Tigers vs. Colonels, one last time

I'm saying this because it's very unlikely these teams will meet for a region championship. But truly this was the most special rivalry in the state. It's one of those you just had to live. Truly you were Orange or you are blue(although my kids are Blazers).

If I'm not mistaken, this is likely the last time these two schools will face off in team sports as Hoptown will not field a baseball or softball team. So many great memories. So many great players. Everyone knows that the community comes out for this game, the players always step up for this game. This game is like a tournament atmosphere any time you play. You win this game and make a big play in this game, you get to have that for life. There's really nothing like it. One county with 2 schools that are 5A type enrollments.

Each school has won a state title in basketball.

Hoptown in 1985 beat the Colonels in the regional title. Many say the Colonels were better....the Tigers won 56-55. They took that all the way to the State Championship and brought the first one home to the county. What's interesting is that County won the 1984 4A State Title in football and Hopkinsville made the football state championship in 2A that season. 

And the history of CCHS with Coach Dunbar leading them to so many regional titles, that 1976 team that made the state finals was legendary. In 2011, Christian County had it's first Mr. Basketball in Anthony Hickey. Like the 1985 Tigers, they lost the district title to UHA in a tornado warning game. They then took it all the way to the state title game where they won on a buzzer beater in double overtime.

Region 2 fans now, I imagine you didn't know that in 2008-2011 Tim Haworth, Anthony Babb, Tyler Smithart, and Jon Newton were all assistant coaches at Hoptown and County

These teams have just battled. A decade ago Tim Haworth had Hoptown rocking with 5 region titles in the decade. Frankie Smith led CCHS back to the S16 after a decade. Both teams had top 10 rankings. They faced off in the region title back to back years. Buzzer beaters, OT games, Division 1 talent, and sellout gyms. That was a fun few years and honestly it showed that Hopkinsville/Christian County was a BASKETBALL TOWN. The football game always got the attention, but the last 20 years has been about basketball.

You think about the history of so many legends like Bird Averitt, Curtis Parker, Lamont Ware/Wendell Quarles, Curtis Pulley, Anthony Hickey, Jaqualis Matlock, Torrian Ware, and so many others I wouldn't have time to name. The coaches like Roy Woolum, Lyle Dunbar, Darryl Halmark, Kerry Stovall, and Tim Haworth. 

It's a sad sad sad day. I know they needed a new school, but I really don't think this is going to be good for a community of this size. Hoptown-County is an event that spans generations. It draws out the community in a way that you can't explain. It brings out the best in our community. No matter the record, if you win this game? Your season is successful. You're the big man on campus. You cherish those memories. Every year you'll see old faces in the crowd for a game like this, because it's the draw. It connects our history. But it's all over now, but the memories will never fade. We'll never see crowds or energy like this in this area again. But tonight, I'd imagine they'll give us one last great game.

Amazing post! Thanks for taking the time to put that together. I’ve been lucky enough to see several Hoptown/ County basketball games over the last decade or so and it was electric every time. The state is truly losing one of its’ best rivalries unfortunately. 

Tigers win 56-44 for the last time. It was a fast paced game like usual. Buckets were traded back and forth. Late in the 3rd quarter, Christian County took a 33-32 lead. But Hopkinsville went on a 19-0 run and the game was over from there. 

Surprisingly it was a 6pm start and not a 7pm start, which I think hurt attendance. But a very bittersweet night.

Hopkinsville now waits to see the regional draw, probably keeping a close eye on where Henderson and Lyon will fall in the bracket.

Wonderful post!
I was at the Hopkinsville vs Clay County championship game in 1985. I was cheering for Clay County because they border my home county. We are not in their region but Appalachians just the same. But the Clay County Tigers lost by 1 point that night to a very good HopTown team. Clay’s Richie Farmer was a freshman for them that season. Of course they won the state championship two years later themselves during Richie’s junior year. 

So I assume from your post that these two schools will consolidate next year. 
What will be their official school name and mascot? And what will the enrollment be?

Great post. Consolidation sucks. 

20 hours ago, The Professor said:

So I assume from your post that these two schools will consolidate next year. 
What will be their official school name and mascot? And what will the enrollment be?

I THINK I’ve seen that they will be named the Christian County Tigers

A combo of both schools.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong.