Found this article and thought I'd share.

 

Edmonson Co. in 1976 is the team that saved Kentucky's Sweet Sixteen | Lexington Herald-Leader

 

 

From 1969 through 1975, the home towns of the teams who won the Kentucky boys’ Sweet Sixteen were mind-numbingly repetitive: Louisville, Louisville, Louisville, Owensboro, Louisville, Louisville, Louisville.

 

 

In a state that had long savored its small-town basketball traditions, this big-city dominance of Kentucky’s one-class high school basketball state tournament was becoming oppressive. So there was a vote set for after the 1976 state tourney to gauge whether the commonwealth’s high schools wanted to end the one-size-fits-all Sweet Sixteen.

 

 

The times called out for a small school as hero. Improbably, one arose......................

I was a Junior in 1976

Great story, I never knew the vote was that close to going to class basketball.

In the past 20 years there have only been 2 of 40 finals participants that would qualify as All A participants as well (Shelby Valley in 2010 and Paintsville in 1998). Only 6 total of the 40 would be classified in the current football alignment as 3A or less, including Lexington Catholic and E'town who both already had a "Sweet 16 pedigree". Since that 1976 Edmonson Co team the numbers are even more staggering. 3 finals for Lex Cath (3A), 2 for Paintsville, 1 each for Louisville Central (3A), E'town (3A) University Heights, and Shelby Valley (which had enrollment over 1,000 students in the early 2000's). 9 "small school" finals appearances out of 80 totals finals participants. The past 5 years finals have features 6-6A schools and 4-5A schools if my math is correct.

 

I wonder what the vote would be now?

^

The vote would be even more in favor of keeping the same format.

I am not for classification. Because I feel that the All 'A' Classic satisfies those small schools. If you take away the David and Goliath plot it just wouldn't be the same. Example: Augusta/Mason County from 2012-2016.

 

It's not like football where you need 20 or baseball where you need 12 and a good pitcher. All you need in basketball is a solid 5 and a good coach. However it's easier for big schools to do that.

This is a good article and I agree that the Edmonson County championship helped save the Sweet 16.

But Stan Steidel's All A State Tournament, which started in 1990, has had a big impact, too.

This is a good article and I agree that the Edmonson County championship helped save the Sweet 16.

But Stan Steidel's All A State Tournament, which started in 1990, has had a big impact, too.

 

 

I remember rooting hard for Edmonson in the '76 SS.

I remember rooting hard for Edmonson in the '76 SS.

I remember cheering for them too but had to do it listening to the radio broadcast. I was in my senior year at EKU. I recall the big guy that played center for them (only 6'4 but a football player body) gave every team they played problems and was a good rebounder.

I was a Junior in 1976

 

Rook.

I'm glad we don't know the answer but I wonder how the vote would have shook down if they hadn't won.

They should have asked them then... maybe it's better we don't know because the speculation is much more fun!

Since that 1976 Edmonson Co team the numbers are even more staggering. 3 finals for Lex Cath (3A), 2 for Paintsville, 1 each for Louisville Central (3A), E'town (3A) University Heights, and Shelby Valley (which had enrollment over 1,000 students in the early 2000's). 9 "small school" finals appearances out of 80 totals finals participants. The past 5 years finals have features 6-6A schools and 4-5A schools if my math is correct.

 

I wonder what the vote would be now?

 

1983 Carlisle County was the state runner up losing to Henry Clay in triple OT. They are a small school.

1983 Carlisle County was the state runner up losing to Henry Clay in triple OT. They are a small school.

 

Missed 1. Make it 10 of 80.