28th District from Eastern tomorrow at 6pm.

To my knowledge Ballard has not ever not made the regional tournament.

Two previous scores from this season.

1/8/24 Christian Academy 79 Ballard 63

1/27/24 Christian Academy 67 Ballard 64

10 minutes ago, LouHSJunkie said:

28th District from Eastern tomorrow at 6pm.

To my knowledge Ballard has not ever not made the regional tournament.

Two previous scores from this season.

1/8/24 Christian Academy 79 Ballard 63

1/27/24 Christian Academy 67 Ballard 64

They last missed in 1986, losing to Eastern in district semis by 65-61 score. They also missed in 1981 (losing to Eastern) and 1971 (Westport). That 1971 loss to Westport is literally the only district tournament game that Ballard has lost to anyone other than Eastern. Any round. 

@DragonFirethanks for the info!

I just read on Courier Journal that Ballard has never had a season with a losing record. They must beat CAL tomorrow to avoid their first.

And even a win does not guarantee a winning season!

4 hours ago, LouHSJunkie said:

I just read on Courier Journal that Ballard has never had a season with a losing record. They must beat CAL tomorrow to avoid their first.

 

6 hours ago, DragonFire said:

They last missed in 1986, losing to Eastern in district semis by 65-61 score. They also missed in 1981 (losing to Eastern) and 1971 (Westport). That 1971 loss to Westport is literally the only district tournament game that Ballard has lost to anyone other than Eastern. Any round. 

? '70/'71 was the Bruins first varsity season and their loss to Westport ended that one with a 12-8 record. Coach Schmidt and company went 171-24 over the next six seasons including the '77 Sweet 16 title. 

As a newish school, Ballard was kind of pre-loaded for success, drawing kids from an area that was previously an all-Westport district and then blew up in size. Jerry Eaves' (Ballard & Louisville) older brother Larry was a star on the '70/'71 Westport team.

54 straight winning seasons, if not the record, is way up there. ? 

Picking Ballard on pure nostalgia.

It’s crazy that they haven’t had a single season with less than 20 wins since 97/98. The next year Renner arrived, they won state, and they certainly haven’t come near a losing record in that time since till now. 
 

1981 was only year they were close to a losing record, going just 12-11. But they had secured a winning record that year before even going into the final game of the regular season. This is unprecedented.

Looking forward to watching this game today and providing in game updates! Everyone vote and get their predictions in! No one has voted for Christian Academy even with beating Ballard twice this season. 

Lots of fascinating stats here about the Ballard program. I know they aren't as good as usual, but something in me says the Bruins get a first round win this evening.

I'll take CAL. They've beat Ballard twice but won't be easy since tough to beat a team 3 times. 

Been a tough year for the Bruins.  Other than a very nice win over Male, what is their best win?  Beth Haven, maybe?  I know the old adage is that it is tough to beat a team three times in a season.  But I actually think is pretty easy to beat a team three times in a season, particularly when you are the better team and have the best player who will be playing in the game, which CAL has in Jackson Washington.  I think CAL gets it done tonight.  We'll see.

@Smallhoops Ballard has wins over Lexington Christian, Bullitt East twice, Beth Haven, Male, Jeffersontown, and Seneca. They have very close losses to Trinity and St. X. It is a down year for Ballard for sure but they have played a tough schedule and are very capable of winning this one. 

One hour until tipoff! I'm on way there now still time to get your vote and predictions in.

10 minutes until tip