It doesn't bother me at all. I'm happy Cordia won honestly. But, I can't see any kids from Cordia on the roster...at least not in the regular rotation. Am I wrong about this?

 

Again, it doesn't upset me in the slightest but I understand why some other schools might be frustrated.

 

Would it bother you if your son played in the 14th region and he was cheated out of playing in Rupp Arena by a hand picked all star team from NY,NJ, Canada, Africa or where ever?

Would it bother you if your son played in the 14th region and he was cheated out of playing in Rupp Arena by a hand picked all star team from NY,NJ, Canada, Africa or where ever?

 

That's a fair question and like I said...I can understand why some would be frustrated.

My school lost the championship game in 1990 to University Heights. They had a 6'7 D-1 signee from Spain and two starters from England. I don't remember this much ruckus being said by anyone back then. Our boys battled them the best we could but they won in the end. But we were happy that we got the runner-up trophy. No complaints.

In 2000 we lost in the semifinals to Highview Baptist who started a big kid from New Zealand. No complaints from our school or fans that I can recall.

Cordia is by far not the first school to use players not from their area or school district. It's been going on in many places, some more than others, probably since the '40s or '50s. There's players on teams all over the state this year that moved into schools specifically to play basketball or other sports. Some came on their own and some were persuaded. We all know that. And before anyone tells me if I know of any violations report it to the KHSAA, well I don't know of any. But I've been around long enough that I know reality.

 

Cordia was penalized by the KHSAA for their violations, pretty severe at first but later amended to allow their team to play some games during the season, just not KHSAA post season games. These All A games were not post season tournament games. Their players and team were all eligible to play. I don't know what their game limitations are but I would assume they're close to meeting their allowed quota. Someone mentioned they had a game scheduled with Mercer but I would have to think that their limit (I think it's 15 games) is close to fulfilled.

 

Congratulations from me to these young men on winning their state championship. I hope it was a great experience for them that they will long remember.

 

I just checked their schedule and they are 14-6 so far this season with 4 games left on their schedule. I remember the game restriction last year. Not sure what it is this season. I'm guessing 25 games is the restriction this season.

I'm just saying...1-2 transfers...there might be a few jokes but no one thinks twice about it.

 

9-10 transfers and folks are going to be up in arms.

 

I think that's where the hard feelings originate.

 

Like I say, I like Coach Rhodes and always enjoy watching his teams play, but I understand why some would question things.

 

You sure? I still hear complaints about Jeremiah Bell and he's in college now. :lol2:

 

And like you I do understand the frustration. I just think the frustration lies more from losing to the team with all of the transfers. No one cares when the transfers don't win. When Team Homegrown beats Team Transfers it is "we were the better team." When Team Transfer wins it becomes "well they had to cheat to beat us." I get it, but the narrative should stay the same regardless of the outcome.

Would it bother you if your son played in the 14th region and he was cheated out of playing in Rupp Arena by a hand picked all star team from NY,NJ, Canada, Africa or where ever?

 

My son was in a similar situation his senior year in high school. Lost to a team that had multiple transfers in the 12th region finals. It was a memorable year regardless and I'll always treasure every minute of that season. It was a tough loss especially it being his last game in high school but I don't have any hard feelings towards that school.

You sure? I still hear complaints about Jeremiah Bell and he's in college now. :lol2:

 

And like you I do understand the frustration. I just think the frustration lies more from losing to the team with all of the transfers. No one cares when the transfers don't win. When Team Homegrown beats Team Transfers it is "we were the better team." When Team Transfer wins it becomes "well they had to cheat to beat us." I get it, but the narrative should stay the same regardless of the outcome.

 

Well said, the bottom line is why should it matter if it is 9 kids who showed up out of nowhere or 1-2. Is 3 the cutoff or is it 4? I have no issue with the transfer issues or even recruiting since it goes on in many places.

My only concern or issue is if there is a kid at any school who is playing that technically should not because they are using false credentials. Whether that is falsified grades, credits, or even age that in my book would be the impetus for crying foul. If the kids are all eligible then nobody should really care.

My son was in a similar situation his senior year in high school. Lost to a team that had multiple transfers in the 12th region finals. It was a memorable year regardless and I'll always treasure every minute of that season. It was a tough loss especially it being his last game in high school but I don't have any hard feelings towards that school.

 

I'll say that you are in the minority.

I'll say that you are in the minority.

 

I think this is true. They aren't well liked in these parts. :lol2:

Edited February 1, 201610 yr by PurplePride92

The thing that's actually getting lost for me here is that the cheating pays off in the end. They recruited and broke rules like mid 80's SMU, got caught, got FULLY punished by the worst the KHSAA has to offer and here they are winning the all A about 18 months later. Cordia doesn't seem to be the problem here. Either the KHSAA is the problem or everyone else is the problem for not pushing the law to the absolute limit and playing by the same rules as Cordia.

The thing that's actually getting lost for me here is that the cheating pays off in the end. They recruited and broke rules like mid 80's SMU, got caught, got FULLY punished by the worst the KHSAA has to offer and here they are winning the all A about 18 months later. Cordia doesn't seem to be the problem here. Either the KHSAA is the problem or everyone else is the problem for not pushing the law to the absolute limit and playing by the same rules as Cordia.

 

Public schools have been saying this for years.

The thing that's actually getting lost for me here is that the cheating pays off in the end. They recruited and broke rules like mid 80's SMU, got caught, got FULLY punished by the worst the KHSAA has to offer and here they are winning the all A about 18 months later. Cordia doesn't seem to be the problem here. Either the KHSAA is the problem or everyone else is the problem for not pushing the law to the absolute limit and playing by the same rules as Cordia.

 

Imagine if we start having charter schools............... (legalized cheating)

They have a young man from Africa (the exchange program rule that is now not being enforced) and they have a young man who is from Germany I believe. Both starters. Both very good. no disrespect to the young men, I'm sure they had no idea they were a part of rule breaking. it is my understanding that their parents aren't here. (which would violate the exchange student program)

 

I realize they may have figured out a way to get them eligible, but I can't imagine how they pulled it off with the KHSAA sniffing around.

 

That's the issue we have now in Kentucky with high school athletics. To say it's the private or independent schools only is laughable. Kids are transferring and schools are bending and breaking the rules left and right. That's why I have a hard time being so tough on cordia. The four time defending region 2 champion was able to somehow magically get the best senior from Christian County as well as other players for 3 consecutive years. They picked up another transfer this year who is now starting.

 

My point is, to act as if Cordia is the only one doing this is disingenuous.

 

One way to help solve some of this is to get rid of the ridiculous rule that requires a person to allow their name to be taken public if they report the violation. Not allowing an anonymous complaint is crazy. You basically ensure that nobody from violating schools will ever report anything. Think about it. You're a guidance counselor told by the principal to change an address or forge a document. You call the khsaa to report this. They say you can't report it unless you submit the complaint in writing and put your name on it.

 

that's why 95% of this stuff, even the BLATANTLY obvious stuff doesn't go reported or investigated.

 

sorry for the rant, and I don't mean to cast stones, I'm just trying to explain why it's hard to single cordia out when you have a BUNCH of top programs in the state bending and breaking rules with no consequence.

Imagine if we start having charter schools............... (legalized cheating)

 

Doesn't matter what you do...there will always be transfers.

Doesn't matter what you do...there will always be transfers.

 

Exactly... As I said above, the "must give your name in order to report a violation" gives the KHSAA the out they need to keep from having to investigate 95% of the stuff that goes on.

The thing that's actually getting lost for me here is that the cheating pays off in the end. They recruited and broke rules like mid 80's SMU, got caught, got FULLY punished by the worst the KHSAA has to offer and here they are winning the all A about 18 months later. Cordia doesn't seem to be the problem here. Either the KHSAA is the problem or everyone else is the problem for not pushing the law to the absolute limit and playing by the same rules as Cordia.

 

How is it paying off? They won't play a lick in the postseason and that is the best part and the real tournament. Not the All A. Plus their inclusion in the All A Classic is more on the All A committee and not the KHSAA.