8th Region All-A Notes

[ColonelMike]

The state All-A starts this week at McBrayer Arena in Richmond on the EKU campus...

Thought it'd be interesting to look back at the 8th Region representatives in the tournament since it went statewide in 1990 and began inviting 16 regional champions, like the "Sweet 16" does....

Some miscellaneous facts:

• Eight schools have represented the 8th Region at least once in the state All-A:
  • Walton-Verona, Gallatin County - 7 times each
  • Owen County - 6 times
  • Carroll County - 5 times
  • Henry County - 3 times
  • Trimble County - 2 times
  • Williamstown, Spencer County - 1 time each
• In 31 years prior to 2021, 8th Region schools have lost in the semi-finals 6 times:
  • Owen County - three final fours (1996, 2015, 2016)
  • Walton-Verona - two final fours (2004, 2019)
  • Carroll County - one final four (1998)
• Two 8th Region teams have made it all the way to the finals; both finished as the state runner-ups:
  • Gallatin County (1999, beat Elliott County, Harlan, Allen Central and lost to University Heights, 54-46)
  • Walton-Verona (2018, beat Louisville Holy Cross, Clinton County, and Mayfield, and lost to Lexington Christian, 47-41)

Walton-Verona makes their fourth appearance in the state All-A in the last 5 years this week, facing Somerset in the first round (the second year in a row the 8th Region has faced Somerset in the opening game).    W-V has been successful in their three previous trips since 2017, going 1-1 in 2017, reaching the semi-finals in 2019, and advancing all the way to the finals in 2018.   

Wishing Mike Hester and the Bearcats the best of luck!

CM