We have had numerous debates in the past about our playoff system that have taken many different directions. The KHSAA has tweaked the system, seemingly intentionally in some cases, to try and make it easier for the best 2 teams to meet in the finals. Most of the time though it isn't possible because of the geographic division of teams in our bracket system.

 

Please, this thread is NOT to debate the system or try to suggest something different. If you want to do that, start another thread.

 

This thread is simply to ask the following questions

 

1. In your opinion, did the best two teams meet in the finals in each (or any) class?

2. If not, which two teams do you think was the best 2?

 

Please vote in the poll for each class either YES or NO. I'd like to hear your thoughts on all 6 classes, but you can answer on a single class or a few classes if you prefer.

 

Here were the matchups/results

 

Class 1A - Pikeville 42, Beechwood 28

Class 2A - Mayfield 17, Newport Central Catholic 7

Class 3A - Belfry 43, Lexington Catholic 0

Class 4A - South Warren 36, Johnson Central 6

Class 5A - Bowling Green 21, Pulaski County 7

Class 6A - Male 41, Lafayette 14

6A No, Trinity and Male were the best 2 and I don't think that is even up for debate.

I voted yes for all classes except 2A and 6A.

 

In 2A I think DeSales was better than NCC and in 6A Trinity was better than Lafayette.

 

I was on the fence on 1A. If Kash Daniels had been healthy I think Paintsville would have been better than Beechwood, but as it played out, I think the 2 best teams left standing were the right ones.

 

I was also on the fence in 4A. Shelby Co and Johnson Central were a toss up, and both had the same result against South Warren, but I feel like the best 2 probably ended up in the finals.

For any NO votes, if you would, please post who you thought was the 2 best teams in the class. Thanks all.

I voted the same as you, yes on all but 2a and 6a.. I thought Trinity and St X were both better than Lafayette and Desales, OB Cath and CAL were all better than NCC, probably Danville, too, but, at least they did beat the Ads..

I really didn't think Lex Cath was the best team out of the west, but, they did beat them, so, hard to argue.. I had Central as the best in the west..

I voted no on 3A because I do not believe Lex Cath was truly the best team in the West.

 

6A speaks for itself. Lafayette was a decent team but not the best team out of the west, that was Central.

 

1A comes with an asterisk. I really believe the two best teams were both in the east, but I voted yes because I believe Beechwood was the best 1A team out of the west.

I doubt most have the actual knowledge to answer this about any other classes than the one that their team was in. That said I will only speak of 2A where I had extensive time spent investigating the field. Mayfield ran the Western side and certainly earned their state title so yes. NCC won the East but I think DeSales was better and I would lean toward saying CAL and OC were better or atleast the equal of NCC. I also felt that Danville outplayed NCC and was better everywhere but on the scoreboard but NCC did what NCC does always running the field until the title game where they have had their problems of late. The title game being a little tight gives NCC a strong argument though.

IMO the No's are:

1A Paintsville

2A Desales

6A Trinity

 

Yes on the other 3 classes.

I voted yes in all 6 classes and here's the reason why. The tourney is set up with 32 teams in each class across the state. Now, whether a team should be in the East or West is certainly up for debate. However, that is the way it's set up, and the team that won their way through their side was the best team on that given night they played. Now if they bracket was set up by a seeding method, 1 plays 32, 2 plays 31, etc. then if there was an upset, you could say the best team did not make the championship game.

 

May not be a good theory, but I think the best teams made it.

I voted yes in all 6 classes and here's the reason why. The tourney is set up with 32 teams in each class across the state. Now, whether a team should be in the East or West is certainly up for debate. However, that is the way it's set up, and the team that won their way through their side was the best team on that given night they played. Now if they bracket was set up by a seeding method, 1 plays 32, 2 plays 31, etc. then if there was an upset, you could say the best team did not make the championship game.

 

May not be a good theory, but I think the best teams made it.

If I am following your logic correctly, you think Lafayette was better than Trinity?

For any NO votes, if you would, please post who you thought was the 2 best teams in the class. Thanks all.

 

For instance, there are several who have voted NO in 3A and it is the closest one in the voting right now 13-8.

 

@Pikevillefan gave his reasoning above.

 

I'm interested in hearing from @PirateFan101 in particular since he is a Belfry guy.

 

I also don't think he would mind me asking directly, since we have discussed this issue earlier in the season, but I'd like to hear from @TIGER1988. He maintained all season that there were several teams in the west more deserving than whoever might come out of the east. I'm curious now about his thoughts.

Now that is a pretty poll!

Now that is a pretty poll!

Are you flirting?

I think Trinity and Scott Co. were better teams than Lafayette to face Male. But Lafayette won the games they needed to get there. They should have lost in the first round vs. Dunbar but somehow pulled it out and did it every week after that until they ran into Male