10th Region - 40th District (pre 1997)

Bath Co. (currently in 16th region)

Estill Co. (currently in 14th region)

Montgomery Co.

George Rogers Clark

 

Didn't Estill replace Mt. Sterling when Mt. Sterling merged with Montgomery Co in the late 70's? Not sure where Estill was before that.

Didn't Estill replace Mt. Sterling when Mt. Sterling merged with Montgomery Co in the late 70's? Not sure where Estill was before that.

Forgot about old Mt. Sterling High. Played there in, I think 1974. I believe that was their last year before the merger. If I'm not mistaken Estill Co. was in the 12th Region before moving to the 10th.

I made a little mistake on Estill Co. being in the 12th region back then, they came from the 14th and then went back to the 14th after the last realignment.

Didn't Estill replace Mt. Sterling when Mt. Sterling merged with Montgomery Co in the late 70's? Not sure where Estill was before that.

I believe Estill County was in the 11h region before they entered the 10th in the mid-'70s. Estill is in a bad location regardless of what region they're in. When they were in the 10th they were the farthest team located to the south, when they were in the 11th they were the farthest team to the southeast, and now they're in the 14th and they are the farthest team to the west.

The 56th, pre-1980, was Owsley County, Powell County, Lee County, Wolfe County (now in the 55th), and Hazel Green Academy (no longer in operation). Jackson City was also in the 56th for a couple of years in the early '80s but requested to return to the 55th.

On further thought...Bellevue HAD to be in the 35 with Dayton and Newport, & NCC. HHS played (and got beat in triple OT) by Bellevue in the first round of the 1976 regional. Below was "stolen" from the Buddy LaRosa HOF web site. PS...Coach is writing a book of his memoirs!

 

Coach Ken Shields

St. Thomas/Highlands High Schools

 

1965-1988

 

 

Perhaps one of the most well-loved and well-respected basketball coaches in Greater Cincinnati over the last 50 years, Ken Shields may be regarded as best ever.

 

He has produced a staggering legacy of 39 years of coaching between the high school (23 years) and collegiate level (16 years) to compile 766 victories. The career total is believed to be the best in Greater Cincinnati amateur basketball history. His 460 career victories in high school rank No. 4 all-time in Greater Cincinnati history, while his 306 collegiate victories at Northern Kentucky University rank No. 2 all-time behind Bob Huggins (399).

 

Shields’ high school career began in Fort Thomas at St. Thomas High School where he coached for 10 seasons (199-113 record). The Tomcats won three 36th District championships. When the school closed, Shields moved to Highlands where he coached for another 13 years (261-144 record). The Bluebirds won five Ninth Region championships and nine 36th District titles. Overall, he had 16 seasons with 20-plus victories.

 

In 1988, Shields left Highlands to become the third coach in NKU history. In 16 seasons, he finished with a 306-170 career mark. His teams made the NCAA Division II national tournament seven times, including finishing as national runners-up in both 1995-96 and in 1996-97. Shields was named NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year in 1994-95.

 

Shields was an outstanding athlete as well during his high school career at Covington Catholic. A four-year starter in baseball, and a varsity starter in basketball his last two seasons, Shields was an All-Ninth Regional basketball star and was the CovCath Athlete of the Year in 1959-60.

 

Shields still teaches three days a week at NKU during the first semester.

 

 

And for the rest of the story!

 

Coach Shields first job was at CovCath where he coached the Freshmen Basketball and Baseball teams. The Basketball Staff at CovCath that year was Mote Hils, Hep (father of Mick) Cronin, and Ken Shields. How is that for a group of coaches, and now you know why two years later, CovCath won five straight Ninth Regional Championship.

I know back in 1965 that the KHSAA moved Bryan Station to the 10th Region for one year only. Was to young to understand why, but maybe someone else on here could elaborate.

Great Find. Nice Article:thumb:

 

I'd snatch up a copy of his book in a second.

We are working on it.

 

Would love to have it out by the startup of the '08-09 hoops season, but that might be unrealistic.

 

The book will contain all of the historical type data above and is quite detailed.

 

He had some amazing accomplishments!

On further thought...Bellevue HAD to be in the 35 with Dayton and Newport, & NCC. HHS played (and got beat in triple OT) by Bellevue in the first round of the 1976 regional. Below was "stolen" from the Buddy LaRosa HOF web site. PS...Coach is writing a book of his memoirs!

 

Coach Ken Shields

St. Thomas/Highlands High Schools

 

1965-1988

 

 

Perhaps one of the most well-loved and well-respected basketball coaches in Greater Cincinnati over the last 50 years, Ken Shields may be regarded as best ever.

 

He has produced a staggering legacy of 39 years of coaching between the high school (23 years) and collegiate level (16 years) to compile 766 victories. The career total is believed to be the best in Greater Cincinnati amateur basketball history. His 460 career victories in high school rank No. 4 all-time in Greater Cincinnati history, while his 306 collegiate victories at Northern Kentucky University rank No. 2 all-time behind Bob Huggins (399).

 

Shields’ high school career began in Fort Thomas at St. Thomas High School where he coached for 10 seasons (199-113 record). The Tomcats won three 36th District championships. When the school closed, Shields moved to Highlands where he coached for another 13 years (261-144 record). The Bluebirds won five Ninth Region championships and nine 36th District titles. Overall, he had 16 seasons with 20-plus victories.

 

In 1988, Shields left Highlands to become the third coach in NKU history. In 16 seasons, he finished with a 306-170 career mark. His teams made the NCAA Division II national tournament seven times, including finishing as national runners-up in both 1995-96 and in 1996-97. Shields was named NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year in 1994-95.

 

Shields was an outstanding athlete as well during his high school career at Covington Catholic. A four-year starter in baseball, and a varsity starter in basketball his last two seasons, Shields was an All-Ninth Regional basketball star and was the CovCath Athlete of the Year in 1959-60.

 

Shields still teaches three days a week at NKU during the first semester.

 

Great background. If I can add a couple of additional insights (that I am sure are shared by many others out there) Mr. Shields was very visible to the 8-14 year old set in the early and mid 70's as the referee in the Covington Recreation League at Turners on Saturday mornings and as the conductor of baseball and basketball clinics at Meinken Field and Latonia Elementary back before every college and high school coach conducted summer clinics (Mike Listerman refereed at the Kenton County Boys Club). Youth leagues and summer clinics might seem insignificant, but they gave Coach Shields a lot of exposure, access and familiarity to guys named Beal, Draud, Blasingame, Terry, etc. Sure he is well known as the winningest coach in northern Kentucky history, but he was really involved in northern Kentucky basketball at all levels in a way that few others have been, which might help explain his success.

I know back in 1965 that the KHSAA moved Bryan Station to the 10th Region for one year only. Was to young to understand why, but maybe someone else on here could elaborate.

 

I am too young to remember but what my dad always told me was so that they could get another team to the state tourney from Lexington that year. It was so Station but that did not happen due to running up against a Pendleton Co. team that upset them. So I don't know if that is the real reason but the reason I was always told. Also good job on the Tollsboro I forgot them in the 39th.

And for the rest of the story!

 

Coach Shields first job was at CovCath where he coached the Freshmen Basketball and Baseball teams. The Basketball Staff at CovCath that year was Mote Hils, Hep (father of Mick) Cronin, and Ken Shields. How is that for a group of coaches, and now you know why two years later, CovCath won five straight Ninth Regional Championship.

 

Recruiting? ..................................................................just kidding!

We are working on it.

 

Would love to have it out by the startup of the '08-09 hoops season, but that might be unrealistic.

 

The book will contain all of the historical type data above and is quite detailed.

 

He had some amazing accomplishments!

 

Please include a "glossary of terms"...Coach would sometimes speak his own language! :laugh: