Billy Hicks was at Corbin when the All A Classic became a statewide tournament. Harlan was never a factor in it until Mike Jones became the coach and the Green Dragons had guys like Charles Thomas, Todd Cox and Michael Jones.

No one disputes that, least of all me ... but the Cardinals certainly had a deep, fine collection of talent.

 

Harlan did win the "Class A Classic" in 1986 when Hicks was the head coach of the Dragons. At that time the tournament was an invitational. The finals and semi finals were played at Northern Kentucky University. The organizers tried to get the top 8 class A teams from around the state plus the 9 or 10 class A teams in northern Kentucky. All the nothern Kentucky teams were on one side of the bracket and the rest were on the other side. In 1996 Harlan defeated Paris in the semifinals and Walton Varona in the finals. Walton Varona had a 6'8" kid that could play. He later played at Wright State. Edds was the head coach at WVHS then and Steve Wright was an assistant. Paris also had a very good team that year. At that time Harlan had a couple very quick little guards and played a tough man to man press the whole game. Walton Varona had a hard time beating the press.

It is hard to argue against Riley @ Warren Central.

 

Billy Hicks is in the top 5, although I'm not personally a fan of his.

 

Thats a surprise!

Harlan did win the "Class A Classic" in 1986 when Hicks was the head coach of the Dragons. At that time the tournament was an invitational. The finals and semi finals were played at Northern Kentucky University. The organizers tried to get the top 8 class A teams from around the state plus the 9 or 10 class A teams in northern Kentucky. All the nothern Kentucky teams were on one side of the bracket and the rest were on the other side. In 1996 Harlan defeated Paris in the semifinals and Walton Varona in the finals.

Of course, the All A Classic then doesn't equate to what the tournament is now ... they didn't always get all of the best Class A teams in the field, even though they made an admirable effort to do so. I doubt that anyone considered it a "state championship" then like the tournament is thought of now.

Of course, the All A Classic then doesn't equate to what the tournament is now ... they didn't always get all of the best Class A teams in the field, even though they made an admirable effort to do so. I doubt that anyone considered it a "state championship" then like the tournament is thought of now.

Westsider, your responses are getting very predictable when it comes to Hicks.

Westsider, your responses are getting very predictable when it comes to Hicks.

Log Mountain Boy effectively equated Harlan's winning the All A Classic with a state title ... I'm simply pointing out that the comparison doesn't fly.

 

You guys think I have something against Hicks ... I don't. He's a great coach with the track record to prove it. But I do think some of you guys go overboard with your assessment of him, and when someone makes a factual error it will be noted.

Hicks was an assistant coach at Limestone College in South Carolina before coaching high school basketball.

Please tell me any success that has ever been accomplished at Limestone College....and also where it is.....I think it would be interesting to put him at a mid major DI or an NAIA like Georgetown and see how successful he could be...just a thought because everyone has talent at the college level!

Other top notch coaches have to include Mabrey (PRP), Listerman (CovCath), Danny Haney (even though he is out of the state...I still predict he will be back), Mike Mendenhall (new Frosh coach at Catholic and long time Middle School coach, just a few I respect in the area...may not like who they coach fo....but respect.

 

To be honest with all the coaching changes over the years at Catholic. They should of looked at Mendenhal. They would of been alot better than what they have now.

Log Mountain Boy effectively equated Harlan's winning the All A Classic with a state title ... I'm simply pointing out that the comparison doesn't fly.

 

You guys think I have something against Hicks ... I don't. He's a great coach with the track record to prove it. But I do think some of you guys go overboard with your assessment of him, and when someone makes a factual error it will be noted.

 

So you were wrong too because you said that Hicks never won the All A. I was pretty sure that he did, but I did not have any evidence so I did not argue it. So when you make a factual error it will also be noted. Also show me where I ever said that it was a state championship where every region was represented. Lets get the facts straight. :fire:

To be honest with all the coaching changes over the years at Catholic. They should of looked at Mendenhal. They would of been alot better than what they have now.

Coach Mendenhal, is a great guy and does an excellent job, with the MS program.

The talent at Graves has been minimal in comparison with the rest of the state. Were you at Rupp Arena in '97 to watch them play Eastern? Shouldn't have been on same floor, shows his level of coaching.

Actually, Hatcher didn't coach in that game. He was suspended for both Graves games in the Sweet 16 because he was ejected from the regional final, his second ejection of the season. It was his team, though.

So you were wrong too because you said that Hicks never won the All A.

He never won the All A Classic, as it exists today ... he's never coached at a school that was eligible to play in it.

So when you make a factual error it will also be noted.

My comment on it was that Hicks was coaching at Corbin when the All A Classic became a statewide tournament ... that is a fact, and it's factually correct.

Also show me where I ever said that it was a state championship where every region was represented.

By lumping it in with Corbin's Sweet 16 appearance, you effectively implied that he won the All A Classic as we know it today. When Hicks won it, it was basically a good invitational tournament ... nothing more, nothing less.

But Scott County also had two juniors that played Division I basketball in Jones and A.W. Hamilton. The next season, Scott had three future D-I players (Scott Hundley was the second Mr. Basketball transfer) and didn't win the state title.

 

It wasn't as if those teams were lacking talent.

 

And that shows you how tough it is to win the state tournament in Kentucky. How many guys have won more than one? :confused:

He hasnt been successful at the college level....

Waterboy, that was one great point. And furthermore he has never been successful at the professional level or at coaching international basketball.

Coach Mendenhal, is a great guy and does an excellent job, with the MS program.

He is now the Freshman Coach at Catholic, as of next season...I believe!

Solid...at least someone enjoys my humor Hicks is a great coach, I wonder how much longer he will stick around? What else is left to accomplish?

Waterboy, that was one great point. And furthermore he has never been successful at the professional level or at coaching international basketball.