Steve Gilmore, Wayne Breeden, Buddy Biggs and Jason Mays came from four different parts of the commonwealth to coach Ashland’s boys basketball team.

For each of them, the Tomcats’ tradition and reputation for deeply rooted community involvement made impressions that preceded their own contributions to a program that began play in the 1919-20 season.

“Like many basketball fans and coaches in Kentucky, I knew of the great tradition of the Ashland Tomcats, and it was something that we talked about a lot when I was there,” said Breeden, a Bullitt County native who coached Ashland from 1992-97. “I used to tell the guys, we wanted to be the caretakers of tradition. We didn’t start it, but we wanted to keep it going.”

Ashland has kept it going all the way to the doorstep of a qualification no one else in Kentucky can claim.

With five victories in as many games to begin the season, the Tomcats’ next win will be their 2,000th in program history. That could come as soon as today, when Ashland meets Capital (West Virginia) in the Boyd County Roundball Classic at 4:15 p.m.

“As time goes on, there will be more and more people reach this plateau and hit this benchmark, but there will only be one that says we were the first,” Mays said. “We’re fortunate for that to be us. I’m confident that we’ll reach that, obviously, this year. For that trophy, so to speak, to come back to this community, I think, is very deserving.”

 

 

Tomcats aim to add to tradition: Ashland one win away from being first Ky. program to 2K | Sports | dailyindependent.com

Who is #2 in wins in Kentucky?

Who is #2 in wins in Kentucky?

 

Not sure, maybe Owensboro?

That’s a great accomplishment! Congrats to the Tomcats!

@LRCW What coach has the most wins in Ashland history? I know coach Patterson won 5 straight regional titles in the late 70’s.

Who is #2 in wins in Kentucky?

From KSHAA, but appears to be at least a year old.

1,976 Ashland Blazer, 1921- (1,976-887-1); 24-6

1,941 Paducah Tilghman, 1911- (1,941-803); 19-10

1,578 * Central City, 1926-90 (1,578-556); n/a

1,468 Paintsville, 1921- (1,468-1,129-2); 20-10

1,437 Newport Central Catholic, 1943- (1,437-733); 16-13

1,418 Belfry, 1925- (1,418-1,182); 20-13

1,407 Wayne County, 1942- (1,407-851); 19-14

1,385 Lafayette, 1939- (1,385-767); 21-10

1,347 Paris, 1928- (1,347-1,129); 23-8

1,276 * Monticello, 1911-2013 (1,276-1,125); n/a

1,264 Mason County, 1960- (1,264-509); 17-14

1,087 Carlisle County, 1957- (1,087-727); 13-16

1,080 Augusta, 1911- (1,080-1,511-1); 10-18

It's kind of mind blowing that Tilghman is the only team close to the Tomcats and that's with 10 more seasons of play.

I hope they win today. We play them Tuesday at GRCC. I would hate to rain on their parade it should be a great game. I will be back from Florida and will be there cheering on my Cards. LRCW if you are there I hope to see you.

It's kind of mind blowing that Tilghman is the only team close to the Tomcats and that's with 10 more seasons of play.

 

PT has also played 100+ less games.

PT has also played 100+ less games.

 

That's also odd unless it's due to early post season exits on Paducah's end. Of the top of my head that theory doesn't really sound right either though.

That's also odd unless it's due to early post season exits on Paducah's end. Of the top of my head that theory doesn't really sound right either though.

 

I remember seeing old yearbooks, back in the day some teams would play 12 to 15 games a year while others would play 20+.

I remember seeing old yearbooks, back in the day some teams would play 12 to 15 games a year while others would play 20+.

 

Ah, that makes sense then.

I remember seeing old yearbooks, back in the day some teams would play 12 to 15 games a year while others would play 20+.

 

Some schools played around 50 games or more. I think one year in the late 1940's Olive Hill was like 47-3.

@LRCW What coach has the most wins in Ashland history? I know coach Patterson won 5 straight regional titles in the late 70’s.

 

Not sure, if I had to guess I would go with Mike Flynn.

It's a done deal, the Tomcats get their 2,000th win against a top 5 WV team.