The Berg would NOT be a top 3 job in a particular WKY county -- Christian (UHA, Hoptown, Christian).

Wouldn't be top 3 in Hardin (Elizabethtown, North Hardin or John Hardin). Wouldn't be top 2 in Warren (BG, Warren Central).

 

Plus, a yearly 5th Region cellar dweller -- Meade, which could never get out of the 17th because of those Hardin -- has done quite well in the 3rd Region since it got sent out west.

 

You could argue Meade (again, at best third in the 17th District most years, but usually fourth or fifth) has become one of the top jobs in the 3rd (easy district, 6-A school with usually decent football and baseball teams, which usually go hand in hand with hoops success).

Exactly my point bryan, 3rd is easier

If I did my research correctly, Muhlenberg hasn't won more than 16 games in a season since 2002.

 

In that time, Owensboro has had a good postseason run, Apollo has had/lost multiple D-I players and O'Cath has had some good runs in the All-A.

 

And now Meade has turned itself into a contender.

 

Muhlenberg can't even consistently win a mediocre district and hasn't exactly been killing it in a less-than-elite region.

 

Muhlenberg isn't consistently going to have the athletes the Boro schools have or the sheer numbers that Meade does.

 

But hey, if hoisting a district title in a I-dare-you-to-name-any-other-team district and making it to the region semis occasionally makes you a top 25 job (but not PRP or LexCath or Bardstown), then whatever floats your boat, dude.

 

Don't think I need to do the math, but I'd wager 50+ teams have been to state since the last time the Berg went to Rupp and 40+ teams have put out multiple D-I players in that span.

 

So obviously the prestige that is "Da Berg" is not about pay (not proven it is that much higher than everyone else), State success (nope) or D-I pipeline (nope).

An easy district and easier route to the region tournament each year puts you in the conversation for top teams in the region but in no way does it make you a top 25 program in the state. State prestige is defined by state success. Top 25 program in the state means that we see you playing at Rupp Arena on a regular basis. That is all fine and good that you guys in "The Berg" hang your hats on region tournament appearances and district championships in an easy district. The schools that truly are Top 25 hang their hat on region championships and deep runs at Rupp.

Having grown up in the Third Region at a time when Muhlenberg County had seven high schools (Central City, Greenville, Drakesboro, Hughes-Kirkpatrick, Bremen, Graham, Muhlenberg Central), I spent a lot of time at high school basketball games in Muhlenberg County and have continued to follow Muhlenberg County basketball. Muhlenberg North had some success following the consolidation in 1990, but it seems that Muhlenberg County has not been able to sustain that level of success; its only trip to the state tournament was in its first year, I believe, and as someone else pointed out, it has not won more than 16 times for the past several years. I wish the best for Muhlenberg County, but don't believe it is a top 25 program.

Never will be till they get the full support of the community, it is not North vs South now it is one school. Need to go on with the future and not dwell on the past? Respect the history but the history will not get you to Rupp in this region?

That's one of the "unintended consequences" of consolidation: more opportunities for kids in some ways (though not sports.) But when you lose "community" for your school, you lose a lot.

 

I say sports. As SmallHoops pointed out above: with 7 high schools you have 35 starters in basketball and (if there are 15 varsity roster players each) a total of 105 on the basketball teams. With just Muhlenberg Central, you're down to 5 starters and a total of 15 varsity players. Instead of your school (& churches) being the center of community life in 7 towns, 6 of the 7 communities have lost a huge focal point. Rivalries that continually build interest no longer exist. No way the folks in Greenville and Central City can replace the rivalry between their two teams...with a Muhlenberg Central rivalry with ___ (you fill in the blank.)

If I did my research correctly, Muhlenberg hasn't won more than 16 games in a season since 2002.

 

In that time, Owensboro has had a good postseason run, Apollo has had/lost multiple D-I players and O'Cath has had some good runs in the All-A.

 

And now Meade has turned itself into a contender.

 

Muhlenberg can't even consistently win a mediocre district and hasn't exactly been killing it in a less-than-elite region.

 

Muhlenberg isn't consistently going to have the athletes the Boro schools have or the sheer numbers that Meade does.

 

But hey, if hoisting a district title in a I-dare-you-to-name-any-other-team district and making it to the region semis occasionally makes you a top 25 job (but not PRP or LexCath or Bardstown), then whatever floats your boat, dude.

 

Don't think I need to do the math, but I'd wager 50+ teams have been to state since the last time the Berg went to Rupp and 40+ teams have put out multiple D-I players in that span.

 

So obviously the prestige that is "Da Berg" is not about pay (not proven it is that much higher than everyone else), State success (nope) or D-I pipeline (nope).

 

Your research is way off. The school opened in 2009/2010 wasn't even open in 2002. Watford was head coach at The Berg three seasons and won 20,22 and 24 games. Biggest mistake The Berg made was not hiring Steve Sparks and 2nd biggest was getting rid of Warford. Went down hill when he left, when you got studs in the stable you have to let them run.

Here's the line of coaches trying to get their applications in for this one:

 

The 10th district is a 3-team district consisting of Muhlenberg County, Ohio County and McLean County. In its 8 years of existence, Muhlenberg County had a first round bye 3 times, meaning it made it to the Third Region tournament without winning a game. In the other 5 years, it beat McLean County in the first round of the district tournament to qualify for the Third Region tournament.

 

Cobra sees that as part of what makes the job attractive, as it will be a pretty easy path to the regional tournament most years. Perhaps it is. But it is hard for me to consider winning district championships and making it to the regional tournament as significant accomplishments in such circumstances.

Berg hasn't won more than 16 games in a season since 2012. Typo on my part. Typerd 02 instead of 12.

 

Still contend that there are about 50 plus schools that dont have much to worry about when it comes to punching their tickets to region.

 

And even though the 3rd Region isnt that elite, Muhlenberg wasnt exactly establishing itself as a talent laden power without coaches' kids at the helm.

 

It is NOT like kids live in Muhlenberg and jump to other areas once they get better.

 

The talent pipeline isn't there on a yearly basis.

Anyone wanting this job besides the assistant coach in waiting?