Watching SK from the outside, it looks to me that a few years ago when they went to finals with a very talented team and favorable playoff match ups, the coach became a believer that it was possible to be successful at SK, before that I am not so sure. The following year they went to play at X in the playoffs and gave them all they wanted. Once him and the other coaches looked around and saw that they could compete for titles, if they made some changes looking long term. So, after the year Chad Lawrence graduated, they decided it was time to commit to building a program and not just try to have the best team year to year based on what was returning, to do that they fully committed to two platoon. Now, going this route costs them some wins and might have caused some doubt if they were really doing the right thing but to their credit they stuck to it and after the first year the ball got rolling and it started to feed on itself and more kids starting to come out to play. Obviously having an increase in population helps, but if you are not showing results on the field and having a lot of kids seeing playing time on Friday night, kids are not going to come out and play.

 

 

This is my theory, not sure if it is right or not.

 

I think you're definitely on to something.

Do kids care who won 10 years ago, when they were in elementary? It may mean something to beat the recent State Champs/State Runners Up, but had NCC not had those on their RECENT resume, would the SK PLAYERS care at all??

You don't think kids in a system grow up idolizing the players they watch? Kids at perennial powers don't grow up wanting to be like the stars on their high school team? I guess my experience is different then yours, and the fans of the super strong programs on here have said "kids grow up wanting to play for their team".

Ran into a bunch of younger kids, 3rd-4th graders and they asked if I knew whether Powell would play for SK Friday vs. NewCath. They are watching. Programs are foundational and it starts with a winning culture that everyone can share.

It can not be overemphasised how important the population boom and demographic swing was in Independence. To build a winning program, you have to have people willing to buy in and commit from the youth level on up and that takes a community. People moved into Independence from Northern Kenton County and even Campbell County who valued sports. As a result, South Kenton and the middle schools have had big numbers and won games. More players, better coached players, and a varsity coach who is very astute at creating mismatches for his improved players add up to success. SK always had talent, they just never had good teams. Now they have kids who know how to win and a coach who is showing what he can do with good talent. They should be commended. It raises the level of all of NKY. Hopefully they can fill the power vaccuum that Boone County's demise left. Compete with and push Trinity, X, and Male. Make the other NKY 6A teams invest in their programs. I personally like it.

[TABLE=width: 500]

[TR]

[TD]Year[/TD]

[TD]Record[/TD]

[TD]Where Season Ended[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2014[/TD]

[TD]3-0[/TD]

[TD]Unknown [/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2013[/TD]

[TD]12-1[/TD]

[TD]Regional Championship[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2012[/TD]

[TD]9-4[/TD]

[TD]Regional Championship[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2011[/TD]

[TD]2-9[/TD]

[TD]First Round of Playoffs[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2010[/TD]

[TD]10-3[/TD]

[TD]Regional Championship[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2009[/TD]

[TD]11-2[/TD]

[TD]Regional Championship[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2008[/TD]

[TD]10-5[/TD]

[TD]State Runner-Up[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Total[/TD]

[TD]57-24[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

2007.....6-5 ..... 0 district wins, 1st round loss to Ryle 44-27

2006.....6-4 ..... 0 district wins, no playoffs

 

Below is under the 4 class system

2005.....6-5 ..... 1st round loss to Trinity 52-0

2004.....2-8 ..... no playoffs

2003.....1-9 ..... no playoffs

2002.....3-7 ..... no playoffs

2001.....5-6 ..... 1st round loss to Trinity 60-0

2000.....6-4 ..... no playoffs

 

Total ...80-63

 

That is the complete record for Marskberry at Simon Kenton.

2007.....6-5 ..... 0 district wins, 1st round loss to Ryle 44-27

2006.....6-4 ..... 0 district wins, no playoffs

 

Below is under the 4 class system

2005.....6-5 ..... 1st round loss to Trinity 52-0

2004.....2-8 ..... no playoffs

2003.....1-9 ..... no playoffs

2002.....3-7 ..... no playoffs

2001.....5-6 ..... 1st round loss to Trinity 60-0

2000.....6-4 ..... no playoffs

 

Total ...80-63

 

That is the complete record for Marskberry at Simon Kenton.

 

Which, I believe, justifies my comments about where the program came from, where it is now, and where it is going.

 

Thanks for posting VOR.

Also, want to add that upgrading the facilities at the same time as making their playoff run helped a lot.

Also, want to add that upgrading the facilities at the same time as making their playoff run helped a lot.

 

I do have to give it up to Kenton County on facilities. They are all extremely nice. Wish the Boone County Board would invest a little into their athletics.

I understand how Independent Schools work, but you said: "Highlands does not have to answer to a public school board and administration. There is no district executive that tells you when you can practice, where and when you can travel and they don't tell what you can do with the money your program raised."

 

That is incorrect, Highlands does have a public school board and administration, just like every other public school.

 

And they are told when they cannot practice I.e. Weds after Six PM No practice for any HHS sports teams