They certainly should change the name. It is not an "All A" Tourney by any stretch. I know in the 10th Brossart usually always has a cake walk and in the 9th it is either St. Henry or New Cath. Unless Holy Cross won last night.

I gave a lot of thought to that comment a few years back on an earlier thread about the All "A" fullfilling it's intended purpose and have come to the conclusion that it has not - as it was originally intended.

 

In 1980 the tournament was formed to showcase the kids in the small schools who because of their school's small size couldn't compete with the AA-AAA-AAAA's of the state and had no chance to play in the "Sweet Sixteen" event.

It was primarily designed for what are now NKAC Division III type schools - Dayton, Ludlow, Bellevue, Beechwood, Silver Grove etc (who have never won a 9th "A" Regional since it went statewide). Silver Grove's 2001 team and this year's Beechwood team are prime examples of teams intended to be showcased by the All "A". However, a Brossart team that had just returned from Rupp the previous year (where they finished in the quarterfinals) beat the 17-0 Trains in '01 and NCC goes again this year, while Beechwood gets ready for their Tuesday night game at home against Ludlow.

 

In order to determine who was eligible they came up with the 420 in grades 10-12 scheme, which of course also encompassed what some consider to be mid-majors NCC, St. Henry, Holy Cross, and Brossart, teams that compete locally and regionally at a higher level than the aforementioned Division III programs.

 

I even thought about attaching conditions like in horseracing.

I.E.. "This tournament is for schools comprised of 420 students in grades 10-12 who have not qualified for the "Sweet Sixteen" state tournament in the past five years or won their All "A" Regional twice (or three times) consecutively." This would effectively eliminate NCC, St. Henry, and Brossart, and with NCC and St. Henry out - and eventually Holy Cross, who would win it for a couple of years without competition from those other perennial contenders, leaving room for one of those Division III teams to sneak in and fulfill the prophesy.

 

When I somewhat suggested this, someone posted a reply that in effect I was advocating a "best of the worst" tournament eliminating actual good "Class A" teams and punishing them for their success, which I guess in reality is what it would be.

 

I do think in some regions it does indeed fulfill it's intended mission, but in Northern Kentucky it is certainly more of a Class A tournament made up of "mid-major" contenders who are "Class A" but do not compete in Division III, all of who could all actually still be playing in Division III and dominating that too, if they so chose.

 

Think about it!

I gave a lot of thought to that comment a few years back on an earlier thread about the All "A" fullfilling it's intended purpose and have come to the conclusion that it has not - as it was originally intended.

 

In 1980 the tournament was formed to showcase the kids in the small schools who because of their school's small size couldn't compete with the AA-AAA-AAAA's of the state and had no chance to play in the "Sweet Sixteen" event.

It was primarily designed for what are now NKAC Division III type schools - Dayton, Ludlow, Bellevue, Beechwood, Silver Grove etc (who have never won a 9th "A" Regional since it went statewide). Silver Grove's 2001 team and this year's Beechwood team are prime examples of teams intended to be showcased by the All "A". However, a Brossart team that had just returned from Rupp the previous year (where they finished in the quarterfinals) beat the 17-0 Trains in '01 and NCC goes again this year, while Beechwood gets ready for their Tuesday night game at home against Ludlow.

 

In order to determine who was eligible they came up with the 420 in grades 10-12 scheme, which of course also encompassed what some consider to be mid-majors NCC, St. Henry, Holy Cross, and Brossart, teams that compete locally and regionally at a higher level than the aforementioned Division III programs.

 

I even thought about attaching conditions like in horseracing.

I.E.. "This tournament is for schools comprised of 420 students in grades 10-12 who have not qualified for the "Sweet Sixteen" state tournament in the past five years or won their All "A" Regional twice (or three times) consecutively." This would effectively eliminate NCC, St. Henry, and Brossart, and with NCC and St. Henry out - and eventually Holy Cross, who would win it for a couple of years without competition from those other perennial contenders, leaving room for one of those Division III teams to sneak in and fulfill the prophesy.

 

When I somewhat suggested this, someone posted a reply that in effect I was advocating a "best of the worst" tournament eliminating actual good "Class A" teams and punishing them for their success, which I guess in reality is what it would be.

 

I do think in some regions it does indeed fulfill it's intended mission, but in Northern Kentucky it is certainly more of a Class A tournament made up of "mid-major" contenders who are "Class A" but do not compete in Division III, all of who could all actually still be playing in Division III and dominating that too, if they so chose.

 

Think about it!

 

Mustang,

 

Taking your idea and running with it................

 

Why not evolve the All-A into the "Small School Showcase"?

 

Take the lower half (50%) of the schools playing basketball in the state by enrollment. Divide them again into two classes lets call them A and B by enrollment. Hold region competitions. Send them to Richmond for Class A and Class B championship competition.

 

Now region by region I'm not sure how many teams would be Class A or Class B. For example, the 9th region would be Class A (Dayton, Villa, Bellevue, Ludlow, Heritage) Class B would be (Holy Cross, Newport, St. Henry, NCC, Lloyd) so it would work out well.

Mustang,

 

Taking your idea and running with it................

 

Why not evolve the All-A into the "Small School Showcase"?

 

Take the lower half (50%) of the schools playing basketball in the state by enrollment. Divide them again into two classes lets call them A and B by enrollment. Hold region competitions. Send them to Richmond for Class A and Class B championship competition.

 

Now region by region I'm not sure how many teams would be Class A or Class B. For example, the 9th region would be Class A (Dayton, Villa, Bellevue, Ludlow, Heritage) Class B would be (Holy Cross, Newport, St. Henry, NCC, Lloyd) so it would work out well.

In other words - classify the "A" tournament - lol.

 

First of all, don't get me wrong - being somewhat selfish, we like it just as it is.

 

My comments were about fulfilling the mission of the All "A" as it was intended to when created.

 

The key words here are "by enrollment" which would still probably not solve anything. I suspect that many of the schools who have had the most success in the All "A" over the years are still smaller in enrollment than some of those who haven't.

 

Secondly it is already a scheduling nightmare to fit the "A" regional and state into your 24 game schedule (with two tournaments) requiring the scheduling of "drop games" etc.. There is just no way to know if you are going to be in the "A" state tournament or not and it is presently impossible to determine a 24 game schedule if you are playing in other tournaments such as the AIT, 5th/3rd, MCIT, etc as we do.

 

I think by splitting it up it would just become that much more watered down and then interest would start to wane.

The all A is a great interest to the fans here in the 10th region. One year to the next there is so much competion between schools you can cut it with a knife. Basketball at it's finest here.

The all A is a great interest to the fans here in the 10th region. One year to the next there is so much competion between schools you can cut it with a knife. Basketball at it's finest here.

 

I wouldn't say there is that much competition!

Im not penalizing Brossart at all. Not only have they proved themselves in the some what weak 10 region, look what they do down in the all "A" state tournament. They can compete and have a shot to win this year.

What you are forgetting whodey is that Brossart while maybe dominating the all A the last few years have graciously stepped aside in the district tournament and not hogged the show in March.

It is an All "A" tourney because all compete in it. Are you suggesting that private schools in Northern KY shouldn't be classified as "A"?

 

No, not at all> But 400 students from grades 10-12, which means the high school has over 500 students. Not quite an all A school population if you ask me.

No, not at all> But 400 students from grades 10-12, which means the high school has over 500 students. Not quite an all A school population if you ask me.

Were you making the same complaint in 1990 that you are now? The All A Classic has never changed its enrollment cutoffs since going statewide.

 

Funny that schools that size were universally considered "Class A" then but not now in the eyes of some.

LCA is sending both the girls and boys teams and the high schoolers do not have to report until after lunch on Wednesday and Thursday as their games are at 9 am each day. The middle schoolers are allowed to be signed out but all others must report to school.

Were you making the same complaint in 1990 that you are now? The All A Classic has never changed its enrollment cutoffs since going statewide.

 

Funny that schools that size were universally considered "Class A" then but not now in the eyes of some.

 

Here are the enrollment numbers from the Kentucky School Directory. I think one of these have to be incorrect (Moore) but it was the only school with that name.

 

Lexington Christian - 1,433 grades K-12

University Heights - 309 grades Pre-school - 12

Moore (this can not be correct) 1624 9-12

Owensboro Catholic - 507, grades 9-12

south Floyd - 357, grades 9-12

Mayfield - 400, grades 9-12

NCC - 490

Fairview - 395, grades 7-12

Somerset - 483

Beth Haven - 366 (K-12)

Bardstown - 497

Gallatin County - 438

Barbourville - 690 (P-12)

Russellville - 370

Lee Co. - 366

Brossart - 400

 

I would say for the most part these are "bigger" A schools. Wow University Heights is small. How are they always so good!! Do not see a whole lot of schools that are small. More like medium.

What you are forgetting whodey is that Brossart while maybe dominating the all A the last few years have graciously stepped aside in the district tournament and not hogged the show in March.

:laugh:

 

I have no interest in the "All A" and I love High School BB. There is only one Champion in Kentucky High School Basketball that is the team that wins the Sweet Sixteen,JMO. I graduated from an All A School (Bracken Co.)and to win the Championship doesn't mean a hill of beans to me. The only people who remember it down the road are the players and their families.

In the 14th region the All "A" means everything. Because they are so many small schools in the tourney. But just like sharp said "There is only one Champion in Kentucky High School Basketball that is the team that wins the Sweet Sixteen".

In the 14th region the All "A" means everything. Because they are so many small schools in the tourney. But just like sharp said "There is only one Champion in Kentucky High School Basketball that is the team that wins the Sweet Sixteen".

 

Unless Lee County wins the All "A" this year!!

What you are forgetting whodey is that Brossart while maybe dominating the all A the last few years have graciously stepped aside in the district tournament and not hogged the show in March.

 

You're so right Milford--I think they are so worn out from dominating their neighbors and other rivals the last several years, they're just spent by district time?? That and a pretty good Pendleton County team last year!! I like their chances of making the Fieldhouse this year--Your team??

What you are forgetting whodey is that Brossart while maybe dominating the all A the last few years have graciously stepped aside in the district tournament and not hogged the show in March.

 

True in there Bracken County loss, but PC beat them last year to knock them out.