KHSAA Sweet 16
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I’m 59 years old and from Knox County and I can’t remember Knox Central going to state.
Warren Central won it in 2004 and lost in the Championship game in 2005. Christian County won in 2011, and, as you've said, Owensboro in '15 and Bowling Green in '17. The far western schools haven't fared too well. I think McCracken County will win the 1st Region today, if so, they'll head to Rupp with a 32-3 record. They won the 1st last year too so they seem like they're primed to make a run at the state title.
I believe this may cause Billy Hicks to retire. He's been at it a long time.
He ended the year averaging 24-25 a game. He’s a stud at the 13th region level. He’s on pace to finish as a top 5 scorer in school history if he keeps it up. Going into next year he’s the early favorite for POY.
I"m a teacher down here in Warren County and I work at Warren Central's feeder middle school. Gotta support my Dragons from the 4th Region!
I’m from Union County, part of the 2nd Region. One of those five schools you mentioned usually reps the 2nd Region in the Sweet Sixteen. UHA qualifies as a small school based on enrollment, but they are a private school and my understanding is they bring in kids from outside Christian County, both for academics and athletics.
Not sure why the HC boys team doesn’t have more success. I know their girls program is usually pretty strong and goes to the girls Sweet Sixteen quite often.
2nd Region Earlington 1967, can’t remember if this was the first team to win the State Tournament from that Region or if it had just been a long time.
Correct, Union County over the years has been just as tough as the others mentioned. Caldwell County is one of the other schools who could challenge every so often, they used to be tough in basketball, not sure what's happened the last 10 years in their basketball program. I remember UHA got caught breaking the rules in the 80's in basketball, as a result, County and Hoptown stopped playing them and would only see them in the region. They would ultimately meet in the region, that's how bitter it became, because there was always a Hoptown or County player who UHA convinced to transfer there along with some good international players.
If Covington Catholic was to win this year, they would be the first repeat champion since Fairdale won in 1990 and '91.
New school opening in Scott Co, another high school. I don’t know anything about that particular situation, but usually that spells trouble for the existing school in athletics. Shelby Co was always good, until Collins opened. North Hardin was always good - until John Hardin opened. I’m sure there are plenty of examples. You’re just taking away half (or whatever) of your talent base.
Good post. I’d quibble a little bit of it. Kentucky only has one real urban area, and I suppose you could include Lexington. If you’re trying to assess which schools have a real demographic advantage, I’d only include schools actually in those urban areas. I mean, Madison Co, Scott Co, suburban counties around Louisville - those are a lot closer to small town Kentucky than they are Ballard or Henry Clay. But I agree with the point of your post, that smaller schools have done pretty well.
They have 2650 kids in the school. They have put it off as long as they can.
Go Rocks! Got dogged in 2014 by a horrific no call that kept them out of the final. They are due a good break. Might have the best player.
Mayfield is a dark horse. Shoot the 3 well, athletic, hard-nosed, can really get after you defensively. Small ball
Yes that new school caused Woodford County to be moved into our Region 8 starting this coming year. I was surprised that a school from Franklin County wasn't moved in instead of Woodford County because everyone knows that the KHSAA makes all the right moves!!!!!
Remember that well, and it absolutely was a shocker.
I was in Florida for my freshman year of college. I (along with two other girls), had been the statisticians for our boy’s high school team in the 3rd region the previous year. We were a county high school, but had very strong teams during my high school years. We lost my senior year in the regional final game to Owensboro. Was hard for rural, county teams to compete with them most years, but we went toe to toe with them for a few seasons. One of our guys did get a scholarship to play for Abe Lemons at the University of Texas. One or two others also received Div. I scholarships.
Anyway, my mother would send newspaper clippings to me from the county paper throughout their season so I could keep up with the team, as I still had friends on it. Never will forget when she called and told me Edmonson Co. had won state. I was absolutely stunned. Couldn’t believe it and thought she couldn’t be right, until she sent me the newspaper clipping, lol.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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I remember very well when Edmonson County won State under Bo Davenport. They had a guard named Kevin Clemmons that was a great player who wore a knee brace. About ten years later while I was at UK I was playing pickup in the Seaton Center and a guy that wore a knee brace that could really play was on my team. He looked somewhat familiar and when he introduced himself I remembered the name. It was Clemmons and he was a really nice guy and could really play. I believe that he graduated from UK Dental School.
They didn’t even win the 6th district Union did. Union County also beat them by 17 in regular season. With an enrollment of over 2k students they should definitely be better than they are. I’m surprised that UHA didn’t win the region, it was always going to be them or Madisonville winning it this year. Union County is a team full of Sophomores who went undefeated as 8th graders. In 2 years they may be able to make some noise.
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Both of you failed to list Breckenridge County - 1995
That's my dad's Alma Mater.
I live in Scott County and I coached several of those boys in little league. And I'm friends with two of the dads. I'd love to see them win the title.
I wonder if any of the 16 regions has never had a championship. Which region has the most? I grew up in the 15 th. I think Virgie or Shelby Valley won one. Maybe Warfield or Inez. Did Paintsville win won one? I have been out of the state since 81 so I sorta lost track. I am assuming the Louisville teams have won the most.
Historically they've had players transfer in but the current roster is all home grown. ( Except for 1 player maybe)
They are splitting up because Scott County has the most students in the state and the building is overcrowded. There are approximately 2,000 kids in grades 10-12. Both Schools next year will be 5A.
I'm not saying that has never happened but that is 100% not the case with anyone on the current roster.
Tennis follows the one championship model as well. Though you can win as a team with total points and as an individual.
Pretty much. Ashland made the championship game in 96 & hasnt won it since 61, IIRC. That’s my alma mater & it’s recent lack of success is tough on fans & alums. We have a long, storied tradition of winning but today’s win gives us our first Sweet 16 appearance since 2002. Hard to believe. And, we’ll have the worst record in the field, at 17-16.
Until a few years ago Ashland had the 2nd most all-time wins in HS basketball history. But, we’ve been passed by a few teams since then. The population has dwindled steadily since the 80s & that is the major issue, IMO.
But, Rowan Co had a good run a few years ago & made it to the championship or FF, I can’t remember which. Elliot Co had a decent run recently, too. But, no championships in forever. That Ashland championship in 61 might be the last by a 16th region team. I’m not sure but I can’t think of any since then.
