Pretty impressive showing for Ballard, which has been in existence for less than 50 years.

 

If state runner up counted (5) Ballard would be the Buffalo Bills.

Great work on this! I really enjoyed reading through all the teams! Such a great walk through history.

Great work!! Nice to see OHS ranked #1, especially after the low football ranking . This takes a ton of time and research and I thank you for all your hard work!

Any plans for a baseball list?

Great Stuff! I know it is impossible to quantify but since you title this the greatest "programs" in history. Would you ever consider including Mr. Basketball's? I would think that would impact how great a program has been viewed over the years. Thanks again for putting this list together!

I looked through it and a lot of teams that never won state? I didn't see Simon Kenton ranked? They won state in 81! How in the world is Highlands ranked?

Its really simple. This is not a subjective ranking on who he thinks is best. Its simply mathematical. One point for district championship, two points for regional championships, three points for state tourney wins, and five for state championships. SK got their points for their 81 run, and that's about it. Highlands on the other hand has multiple regional titles. So, really, you don't have to ask, how is this school rated higher than that school, the answer is that's how the math worked out.

Opened in 1992. Not been around long enough to be on this list. And I know some folks consider South Laurel and Laurel County to be the same school but officially the aren't so I didn't combine their numbers.

I know you have to do it this way because officially, per the KHSAA records, they are two separate schools. But realistically Laurel County and South Laurel are the same school. The school got too big and a new school, North Laurel, was built. Laurel lost half their students to the new school. But Laurel County High didn't go anywhere. It simply added "South" to its name. They're still in the same building, use the same gym, wear the same school colors, and use Cardinals as their mascot name.

 

I've often wondered why the KHSAA considers it a separate school. And I've never understood why the county school officials felt the need to add "South" to the school's name.

I know you have to do it this way because officially, per the KHSAA records, they are two separate schools. But realistically Laurel County and South Laurel are the same school. The school got too big and a new school, North Laurel, was built. Laurel lost half their students to the new school. But Laurel County High didn't go anywhere. It simply added "South" to its name. They're still in the same building, use the same gym, wear the same school colors, and use Cardinals as their mascot name.

 

I've often wondered why the KHSAA considers it a separate school. And I've never understood why the county school officials felt the need to add "South" to the school's name.

 

Agreed. I've noticed, too, that more recent school splits have kept one school the same. For instance, Thomas Nelson opened but Nelson County remained the same.

Any plans for a baseball list?

 

Would be nice, but I'm not sure there's enough information. I have regional champions and all state tournament records, but nothing from district tournaments.

Agreed. I've noticed, too, that more recent school splits have kept one school the same. For instance, Thomas Nelson opened but Nelson County remained the same.

I think the KHSAA should simply recognize the Cardinals' athletic achievements as Laurel County/South Laurel and leave it as one. A simple slash mark will do the job. Then they can correct their records with the one school winning two state basketball championships instead of having it listed as two separate championships, which is nonsense.

This was awesome. Thank you

True. They have a Bell County address, I believe, but are in Clay County.

The new Red Bird school is near the Bell-Clay line on Route 66. I think it is located in Clay but I believe their old school that burned years ago was in Bell County. Also, the Leslie County line is close to the school as well.

I know one thing for certain, it's as deep into the mountains as it gets. As my late grandpa used to say, " It's in the head of nowhere, backed up against nothing."

Thanks for all the time and research to put these list together!!

 

Glad to see my Bulldogs listed in the top 10. Holmes has hands down the greatest tradition of winning in 9th region history.

Really appreciate the time and work that went into this list @gchs_uk9! My heart still say's my Tomcat's are number 1 on the list even though your formula puts them at #2, but I'll take it.

 

Ashland has dropped off quite a bit from what they once were, but it's nice to see them get some recognition for the winningest team in KY hoops. I could argue that you could have them and Owensboro at 1a and 1b but I won't. Really appreciate the work you've done on this. :thumb: