Good draw for my Tigers.

The Bullitt schools wanting out of the region is not just about basketball. It concerns all sports and the lack of revenue generated from gate money when a majority of their games have to be played against reginal opponents. The AD's and coaches of all sports are looked at as outsiders and get out voted on just about everything. For North and Central it has actually improved their chances in every sport to win district championships, but it is not an even playing field when you get deep into the region with open enrollment in Jefferson County.

 

I can understand those reasons, but where or what region would work better? 5th or 8th would be the obvious placement and the same would be true when a majority of their games still played against regional opponents wouldn't it? Not sure I followed that point you were making, but it almost always get down to money somehow.

 

As to the level playing field with open enrollment it cuts many ways. In some ways it is almost needed when you have the private schools so competitive i.e. Trinity & St. X (especially in football). I would agree that the traditional powers who draw kids from the programs they have built generally stay strong. That is why representing the 6th and in particular 7th region at Rupp is an outstanding accomplishment. Year in and year out there are very few regions in the state that have the overall strength of teams these regions do.

 

It is interesting debate that if the (3) Bullitt County schools were to be reassigned, where would they go and who would trade places if they were to be replaced.

Open enrollment in Jefferson County will always ensure that a good number of schools in that county will rarely be competitive in regional sports due to having their athletes siphoned off by the usual power schools. Open enrollment can be manipulated for an advantage in sports. That's why it's only a select group of schools that are usually at the top in most of the sports in the county, while others are seldom in the discussion.

Open enrollment in Jefferson County will always ensure that a good number of schools in that county will rarely be competitive in regional sports due to having their athletes siphoned off by the usual power schools. Open enrollment can be manipulated for an advantage in sports. That's why it's only a select group of schools that are usually at the top in most of the sports in the county, while others are seldom in the discussion.

 

Agree 100% and when an upstart that traditionally does not have that built in advantage makes a run I really find myself pulling for them. Waggener sort of fits that mold in the 7th and to a degree Fern Creek the same in the 6th. I do not think either of those teams have ever been to Rupp and truth be told they would not likely make it this year with both being pretty young. But they have shots in upcoming years if they continue to improve.

Why do the 6th and 7th regions have to be grouped together?

 

Excellent question. Never understood this.

I can understand those reasons, but where or what region would work better? 5th or 8th would be the obvious placement and the same would be true when a majority of their games still played against regional opponents wouldn't it? Not sure I followed that point you were making, but it almost always get down to money somehow.

 

As to the level playing field with open enrollment it cuts many ways. In some ways it is almost needed when you have the private schools so competitive i.e. Trinity & St. X (especially in football). I would agree that the traditional powers who draw kids from the programs they have built generally stay strong. That is why representing the 6th and in particular 7th region at Rupp is an outstanding accomplishment. Year in and year out there are very few regions in the state that have the overall strength of teams these regions do.

 

It is interesting debate that if the (3) Bullitt County schools were to be reassigned, where would they go and who would trade places if they were to be replaced.

 

It is about money because Bullitt County sports are not given an athletic budget, so the only way they can function is from gate revenue and fundraising. Buses and officials also have to be paid by each individual sport. Bullitt was in the 8th region, had no complaints and never wanted to change.

 

If Bullitt County had open enrollment and a majority of the athletes chose to attend one school, the 6th region would be highly upset.