The Mayor of Meatville made a point in the Ashland/Fairview game thread that Ashland is not one of the top teams in the state in his life time. I have no idea exactly how long his life time has been, so we're going to with his suggestion and just use the last 25 years as a guide line. I have to agree with the Mayor's initial assessment that Ashland isn't considered one of the mighty programs in the state anymore. The Mayor listed some of the top programs in his life time. He mentioned such teams as Scott County, Mason County, Male, Ballard, Lexington Catholic and Clark County. The first five teams he mentioned I whole heartedly agree with, but I need some convincing on Clark County. Clark County has a great history there's no doubt about that, and they currently have one of the best coaches in the state IMO in Coach Scott Humphrey. I have no idea how many regional titles Clark Co. has won in the past twenty-five years, but I was wondering how others see Ashland and Clark Co. matching up the past 25 years. I honestly don't know how many regional titles Ashland has won in the past 25 years either. I know it's not many. If I had to guess I would say they've probably only won 6 or 7 tops, to go along with their 1996 State Runner up finish. I'm very interested to hear others thoughts.

Paducah Tilghman and Marshall Co. out of the first region come to mind. They usually have consistant programs year in and year out and seem to make a little noise in Lexington when they come.

Help me out here Goldie. Make the case for your Cards.

Help me out here Goldie. Make the case for your Cards.

Sorry I can't.... GRC hadn't been to the state tourney in almost 20 years when they won 2 years ago. Now they had been in the finals several times....seemed to get beat by just a basket or two.

Throw Highlands in the mix. I know they have made several Sweet 16 appearances in the last 25 yrs. One trip to the Finals with Glaser/Smith/Lorenzen in late 90's. Neltner took them their during his tenure and earned Mr. Basketball. In the late 80's they were led by Scott Draud the top scorer in the state 2 yrs in a row I believe. Kenny Shields was an icon there, Messmer took care of business with those late 90's and early 2000 teams. Would NKY folks agree or disagree?

I checked the KHSAA records, Ashland won their last title in 1961, GRC won their only title in 1951. I remember Clark Co. defeating Mason Co. in back to back regional title games in 68 & 69 then they didn't return until the mid eighties, when the Mason Co. Clark Co. rivalry was really hot. If you want to list top programs, Henry Clay and Lafayette are tied with 6 championships each, the most of any school. Henry Clay's last title was in 83, and of course Lafayette won in 2001.

Last 25 years of 16th Regional winners

From 1983-2008

 

Ashland: 92, 93, 96, 2001, 2002

 

Boyd: 84, 90, 94, 95, 98, 99, 2000

 

East: 86

 

Elliot: 2007, 2008

 

Greenup: 83, 85, 91, 97

 

Morgan: 2004

 

Rose Hill: 2003

 

Rowan: 87, 88, 89, 2005

 

Russell: 2006

 

Ashland, Boyd, Greenup and Rowan were the top programs in the 16th Region over the last 25 years.

I have no statistical information to support my claim but I think that most people across the state would say that Clark Co. has had more success over the past 25 years. Comparing regional titles is like apples to oranges due to the strength of the respective regions. If I'm not mistaken, and I very well could be, isn't Mason and Clark in the same region?

 

My point is and remains that the days were Ashland is a major player on the state level are no longer. Not a slap on them but a declining population and the emergence of large county school such as Clark Co has been major contributors.

A couple of things. 1. I was amiss in not mentioning Henry Clay. 2. Based on Syndrome X post one would have to say that a comparison between Ashalnd and Boyd migh be more appropriate.

 

Based on past records if we include Ashland amoug the mighty in the state the we need to include Central City.

I have no statistical information to support my claim but I think that most people across the state would say that Clark Co. has had more success over the past 25 years. Comparing regional titles is like apples to oranges due to the strength of the respective regions. If I'm not mistaken, and I very well could be, isn't Mason and Clark in the same region?

 

My point is and remains that the days were Ashland is a major player on the state level are no longer. Not a slap on them but a declining population and the emergence of large county school such as Clark Co has been major contributors.

 

I have to agree about Ashland not being a major player on the state level like years ago. You can list many resons too blame. I can remember my dad talking about playing at Ashland, used to be a big deal, to travel to Ashland or have them come to your place to play. Also, except for the LIT in Louisville, the AIT was the holiday tournament to play in and if you won it you were considered a top team in the state.

I have no statistical information to support my claim but I think that most people across the state would say that Clark Co. has had more success over the past 25 years. Comparing regional titles is like apples to oranges due to the strength of the respective regions. If I'm not mistaken, and I very well could be, isn't Mason and Clark in the same region?

 

My point is and remains that the days were Ashland is a major player on the state level are no longer. Not a slap on them but a declining population and the emergence of large county school such as Clark Co has been major contributors.

 

That is true and probably could be said about a lot of teams, I was just showing them as a top regional program not state contender. I must have mis read the thread. Go back a few more years and you would see that Ashland in either 80 or 81 was ranked nationally, have they fallen from their throne as a year in year out power house? Yes. All great Empires collapse over time.

I have to agree about Ashland not being a major player on the state level like years ago. You can list many resons too blame. I can remember my dad talking about playing at Ashland, used to be a big deal, to travel to Ashland or have them come to your place to play. Also, except for the LIT in Louisville, the AIT was the holiday tournament to play in and if you won it you were considered a top team in the state.

 

Great points. I remember a recent commercial for the Paramount Art center that said that the Paramount was build because Ashland was considered a "boom town." I know that is a little off subject but I think it supports your point. Things change.

 

FWIW, I grew up in the Ashland area and think it is a great area but it has shrunk considerably over the past 40 years and that in itself is a tough thing to overcome.

I can only quess part of the past 25 yr results for the 16th Region, so here is what I know:

16th Region Champions:

1983 - Greenup County

1984 - Boyd County

1985 - Greenup County

1990 - Boyd County

1994 - Boyd County

1995 - Boyd County

1996 - Ashland

1999 - Boyd County

2000 - Boyd County

2001 - Ashland

2002 - Ashland

2003 - Rose Hill

2004 - Morgan Co

2005 - Rowan Co

2006 - Russell

2007 - Elliott Co

2008 - Elliott Co

 

So, I would guess Boyd County or Ashland has been the top program in 16th Region for the past 25 yrs.

 

Ashland is definetly the powerhouse of all time in the 16th Region.

Could anyone ever rate the top 25 programs 1-25 and feel comfortable about it? I dont think I honestly could. Theres been some schools have very succesful runs over the decades.

I have no statistical information to support my claim but I think that most people across the state would say that Clark Co. has had more success over the past 25 years. Comparing regional titles is like apples to oranges due to the strength of the respective regions. If I'm not mistaken, and I very well could be, isn't Mason and Clark in the same region?

 

My point is and remains that the days were Ashland is a major player on the state level are no longer. Not a slap on them but a declining population and the emergence of large county school such as Clark Co has been major contributors.

 

A couple of things. 1. I was amiss in not mentioning Henry Clay. 2. Based on Syndrome X post one would have to say that a comparison between Ashalnd and Boyd migh be more appropriate.

 

Based on past records if we include Ashland amoug the mighty in the state the we need to include Central City.

 

To answer the first question, Clark and Mason are in the 10th region together. Also in reguards to Henry Clay, they were really strong in the 70's with James Lee and Co. but their 5 other championships came between 1918 and 1924. Were some real good battles between Bryan Station, Henry Clay, Lafayette and Tates Creek in the 70's district and regional tournaments.