Coach Hinson of Bracken County tweeted out this bracket yesterday. Polar Bears are again competing in the AIT:

 

Interesting mix of teams. Should make for some entertaining games.

AIT used to be one of the premier events in KY HS basketball. I'd like to see it grow and get back to that.

Back when Nixon was in office.

Yes was an outstanding tourney, I remember going down to Ashland with some very good Holmes teams. At one time was probably the premier tourney in Ky.

Love the gym and area

Yes you could always count on two tournaments really being the top tier - AIT and Famous Recipe............

Yes you could always count on two tournaments really being the top tier - AIT and Famous Recipe............

 

Where is/was the Famous Recipe tournament?

Where is/was the Famous Recipe tournament?

 

The Famous Recipe Tournament was a 16 team boys and 16 team girls tournament run from 1983 - 1999. It normally featured 8 northern ky. teams and 8 top level teams from around the state. It was a huge tournament and really brought higher level teams from the state to Northern KY. Mel Webster ran the tournament and I am sure he or Mustang could provide more historical context to it.

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Heavy financial backer was Tom Cummins who early in the tourney owned all the NKy Famous Recipe stores, and later added all the Cincinnati area stores. Great guy and longtime distance runner well into his 70's.

Good luck Pioneers!

The Famous Recipe Tournament was a 16 team boys and 16 team girls tournament run from 1983 - 1999. It normally featured 8 northern ky. teams and 8 top level teams from around the state. It was a huge tournament and really brought higher level teams from the state to Northern KY. Mel Webster ran the tournament and I am sure he or Mustang could provide more historical context to it.

 

The Famous Classic Tournament began in 1983 with a Boys Tournament won by Tates Creek. The Girls joined in in 1986. Each team in each tournament was guaranteed three games. The girls tournament ran one week and the boys the next. NKU or Thomas More College hosted the finals. Melvin was the grand master. He produced a wonderful program that highlighted each of the teams and a records/history of the event. There was a tip-off luncheon or dinner, and a Suite sized hospitality room at the Drawbridge Inn, back when the Drawbridge was the place to be.

 

It was held at various sites throughout Northern Kentucky and did bring in some top flight talent. I was the Brossart Girls Bakstball coach during that era and enjoyed competing with teams that we had only heard about.

 

There was a "Famous Stars of the Week" program that was run in conjunction with the tournament, and a banquet for the honorees at the end of the season. There were a myriad of scholarships awarded, and a Famous Star of the Year named for both boys and girls. Mel tells great stories about what it took to attract some of the high profile speakers to the event. Al McGuire spoke in 1989 and Rick Pitino later. I remember Rich Karlis giving a nice talk (UC grad-Denver Broncos kicker).

 

It was truly an event that was "all about the kids."

Looks to be a good tournament! Please provide updates if possible.

Where is/was the Famous Recipe tournament?

 

The Famous Recipe Tourney had to fold in the early 90's due to Financial issues for Famous Recipe. It was a great tourney. Famous Recipes owner was upset that no one from Northern Ky. Ever got invited to the LIT in Louisville so he started his own Some legendary stories from the hospitality room lol. Used to love to hear guys like Bobby Keith others tell stories. Even had one coach get a marriage arranged there one night. Still married today lol