Spring of 1997 saw torrential rains and devastating flooding on the Licking River and Ohio River, among other parts of Kentucky. According to the National Weather Service 92 counties in Kentucky were declared disaster areas. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, with total damage across the region around $400,000,000. The Ohio River rose to the highest levels since March of 1964. Tragically, 19 deaths occurred in Kentucky; 9 were people who attempted to cross flooded roadways.

 

The Flood of 1997

 

Not nearly as important, but something I've never heard discussed on BGP, was the conclusion of the 37th District tournament. Played at Harrison County, the game was called at halftime due to rising waters in the area. Officials and administrators decided to use a coin flip to determine the winner, with Bourbon County getting the lucky landing.

 

The luck wouldn't last, however, as Bourbon County lost to Fleming County in the first round of the region. Flooded Harrison County, losers of the coin flip, would go on to win the 10th Region crown and beat Apollo in the state tournament at Rupp Arena before bowing to Paintsville in the quarterfinals.

 

 

Does anyone recall this game? Even with flooding and dangerous conditions, I can't believe anyone would be happy with a coin flip to determine a champion.

I did not know this. Thanks for sharing great story.

I remember it happening. Seems like Pendleton County had to flip with somebody too.

 

That old fart @Can'tcoach might know.

I remember it happening. Seems like Pendleton County had to flip with somebody too.

 

That old fart @Can'tcoach might know.

 

Nope, we finished our game with Bishop Brossart, but many had hazardous trips home or stayed elsewhere. No one got back into Falmouth.

 

And don't call me old!

I remember it happening. Seems like Pendleton County had to flip with somebody too.

 

I don't have any record of that on the boys side (Pendleton lost a one-point heartbreaker to Brossart in the district), but maybe the girls? I know Falmouth was heavily flooded. I remember our church sending relief supplies to a sister congregation there.

Spring of 1997 saw torrential rains and devastating flooding on the Licking River and Ohio River, among other parts of Kentucky. According to the National Weather Service 92 counties in Kentucky were declared disaster areas. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, with total damage across the region around $400,000,000. The Ohio River rose to the highest levels since March of 1964. Tragically, 19 deaths occurred in Kentucky; 9 were people who attempted to cross flooded roadways.

 

The Flood of 1997

 

Not nearly as important, but something I've never heard discussed on BGP, was the conclusion of the 37th District tournament. Played at Harrison County, the game was called at halftime due to rising waters in the area. Officials and administrators decided to use a coin flip to determine the winner, with Bourbon County getting the lucky landing.

 

The luck wouldn't last, however, as Bourbon County lost to Fleming County in the first round of the region. Flooded Harrison County, losers of the coin flip, would go on to win the 10th Region crown and beat Apollo in the state tournament at Rupp Arena before bowing to Paintsville in the quarterfinals.

 

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Does anyone recall this game? Even with flooding and dangerous conditions, I can't believe anyone would be happy with a coin flip to determine a champion.

 

Conditions and scheduling dictated the coin flip.

Conditions and scheduling dictated the coin flip.

 

Absolutely. They really had no choice, especially with the region starting on Monday. Whatever the 1997 version of BGP was probably had some folks fussing and cussing about a coin flip, though! :lol2:

I remember it happening. Seems like Pendleton County had to flip with somebody too.

 

That old fart @Can'tcoach might know.

 

The Licking was especially bad that year and I know Falmouth took the biggest brunt of it. It seemed like it rained every single day in NoKy (I was living there then).

I don't have any record of that on the boys side (Pendleton lost a one-point heartbreaker to Brossart in the district), but maybe the girls? I know Falmouth was heavily flooded. I remember our church sending relief supplies to a sister congregation there.

 

Tons of churches poured resources into the community.

 

The Licking was especially bad that year and I know Falmouth took the biggest brunt of it. It seemed like it rained every single day in NoKy (I was living there then).

 

It was really bad. The town hasn't been the same since.

Nope' date=' we finished our game with Bishop Brossart, but many had hazardous trips home or stayed elsewhere. No one got back into Falmouth.[/quote']

 

Maybe that's what I was thinking. The team couldn't get back to town or something like that.

I was there. Cynthiana was flooded and no way out or in by 10;00 p.m. Had to evacuate when they did, or the HCHS gym would become a shelter for about 2,000 people. Coin Flip was(and assume still is) in the KHSAA handbook and had to be followed as region draw was the next day. Bourbon was behind at half time but won the coin toss for district champs.

I remember it well.

We (Brossart) played Pendleton County in the district finals that night at Pendleton County High School..

After our game, when I came up the stairs from the locker room, there was a state trooper there, and the gym was being readied to serve as a shelter. He told me that if we were going north on 27 to hurry because they were about to close US27 at Butler. A FEMA town of temporary homes was constructed at the top of the hill south of the city.

 

The draw meeting was the next morning at Mason County High School and the PCo folks had to somehow get there via US22.

 

The Harrison County basketball team took up residence at the motel behind McDonalds in Maysvile and stayed there for the duration of the 10th Region tournament, which they may have won. Yes, Harrison County was leading Bourbon County at the half, and the coin flip, reversed the outcome.

 

We played Harrison County at 5pm (they used to split sessions) and lost to the Breds, who were coached by Mike Reitz.

 

The City of Falmouth had water up to the rooftops of the entire downtown and many homes had been moved off of their foundations when the surging flood waters came through town.

Bourbon County head coach Tony Sosby had his players cut down the nets at Harrison County that night! LOL

 

If I am not mistaken there is a banner in BCHS gym that reads 1997 37th District Champions.

Bourbon County head coach Tony Sosby had his players cut down the nets at Harrison County that night! LOL

 

If I am not mistaken there is a banner in BCHS gym that reads 1997 37th District Champions.

 

Yep.

I was there. Very odd.

Harrison Co. was very good that year.

Bourbon County head coach Tony Sosby had his players cut down the nets at Harrison County that night! LOL

 

If I am not mistaken there is a banner in BCHS gym that reads 1997 37th District Champions.

 

:lol2::no: