The BEST teams not to win

Who are some of the best teams not to win a regional title? And why?

Who are some the best teams not to win a state title? And why?

Example:

Those Mike Bush Male teams in early 2000's failed to win a state championship and they had loads of talent. They had size, athleticism, toughness and defense...had a couple good shooters too!

Trinity in 2015 had Ray Spalding and at least four other D1 kids with a few D2 and D3 on bench- lost in state semis

Was it 2013 that Ballard had Quentin Snider and Kelan Martin and lost the title game to Madison Central at the buzzer? That team was solid.

You could probably put several Ballard teams over the years on this list.

Mason County 2004.

Best team not to win a state title: 1944 Brooksville Polar Bears. The team was 22-0 heading into the postseason. They we’re ranked number 1 in the state and were sitting at 27-0 in the semi finals of the state tournament when they were upset by Olive Hill (now West Carter). I have talked to people on that team. I think they were under a lot of pressure to repeat the feat done in 1939. The entire 1944 starting 5 was given a scholarship to play at UK by Adolph Rupp, saying Brooksville was the best high school basketball team he has ever seen. They were also state runner up in the baseball state tournament that year coached by Jarvis Parsley as well. Here are some letters and articles from 1944 you all are gonna love:

1976 Male.

Darrell Griffith and Bobby Turner.

2010 Holmes Bulldogs upset by Newport in Regional Final.

1976 Male.

Darrell Griffith and Bobby Turner.

Those guys did win state as Juniors, so there is some consolation there.

And the team that beat 'em (by 2 points) in the '76 region final was Richard Schmidt's Ballard team...which was getting ready to win it all in 1977.

Madisonville in 1988 (29-4) and '89 (30-5) had terrific teams with Travis Ford. Only 4 of 9 total losses came to Kentucky teams.

A couple of teams come to mind for me... Paintsville in '97-'98 and Scott County in '98-'99.

When Paintsville won it all in '96 with a nucleus of underclassmen (including sophomore JR VanHoose) leading the way, I thought for sure that they'd cut down the nets at Rupp at least one more time. But, it wasn't meant to be. The Tigers finished runner-up to Scott County in '98.

The next year, Scott County returned a loaded roster that included at least three future D1 players and two Mr. Basketballs. They were #1 in the state pretty much all year and nationally ranked (someone correct me, if I'm wrong). They returned to the Sweet 16 Championship Game, but couldn't buy a bucket for the majority of the game and got trounced by Ballard, 71-47. They finished the season 36-2, with both losses coming at the hands of the Bruins.

Thanks for sharing @brooksville. I wasn't at all familiar with that team. I love hearing about those great old teams from way back when.

Mason County 2004.

If Wes Jones is eligible, they roll to a title.

If Wes Jones is eligible, they roll to a title.

If former U.K. Football player Leroy Wilson was not kicked off team at tournament time for Warren Central in 2003 they would have won state and not Mason county.

#1 Male in 1983 with Winston Bennett. Also, 1978 Apollo was undefeated entering the tournament.

#1 Male in 1983 with Winston Bennett. Also, 1978 Apollo was undefeated entering the tournament.

Didn't that 1983 Male team lose in the district semi-finals??