For whatever reason, some small schools around the state can consistantly compete with the big dogs. The Hazards, Painstvilles, Rose Hills, etc. Dayton and Bellevue are not these schools. They don't have they enrollment, they don't have the athletes, and when they do have the athletes, they often struggle to get them playing all the sports they could be. Its not anyone in Dayton or Bellevue's programs fault, it isn't the kids that are playing's fault. But if there is anything to be done about it to change it a many have tried and failed to do so. Talent comes in waves around here. It's not a steady flow. Why? I have no idea.

 

My last post was based on the fact that Hazard an Paintsville aren't competing every year with schools the quality of Highlands to get into regional. I will somewhat go back on that because I don't know who they play to get into regional or state for that matter. I also am not saying that Hazard and Painsville aren't very talented... I do know that I still don't know that I would favor them over a team like Highlands. And if Hazard or Paintsville were playing NC and Highlands to get to the regional every year would they be there as often?

How many state champs have come out of the 9th Region since 1981?

According to the KHSAA Handbook, Highlands has just a little over 800 students. That's not that big.

For whatever reason, some small schools around the state can consistantly compete with the big dogs. The Hazards, Painstvilles, Rose Hills, etc. Dayton and Bellevue are not these schools. They don't have they enrollment, they don't have the athletes, and when they do have the athletes, they often struggle to get them playing all the sports they could be. Its not anyone in Dayton or Bellevue's programs fault, it isn't the kids that are playing's fault. But if there is anything to be done about it to change it a many have tried and failed to do so. Talent comes in waves around here. It's not a steady flow. Why? I have no idea.

 

My last post was based on the fact that Hazard an Paintsville aren't competing every year with schools the quality of Highlands to get into regional. I will somewhat go back on that because I don't know who they play to get into regional or state for that matter. I also am not saying that Hazard and Painsville aren't very talented... I do know that I still don't know that I would favor them over a team like Highlands. And if Hazard or Paintsville were playing NC and Highlands to get to the regional every year would they be there as often?

 

 

 

First we were talking about the small schools. Now it's the small schools in northern Kentucky because they are "different," even though the schools there aren't that much bigger than in other regions.

 

It still comes down to hoping for a break instead of competing.

According to the KHSAA Handbook, Highlands has just a little over 800 students. That's not that big.

 

And look up the two small schools in question in this district... Is 800 students big compared to them?

First we were talking about the small schools. Now it's the small schools in northern Kentucky because they are "different," even though the schools there aren't that much bigger than in other regions.

 

It still comes down to hoping for a break instead of competing.

 

We are talking about small schools in northern Kentucky because this thread was initially discussing the 36th district.

 

Why does one have to be either "hoping for a break" or "competing." Why can't you hope for a good draw and then compete once the time comes. Its not like the small schools are scared to play the bigger schools but they understand that they are at a disadvantage. Just like Bellevue and Dayton. They never have shyed away from playing Highlands/Newport/NC but would rather play each other because they know they match up better? Is that a crime?

Programs that vote against seeding don't want to EARN a berth in the regional. They are hoping to catch a break and admitting inferiority.

 

I think your statement here is not fair to the kids who bust their tails at the small schools to compete at a higher level and hope they can pull off upsets of the much bigger schools. Saying a team doesnt want to earn it is a complete disrespect to the kids who work hard. Nobody on those small school teams want to be handed a ticket to a Regional tournament so they can get beat by a Holmes or Boone Co in the 1st round. They are hoping that if they work hard enough and play smart enough maybe it will pay off and they can pull the upset like Dayton almost did last year vs. Highlands.

 

Its all about a dream for these small schools. Catching a break is part of that dream and making memories by possibly knocking off a Goliath is all they are shooting for. I dont think Tom Dilts and Kent Vories are expecting to win the Region and go down state but if they can get their boys to the Regional Tourney and let them experience that once every few year so be it.

 

How about we just take the top 8 teams ranked each year and let them play in the REgional Tourney and say screw the District Tournaments? Would that make you happy. Better yet lets just go ahead and crown a team based on their record and not even have a tournament. Its why they play the game, it is to give all kids the opportunity to compete.

One more point and I'm done. Bellevue gets to the regional, as a district loser. Holmes draws them in the 1st round. This gives Holmes a huge advantage over the rest of the field, as Holmes wins with the JV team and the starters are well rested for the remainder of the tourrnament. Sorry, but Bellevue or Dayton should have to upset a Highlands or NCC to get there, not just have it handed to them.

I think your statement here is not fair to the kids who bust their tails at the small schools to compete at a higher level and hope they can pull off upsets of the much bigger schools. Saying a team doesnt want to earn it is a complete disrespect to the kids who work hard. Nobody on those small school teams want to be handed a ticket to a Regional tournament so they can get beat by a Holmes or Boone Co in the 1st round. They are hoping that if they work hard enough and play smart enough maybe it will pay off and they can pull the upset like Dayton almost did last year vs. Highlands.

 

Its all about a dream for these small schools. Catching a break is part of that dream and making memories by possibly knocking off a Goliath is all they are shooting for. I dont think Tom Dilts and Kent Vories are expecting to win the Region and go down state but if they can get their boys to the Regional Tourney and let them experience that once every few year so be it.

 

How about we just take the top 8 teams ranked each year and let them play in the REgional Tourney and say screw the District Tournaments? Would that make you happy. Better yet lets just go ahead and crown a team based on their record and not even have a tournament. Its why they play the game, it is to give all kids the opportunity to compete.

 

I really can't believe you think this system is the best way to do it. You know if you want Bellevue to earn it, have them beat Highlands to advance. You're not a Cinderella until you upset a Goliath to earn it. I don't think Dayton is in that category.

How often has Dayton and Bellevue been on the play in game over the past 25 yrs? Seriously I think it may only be 3 or 4 times.

 

As far as upsetting a team in District to get there I will probably agree with you on that as far as having to earn a trip. But like I said, this doesnt happen too often and when it does the other teams just need to sack up and play. Tournament time is do or die anyway.

 

And the blind draw wont change to seeding anytime soon so it is what it is. More often than not the Birds will get a favorable draw in this tournament. The toughest scenario for the Birds is this year as they have to win two tough games to get to the final. Most other years they only have to win 1. And how about when the Birds get the spot where they only have to beat a Bellevue or Dayton to get to the Finals. Then you have NCC or Newport crying foul. Its a mess all the way around I guess.

How often has Dayton and Bellevue been on the play in game over the past 25 yrs? Seriously I think it may only be 3 or 4 times.

 

As far as upsetting a team in District to get there I will probably agree with you on that as far as having to earn a trip. But like I said, this doesnt happen too often and when it does the other teams just need to sack up and play. Tournament time is do or die anyway.

 

Well since you can lose and advance, it's not really do or die time. I've hated this system since I've known enough to realize how flawed it is.

Question? Okay so you don't want to seed, then how about only letting one team move on to the Region? Then only the best team from each district moves on! Having only one team per district move on of course hurts the smaller schools, but it also hurt some of the better schools too! So???? Each Region doesn't send two teams to Rupp only one, so why send two teams from each district to the Region?

Well since you can lose and advance, it's not really do or die time. I've hated this system since I've known enough to realize how flawed it is.

 

Which brings up an interesting point, when was the last time a loser from the 36th District Final went on to win the Region?

Question? Okay so you don't want to seed, then how about only letting one team move on to the Region? Then only the best team from each district moves on! Having only one team per district move on of course hurts the smaller schools, but it also hurt some of the better schools too! So???? Each Region doesn't send two teams to Rupp only one, so why send two teams from each district to the Region?

 

Its called GATE. But I would be cool with a Final Four Regional.

Which brings up an interesting point, when was the last time a loser from the 36th District Final went on to win the Region?

 

I think you need to expand that to any district. New thread!