mean something.
I'm glad Kentucky only has one high school state champ.
- Thread starter KingOfBBN
- Start date
It is what makes High school ball so special in Kentucky. Here in Tn you have teams losing on purpose in regional semi finals so they dont have to play certain teams in the sub state...you can lose your district championship game. your regional semi final game and still go to a substate game....win that and go to the state tourney...it is really watered down and high school basketball attendance in TN is terrible and the state tournament is really sad.....The Kentucky state tournament...."The greatest show on earth"....
They still do but the class A tournament is held outside of the regular distict/regional/state, teams that qualify for the class A held in January can also play in the regular tournament in Feb/March. I have been to the Class A on several ocassions and the competition has been really good. So not sure what the original poster's point is except Iowa basketball sucks.
Huge difference in that type of college ball ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY compared to a small state like Kentucky. Having six classes in the state for football is absurd and pretty ridiculous. One champ in basketball because in this state, anyone can beat anyone.
Also, they do have an All A state but no one puts any stock into that or considers that to be the whole shebang. There have been multiple 1A and 2A type schools win the Sweet 16 and I hope it never changes.
Including Harlan, but that was a long, long time ago. Heck that was long before even I was born lol. I would think it's been quite a while now since a class A school won the S16. It's not just the Lexington and Louisville schools any more, it's the abundance of large county schools across the state including one in their own backyard. My dad pulled me out of school from the 6th grade on so he, I, and one of his best buddies could attend the Sweet 16 every year. Even when I played we never got out of the district so I still got to go. Some tremendous, wonderful memories there! We went to every game, every year.
I think some states have more than that, like seven or eight. The kids know they are state champs, the town can put a sign up on the highway as you're driving into it, but no one else know it. You get so many classes/divisions that no one cares. But in Ky. everyone knows who won the state championship game, even those who don't care about basketball.
Well I've been out west for 36 years now, but I'm pretty sure that was the aforementioned class A tournament. Still a nice accomplishment though. I think the late 60's, perhaps '69 was the last time they made the Sweet 16. The town has done nothing but continue to shrink for decades now. Not to get into politics on this board, but I think it's future would best be staked on tourism. It really is a beautiful area. I know "4 wheeling" and ATV's have become popular there with all the old logging and mining roads, but it's my understanding from the few I still am in touch with there that it's still not widely embraced by the area. People there are stubborn when it comes to change. As for those old roads I kissed more than one girl on those things. It's a great place to have grown up, and be from. Emphasis on the last word. I know from FB in recent years that my HS contemporaries are spread all over the country, many of us reasonably successful in life. But we had to leave to make it so.
Same here. Always had some fine memories with my father during that time.
Also, Paintsville won it in 1996 and Shelby Valley won it all in 2010 so that is at least twice in the past twenty years that a very small school could win it all and beat the big boys.
That is a good way of doing it.
Always good to see you here. When I do I sometimes wonder what if... No guys, not that. Meh. What happened was meant to happen. I've got no complaints, far from it. I'm sure I turned out much better off in software than I ever would have as an attorney. I really don't like to argue.
Always good to see you here. When I do I sometimes wonder what if... No guys, not that. Meh. What happened was meant to happen. I've got no complaints, far from it. I'm sure I turned out much better off in software than I ever would have as an attorney. I really don't like to argue.
And a small mountain school is going to win it all this year! GO PATRIOTS!!
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
I agree. This make Ky ball special. I grew up going to sweet 16 games and the games here in Ohio are not the same and people here don't believe me when I say all HS teams are in the same tourney in Ky. Love it when the small schools win it
OP, I don't think separating schools by class is the "everyone deserves a trophy mentality". I am very much against that mentality. But 95+ times out of 100 the small 200 student school (unless it is a private school which can recruit) has no chance vs a school of 3000 students.
I personally like the class system its not fair to a small school with 600 students to compete against a school of 3000.I attended a middle school that had 1600 students and we thrashed everyone in all sports.It got so bad some small schools would forfeit because they knew they had no chance.In high school I attended a 4A school and the results would have been similar if we played smaller schools.
This post was edited on 3/13 1:02 AM by chris311976
This post was edited on 3/13 1:02 AM by chris311976
In basketball, any good team can win it. That's why you don't see the big Louisville schools or private schools that recruit win it. It can be done and proof of why the class system is not necessary in basketball. If little Paintsville and Shelby Valley can win it, then anyone can win it. It just takes a special group of kids.
And in football, in this state, having six classes is beyond ridiculous. There is hardly a difference between the 3A,4A and 5A/6A. Four classes was pushing it. Six is outrageous.
But the Sweet 16 format is unique and if I was a player, I'd rather make the Sweet 16 and have that experience then play against scrub teams and call myself a 'champ.'
Also, watch the state tournaments of other states with the several class systems. There is hardly anyone at those games. Its sad. But the KHSAA Sweet 16 is always special and packed.
Love all the "private schools that recruit" comments. Because everyone knows that none of the public schools would ever resort to such chicanery.
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
And there are sanctions levied against public schools that recruit. On the other hand, private schools MUST recruit in order to exist. They recruit not only athletes but essentially all students. Private schools have no geographic boundaries as do public schools. A kid that lives in Pikeville can enroll at one of the catholic schools in louisville and it's acceptable whereas if his parents attempted to enroll him in a louisville public school, his place of residence would render him ineligible.
It is what it is...private schools have to recruit...all students. Admit it or not, they have a significant advantage.
It is what it is...private schools have to recruit...all students. Admit it or not, they have a significant advantage.
There are supposed to be sanctions against public schools who recruit but more often than not the rules aren't enforced. Recruiting now, across the state as a whole, is worse than it's ever been. At least the private schools are honest about it. Public schools recruit like Cal and lie to get out of punishment. And Julian Tackett lets it all go on like it's nothing, what a joke of a commissioner.
Not exactly right Ram. If a kid from Pikeville played for Pikeville HS and then enrolled in a Louisville catholic school he would still have to sit out one year if he had played varsity sports just like if he transferred to Belfry.
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
OP, I don't think separating schools by class is the "everyone deserves a trophy mentality". I am very much against that mentality. But 95+ times out of 100 the small 200 student school (unless it is a private school which can recruit) has no chance vs a school of 3000 students.
You are correct, sir.
You are correct, sir.