CAP, they just don't understand. It's a private tournament. It's not a KHSAA event. I am going to petition Major League Baseball and say that my select team should be included in the league. They aren't even Class A size. Well wait, I guess I could start another tournament and set it up how I want and invite who I want. No wait, that makes too much sense. Ha ha ha. So out of touch they are.

 

Answer the questions we ask...then you can bash all you want. You spend more time bashing than discussing. Questions too difficult to answer?

As if Stan himself was asking the public for recommendations on changes. lol. Not. It's a dead issue. Again, All A is doing just fine. No need for any changes. Take your daughter/son to a carnival. Help them win a prize. Then they can be on top of the world.

Here's an interview I conducted about the All-A based on all the arguments that have been posted:

 

Are we a "class" state or not for basketball?

no. no one wants classes

 

Then why do certain teams get a second shot at a state championship and state championship experience and some don't?

because they're small schools and they deserve their own special state tournament

 

Why?

because it gives small school a chance to compete

 

But hasn't it been shown that teams going to the All-A state round of 16 have no problems competing in their KHSAA Region?

no comment

 

And that the same schools are dominating the All-A over and over, rendering it just as un-competitive for many All-A schools as the KHSAA tournament?

no comment

 

I content that the All-A is just another invitational tournament and not a state championship.

You're wrong. Whoever wins is the All-A State Champion. The State Champion of the small schools. It's a great big event and the experience of a lifetime for many

 

So we have 2 State Championships?

No. I mean yes. no comment

 

And only small schools get a second chance because they can't compete, even though it's been shown they can.

correct

 

What do you tell all of the large schools who also can't compete, but don't have a second chance at a championship?

The All-A is fine. Leave it alone. It's not for you. You don't understand.

 

Is that a fair answer?

It is if your school dominates the All-A every year. We're not giving up our chance to double-dip

 

Now let me ask the questions - you know football has classes right?

Oh yes, the football argument. First, football has classes for safety reasons so someone doesn't get permanently injured. That's universal across the country. Second, each team still only has 1 chance at a State Championship, right? You have multiple class champions, but it's a different team in each class. Equal chances for all. No double-dipping.

Oh - I didn't think about that.

 

I think it's worth discussing what the All-A has become, what it was intended to be, what changes could be made to help the smallest of schools, and, the big picture, if it's fair to discriminate against larger schools by giving smaller schools a 2nd chance at a great experience.

I think you're an idiot with an axe to grind. Go start your own tournament for large schools and fix it so only your school qualifies so your daughter can be MVP.

 

What is interesting about your little survey is how you choose to put no comment like people didn't respond to your questions. Like your little response about the same teams winning the All A and then winning the region. Well I answered that one for you already, but you decided to leave that out since it goes against your long post.

 

You were able to state 6 total teams out of what 244 teams who participate in the All A to show that they can compete with the big boys and win their region. I believe someone said there were 244 teams who are in the All A. So if I am wrong on that please correct me because I haven't looked up the exact number just going by what someone posted. However if that number is right that means 6 teams out of 244, yeah 6 teams is your argument against it? Should I do the math for you on that? You listed 2% of the teams who are in the All A who are able to usually win the All A and then also have a chance to win their region. Ok if you want to add to that a little and go to well 16 or so teams usually win their regions every year. Well now that gets us to 6% of schools who participate in the All A are able to get to the round of 16 in the All A and at least be competitive against big schools even though they may not able able to win the KHSAA regional. So your whole argument of trying to prove that the All A shouldn't be around because the small schools have shown they can't complete is useless. Unless you think 2% of teams who can win the All A and possibly win their region proves that there shouldn't be an all A. Or if you think 6% of the teams that can make the All round of 16 and can compete some with the big boys then you really have nothing. As I have now shown you, you are taking a very very small percentage of teams and using it against a huge percentage of teams that it doesn't apply to.

Since HC and the 9th are the ones primarily mentioned on this thread... from most recent enrollment #'s posted via KHSAA of the 12 schools that play in that tournament...

 

Lloyd Memorial- 558

St. Henry- 511

Newport- 448

Holy Cross (Covington)- 431

Newport Catholic-393

Beechwood-368

Ludlow-274

Bellevue- 227

Dayton- 222

Covington Latin- 201

Villa- 176

Heritage- 45

 

There is a clear divide and correlation of success of the top 6 vs the bottom 6... Can anyone tell me the last time a school from the bottom 6 won the regional All A? How bout advanced to a final? Or even a semi final? When was the last time one of the bottom 6 did it in consecutive years? But it's for the small schools? Right?

Since HC and the 9th are the ones primarily mentioned on this thread... from most recent enrollment #'s posted via KHSAA of the 12 schools that play in that tournament...

 

Lloyd Memorial- 558

St. Henry- 511

Newport- 448

Holy Cross (Covington)- 431

Newport Catholic-393

Beechwood-368

Ludlow-274

Bellevue- 227

Dayton- 222

Covington Latin- 201

Villa- 176

Heritage- 45

 

There is a clear divide and correlation of success of the top 6 vs the bottom 6... Can anyone tell me the last time a school from the bottom 6 won the regional All A? How bout advanced to a final? Or even a semi final? When was the last time one of the bottom 6 did it in consecutive years? But it's for the small schools? Right?

 

Also, to give a better representation and help everyone comprehend it better and see that it's only the 12 smaller schools in the tournament as it should be, here are some of the enrollments of the larger schools NOT in the tournament for the 9th Region:

 

Ryle - 1,635

Campbell County - 1,451

Dixie Heights - 1,448

Boone County - 1,368

 

So as you can see, only the schools eligible for the All A are still just about 1/3 the size of the larger schools. So, your theory holds no water. Just start another tournament and call is the Super A and limit enrollment to 300 max. Leave this All A alone.

 

That is all.

 

Thanks.

CAP, they just don't understand. It's a private tournament. It's not a KHSAA event.

 

So you are saying it's not the State Championship for small schools. The winner cannot call themselves "State Champion". Teams don't build their season schedule around it. It's not specifically designed to match the atmosphere and mimic the process of the KHSAA Sweet 16. It receives no extra media attention. It's just a plain old invitational tournament with no special atmosphere or meaning. There are dozens like it around the state.

So you are saying it's not the State Championship for small schools. The winner cannot call themselves "State Champion". Teams don't build their season schedule around it. It's not specifically designed to match the atmosphere and mimic the process of the KHSAA Sweet 16. It receives no extra media attention. It's just a plain old invitational tournament with no special atmosphere or meaning. There are dozens like it around the state.

 

You are partly correct. You can start your "Middling Classic" and call it the "Kentucky Middling Classic" and invite teams from across the state who meet whatever criteria you decide. Or call it the "Kentucky Little Guys Tournament". When it's over, you will hand out trophies that read: "Kentucky Middling Classic Champions" and "Kentucky Little Guys Tournament Champion." With a bit of luck and hope, your tournament may grow to be as well known as the All A Classic. Who knows, student-athletes may also start looking forward to it.

Also, to give a better representation and help everyone comprehend it better and see that it's only the 12 smaller schools in the tournament as it should be, here are some of the enrollments of the larger schools NOT in the tournament for the 9th Region:

 

Ryle - 1,635

Campbell County - 1,451

Dixie Heights - 1,448

Boone County - 1,368

 

So as you can see, only the schools eligible for the All A are still just about 1/3 the size of the larger schools. So, your theory holds no water. Just start another tournament and call is the Super A and limit enrollment to 300 max. Leave this All A alone.

 

That is all.

 

Thanks.

 

Um... No... The numbers I posted are 4 grade totals. You can find them here (http://www.khsaa.org/reports/enrollments/20112012schoolenrollmenttotalsbyalpha.pdf)

 

Secondly, the big school enrollment numbers have nothing to do with this. You are quick to point out that the schools are (only) 1/3rd the size of the big schools... But how about the ones further down the list that are 1/10th the size of the big schools. Or even 1/3rd the size of the 'big' A schools.

 

Look at surrounding states that actually do class basketball.... the cutoff for small school class is almost universally around the 280-300 range... Right where this one should be.

 

Again, if we're calling it the All A Classic, lets make it for the truly small schools.

Answer the questions we ask...then you can bash all you want. You spend more time bashing than discussing. Questions too difficult to answer?

 

No, you just want to change something that you have no skin in the game with it. Bashing really i guess you don't read what you say or hold on you just spin to make you look good in everyones eyes, you bash on one hand and compliment on the other. You use a nice choice of words, i can read between the lines.

 

Again you if you want it change so you can say you helped make it better go see Stan but you don't comment on that do you?

So you are saying it's not the State Championship for small schools. The winner cannot call themselves "State Champion". Teams don't build their season schedule around it. It's not specifically designed to match the atmosphere and mimic the process of the KHSAA Sweet 16. It receives no extra media attention. It's just a plain old invitational tournament with no special atmosphere or meaning. There are dozens like it around the state.

 

Should I make a "no comment" statement for you in response to 2% of teams in the All A are able to win the All and possibly win their region? And 6% of teams are able to make it to the round of 16 of the All A and could compete with the big boys sometime? Should I just say your response to that is no comment like you did for your long survey post?

You are partly correct. You can start your "Middling Classic" and call it the "Kentucky Middling Classic" and invite teams from across the state who meet whatever criteria you decide. Or call it the "Kentucky Little Guys Tournament". When it's over, you will hand out trophies that read: "Kentucky Middling Classic Champions" and "Kentucky Little Guys Tournament Champion." With a bit of luck and hope, your tournament may grow to be as well known as the All A Classic. Who knows, student-athletes may also start looking forward to it.

 

Why do you have to insult the smaller schools with name calling? You know, at one point, the entire idea of the All A Classic was probably laughed at as the Kentucky Little Guys Tournament Championship or whatever else you say about it by the teams left out. Look what became of it. Now, it's time to adapt to serve it's originally and still stated intended purpose. This thing is called the All A Classic but you don't get All A teams. You don't see advertisements for NCAA games when NAIA teams are playing....

Since HC and the 9th are the ones primarily mentioned on this thread... from most recent enrollment #'s posted via KHSAA of the 12 schools that play in that tournament...

 

Lloyd Memorial- 558

St. Henry- 511

Newport- 448

Holy Cross (Covington)- 431

Newport Catholic-393

Beechwood-368

Ludlow-274

Bellevue- 227

Dayton- 222

Covington Latin- 201

Villa- 176

Heritage- 45

 

There is a clear divide and correlation of success of the top 6 vs the bottom 6... Can anyone tell me the last time a school from the bottom 6 won the regional All A? How bout advanced to a final? Or even a semi final? When was the last time one of the bottom 6 did it in consecutive years? But it's for the small schools? Right?

 

To answer your question I know Ludlow in the early 2000's had success in the All A tournament and made the finals in 2004 and may have made it one other year during that time frame to. Which I can also guarantee you that even though they didn't win the All A the fact that they had a chance to play for going down state to try to prove they were one of the best small schools in the state did mean something. Considering they were in the same district at the same time as CovCath, Holy Cross and Holmes. Two private schools, and a public school in Holmes who is always one of the best basketball programs. A lot of small schools have tough districts like that to play in and may have a very good team but never have a chance to fairly compete because of the programs they have to play or the numbers those schools have to choose from. So yes the All A does present a chance for teams to have a chance to make a run at something that is set up exactly the same as the KHSAA State Tournament. Which as I have stated only 2% of the teams who compete in the All A usually have a chance to win the All A and then possibly win their region too. So 2% should not punish the whole like some of you all want to do.

Why do you have to insult the smaller schools with name calling? You know, at one point, the entire idea of the All A Classic was probably laughed at as the Kentucky Little Guys Tournament Championship or whatever else you say about it by the teams left out. Look what became of it. Now, it's time to adapt to serve it's originally and still stated intended purpose. This thing is called the All A Classic but you don't get All A teams. You don't see advertisements for NCAA games when NAIA teams are playing....

 

Get over it. The name calling was for the tournament you all are starting up yourselves ... because the All A is staying as is baby! Deal with it.

To answer your question I know Ludlow in the early 2000's had success in the All A tournament and made the finals in 2004 and may have made it one other year during that time frame to. Which I can also guarantee you that even though they didn't win the All A the fact that they had a chance to play for going down state to try to prove they were one of the best small schools in the state did mean something. Considering they were in the same district at the same time as CovCath, Holy Cross and Holmes. Two private schools, and a public school in Holmes who is always one of the best basketball programs. A lot of small schools have tough districts like that to play in and may have a very good team but never have a chance to fairly compete because of the programs they have to play or the numbers those schools have to choose from. So yes the All A does present a chance for teams to have a chance to make a run at something that is set up exactly the same as the KHSAA State Tournament. Which as I have stated only 2% of the teams who compete in the All A usually have a chance to win the All A and then possibly win their region too. So 2% should not punish the whole like some of you all want to do.

 

Do you think Ludlow would like to have that opportunity to compete like that more than once every 10-15 years?

From 2008: Sounds like Stan is happy.

 

RICHMOND, Ky. - When Stan Steidel gets a chance, he likes to sneak up to the last row. There, perched high atop the 6,500-seat McBrayer Arena at Eastern Kentucky University, he can appreciate what his little tournament for the little guys has become.

Now in its 25th year, the Touchstone Energy All "A" Classic, has become part of Kentucky's basketball culture. What the former basketball coach at Dayton High School helped start in 1980, an eight-team tournament for Northern Kentucky's small schools, is now a 244-team statewide tournament. Organizers hope to draw 50,000 fans to the weeklong event.

 

"This wasn't even a consideration," Steidel, now the president of the event's committee said. "We were just trying to do something quality for small schools in Northern Kentucky. Once we met people from around the state, we said, 'Gee, wonder if we could do this on a bigger stage?'"

 

In 1990, the tournament moved to Lexington and went statewide. Steidel and his board members were given a police escort to the venue.

 

Considering there are around 272 high schools in the Commonwealth, this number is false, unless they are counting both boys and girls teams. The year Holy Cross Boys won the All "A" basketball title, there were 125 participant schools (less than half).

Edited March 13, 201511 yr by statman