State Champs...Ask any team or fan of that team & they will say state champs.

But I dont believe the KHSAA reconizes it as a state championship.

They don't. The All-A is a different entity.

Kentucky will never go to a class system in basketball, and that's just fine with me. I love it just the way it is, and I'm a fan of one of the smallest schools in the state...240 enrollment (and the only high school in the county). Our chance of ever winning the state title is slim to none. However, we were runner-up in the state All A Classic in 1990. That was a great experience. I think the All A is enough to satisfy the small schools. But the true champion is the winner at Rupp in March. The small schools have a chance to do a double, though. Hazard's girls pulled the trick in the late '90s.

 

The Sweet 16 is unique and a great experience. I wouldn't want to change to a watered down state championship system. I mean, if Tennessee has six state champions, who really is the true state champion?

 

If someone 5 years ago told me gas would be $4.10 a gal. I would have laughed.

 

Bottom line is it needs to happen it may be awhile, but it will happen.

 

Its only unique about every 25 years, its usually the large schools or the small privites.

People who come to the Sweet 16 that go to other state titles say nothing even comes close to it. Its an amazing experiences and the only one of its kind that actually does the event that good.

 

I'll agree the Sweet 16 is unique, and a great money making machine. It's a great product, without question. But, those that say nothing else comes close are either not being fair, or are being naive.

 

Ohio's final four in each class draws extremely well, despite having three less games than Kentucky's Sweet 16. The atmosphere is similar to the Sweet 16, and it's a big money maker for the OHSAA.

Kentucky will never go to a class system in basketball, and that's just fine with me. I love it just the way it is, and I'm a fan of one of the smallest schools in the state...240 enrollment (and the only high school in the county). Our chance of ever winning the state title is slim to none. However, we were runner-up in the state All A Classic in 1990. That was a great experience. I think the All A is enough to satisfy the small schools. But the true champion is the winner at Rupp in March. The small schools have a chance to do a double, though. Hazard's girls pulled the trick in the late '90s.

 

The Sweet 16 is unique and a great experience. I wouldn't want to change to a watered down state championship system. I mean, if Tennessee has six state champions, who really is the true state champion?[/quote]

 

 

Then is it safe to say we agree the state football playoff format is drenched?

I hope it never changes.

 

And how many folks in the Commonwealth are actually saying, "Well, Tennessee has 6 classes, surely we must follow their example?"

I would settle for 4 classes, or even 3.

Ask Fort Campbell. They play in the same district as Hopkinsville, UHA, and Christian County. They've made it out of their district Twice in 25 years. They've advanced to the finals of the All-A region tourney three of four years. Can't get past UHA.

 

Dawson Springs plays in the same district with Madisonville, Hopkins Central and Caldwell County. Region appearances are very rare for them.

 

Murray plays in the same district as Marshall County and Calloway County.

 

Whitesville Trinity, Hancock County, and McLean County make it to Richmond from time to time from the Third Region and don't sniff the second round of the region playoffs because of the larger Owensboro schools.

 

Christian Academy of Louisville has countless All-A region titles and haven't sniffed the Sweet 16.

 

I'm sure I could list many other smaller schools who wouldn't mind a class system.

 

The majority of the people against a class system for basketball are fans of, attended, or are associated with the large schools.

AMEN to The Scribe...

I'm from Ft. Campbell, ask our football players, they are state champs. Think about it from the kids point of view. Are you more worried about the KHSAA making its money or having classes where the kids have a equal chance to compete?

GO TO CLASSES!!!

Not true in my neck of the woods.

 

My region, the 14th, is mostly small schools, and I would be almost certain that any vote of the membership to go to a class system wouldn't get more than one vote, maybe two, and very possibly none. I would venture to say that the results would be the same in the 14th's neighboring regions, the 13th and the 15th, both of which have numerous small schools themselves.

 

Professor, I think you would be surprised at the number of schools in the mountains that would support class basketball. Coaches and school systems want to win. Many mountain schools could compete year-in year-out for state titles if they did not have to go head-to-head with the schools from Lexington and Louisville. --- My biggest problem today is... why are we classed in all sports except basketball and baseball. We should either class them all, or none.

I have to agree with the scribe, 20 years ago I would have said there is no way or no reason to change it. I have to say now, that I could see it changing in the next 10 to 15 years. With consolidation, growth in the larger areas of the state, and the enrollment increase of private schools, I can see it happening.

I don't care what Tennessee does. However, I would like to see KY go to 3 classes for hoops. The KHSAA could still find a way to make a lot of money off of it.

The establishment of the All A Classic several years ago goes along way to KY not moving to class basketball. Not only can small schools compete for an A title they can also win a state title.

 

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I went to a semi-large school that played often in the sweet 16. I love small schools as that is my family heritage. I am completely in favor of keeping one tourney for all. The sweet 16 is a special event and there are frequently smaller schools that either make some great memories or win the event. I don't remember where, but I read an article about many in Indiana really lamenting the decision to go to classes in basketball and lost interest/revenue in the state tournament.

If your a basketball fan, what's the problem with more state games. I don't want 6 divisions however, 3 would be great. Let's face it, there's only a couple small schools that really ever have a chance to even get out of their region, much less win the state.

We have road signs at Harlan and Cumberland honoring teams as Class A state champs.

When Harlan won the Class A twice in the mid 90's it was as strong as the Sweet 16. You had Harlan, Lex. Cath and UHA all top 5 teams in the state.