I do think the Sweet 16 is the MOTHER of all touneys but it has lost it's luster a little. I think they need to do something to spice it up a little.

Lets not forget the King of the Bluegrass, which was down this year, but IMO has been the most consistent tourney in the state over the past decade.(including the sweet 16)

 

Agreed, Mr. No Name. I left it out (unintentionally), and I shouldn't have. I've been to it three different times, and each trip I saw some excellent talent, and some very solid teams.

 

Frances

I also believe that the Sweet 16 is the Granddaddy of all tournaments in the State and has some good meaning, but definetly has lost some luster in the past few years.

 

Motels are extremely overpriced.

Parking is definetly overpriced.

Lower Arena tickets have came almost impossible to get off of a scalper at a decent price, due to they were all working together this year.

Talent level has became annoying in the State of Ky. I seen charge after charge called during this tournament. No one will shoot a short jumper anymore. They all want to fly in the paint and run over someone.

 

This will probably be my last year, and I have attended since 1984. Just too expensive. I went to the SEC Tournament the last 2 years cheaper than I went to the KHSAA Tournament, that is sad.

The sudden death format of regional and Sweet 16 tournaments make it uncomparable. I personally did not think this year's Sweet 16 was a well played tournament, but I am sure the folks from Jeffersontown would disagree.

 

Something about the "one loss and done" format in March.

Agree with you 100 percent on this one Mustang....

 

I went to both Wednesday sessions of the sweet 16 last year, and after I got done paying 9 bucks for all day parking, 30 bucks for my tickets, and 6 bucks for a meal at A&W, I felt cheated in a way, and money was the main reason I didn't make it up Wednesday for the Sweet Sixteen this year....

 

I have went to the 5/3rd the last two years, and I find it some of the best basketball played during the year. Get to meet up with some old friends (Brandon Salsman came to mind this year) and for 5 bucks a day, it's a steal....

 

I also recommend the Kentucky Bank Shootout to basketball fans. The shootout is at Bourbon Co. High School, and Oak Hill has come the last two years. If you like watching some of the top teams from out of state, (mainly the last session) or some of the best in state teams (the first two sessions), it's worth the seven buck admission.....

 

The 5/3rd cost $7 a day. But thats still a good bargain for all day

I attended both the Fifth/Third and the Sweet Sixteen this season, and I have to say that while I love the Sweet Sixteen "The basketball" was better at the Fifth/Third.

 

But what is so...........much better, is the show that is the Sweet Sixteen, that doesn't even exist at the Fifth/Third. The Sweet Sixteen is the show, the people, Rupp, the families with Grandma and Granddad telling little Suzie about how it was played at Freedom Hall when they were in High School, the CovCath Crazies, the Cheerleaders, meeting friends that you haven't seen in years, the Kids acting shocked when you tell them about what you did when you and a bunch of friends went to the Sweet Sixteen in your high schools day's (dad you didn't did you?) the memories of past visits, having your daughter who missed a day of school give you a kiss on the cheek telling you thanks for taking me and I had a ball and knowing full well with her going off to college in another year, this might be the last time at Rupp with her all alone.:cry: Now those things and more you find at the Sweet Sixteen, and while you find great BBall at Fifth/Third you also sit in an empty gym with little or no life in it at all.. Give me the Sweet Sixteen hands down......and like the CovCath Crazies no other Basketball Tournament in Kentucky or for that matter in the USA is even close to it......

The 5/3rd cost $7 a day. But thats still a good bargain for all day

Thats not all day its split into 2 sessions.

There are without a doubt better teams at a 5/3 or other tournaments but nothing can compare to the excitement of the kids that go and yell for their teams and will remember that their whole life. I am sure these kids will not have the same memories of a 5/3 or other tourney because they probably dont even go watch these games unless it is close to them.

 

The good thing is that tourneys have a place that is very important to the schools that are fortunate to participate.....

It is great to be the champion of any tournament and I think everyone would agree. But regardless of which tournament showcases the best talent and most of the time it's not the sweet-16, Every team in the state dreams of being known as the state champions and taking their place in the history of high school basketball.

well the sweet sixteen is the state championship, but what kills me is lex cath beat 8 of the teams that were in the sweet sixteen. it just seems to me that the best teams arent in the tourney. although it has to be setup this way it just seems wierd and wrong like this.

The 5/3rd cost $7 a day. But thats still a good bargain for all day

 

Pretty sure the 5/3rd only cost me 5 bucks when I went up to Catholic this year, I could be wrong. I do know it's for all day...

 

I think the Kentucky Bank Shootout may cost 7 bucks a session, but I get in for free....

 

Nothing against the state tournament, but it's not worth the price.......

well the sweet sixteen is the state championship, but what kills me is lex cath beat 8 of the teams that were in the sweet sixteen. it just seems to me that the best teams arent in the tourney. although it has to be setup this way it just seems wierd and wrong like this.

 

If the best teams arent in the tourney then the only ppl that can be held responsible are those supposed "best teams."

 

Teams that are supposedly "better" or "the best" should beat the teams that are winning the regions and getting to the Sweet 16, then they will make it to the tourney and it will be a better tournament.

 

I mean think about it. What teams at the tourney this year werent that good? You had 16 teams.

 

Russell

Graves

South Laurel

John Hardin

Johnson Central

Jefferson Town

Shelby Co

Christian Co

Warren Central

Mason Co

Apollo

Cov Cath

Hazard

Madison Central

Boyle Co

PRP

 

Out of the 16.....7 are ranked in the BGP top 20.

 

That doesnt include Madison Central, who had to win a region 11 that included 4 BGP top 20 teams (Henry Clay, Scott Co, Lex Cath, Bryan Station), and was a top 25 team themselves at seasons end according to several other rankings.

 

That doesnt include a tough Mason Co team, who had to win a region that included BGP top 20 team Pendelton Co.

 

That doesnt include Apollo and Graves, two very solid teams that, although not ranked, proved they deserved to be there and could play with the best.

 

So technically, according to the rankings, you had 8 top 25 teams, 3 solid ball clubs that could play with anyone, and 5 weaker teams.

 

The only teams that one could consider weak, or that had an easy road or weak region would be Hazard, Johnson Central, Russell, Christian Co, and Boyle. I would say Graves, but we saw what Graves could do, and you have to give Boyle some credit. They were a team that was hot at the time, just not athletic enough to compete on that big a stage.

 

My point is this. The teams that get to the region may not be the most talented teams in the state, but they are the teams that are playing the best basketball at the time (except for the traditional weak regions, which is only 4 or 5 out of 16). It may be a boring brand of basketball that doesnt include high flying dunks, fast breaks, and 80 points, but it is winning basketball.

Mustang I am definitely with you on this one. The 5th 3rd is the far superior product. I have heard rumors that SK is playing in both the KOB and the 5th 3rd this next season. I have never ventured to Louisville for any of their tournaments, so I can't comment about them accurately. I definitely think that the Sweet Sixteen is way over rated and over priced!!

 

I say this because I usually have at least 5 or 6 boys with me. theSweet Sixteen easily costs me 300.00 to 400.00 each day. I have see Elton Brand and O.J. Mayo and Taureen Green and Rajon Rondo play at Lexcath.

 

I say the 5th 3rd is definitely my favorite!!

Lets not forget the King of the Bluegrass, which was down this year, but IMO has been the most consistent tourney in the state over the past decade.(including the sweet 16)

There is no way that tournament has been more competitive than the 5th 3rd year in year out!!

Mustang...

 

Something tells me when Brossart makes it down to Rupp again that you'll change your mind. Sure, the invitational tournaments have some of the biggest programs in the state, but there is something special about Rupp that no other tournament in the state can match.

 

And when your team is playing in it (or had just played in it) it's a whole new feeling...