I'll ask this same question I asked on the girls side which led to some interesting discussion.

 

1.What is the enrollment of each school participating?

2.Did one of the larger schools win their region & prevent a true All A school from getting there?

The only two regional winners that seem like "larger schools" in my opinion are Henry County and Shelby Valley, and they aren't exactly big. In their championship games, Henry County beat Owen County (very similar in size) and Shelby Valley beat Prestonsburg (very similar in size). So I don't think any "little" school lost a title game to a "bigger" school.

Region 1 Murray-512

Region 2 Lyon Co.-345

Region 3 Edmonson Co.-637

Region 4 Clinton Co.-421

Region 5 Bardstown-534

Region 6 Shawnee-615

Region 7 Whitefield Academy-198

Region 8 Henry Co.-667

Region 9 NCC-462

Region 10 Calvary Christian-164

Region 11 Lexington Christian-447

Region 12 Danvillle-548

Region 13 Pineville-181

Region 14 Hazard-307

Region 15 Shelby Valley-593

Region 16 Elliott Co.-337

 

Since I graduated from Burgin--I wouldn't call Henry Co., Shawnee, and Edmonson County small schools.

Does it make any sense to have schools that are AA or some even AAA in football playing in this tournament? I think the whole set up is messed up.

I think it should be limited to teams under 500 students. This year we would of had 7 smaller "real A" schools get into the tourney. The number is too large for the amount of teams there are out there.

My initial thought on the topic of school size in the All A was too much whining from the smaller schools. But as I look at the enrollments, I do think they are pushing the envelope on size here. How do they decide the school size limit? I think 500 sounds like a pretty good number. How does that break down throughout the state? Would 500 or less be the bottom 1/3? I don't think schools in the top 2/3rds of enrollment should be in the All A.

They consider a school with 424 or less in grades 10-12 as Class A eligible. IMO it should be 424 or less in grades 9-12 or even 400 or less. That's why we see schools with 600 plus in the All A. If your AA or AAA in football how can you be A in basketball? Makes no sense to me IMO.

Edited January 30, 200917 yr by Billy Clyde
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This has morphed into something totally unlike what was originally envisioned. The intent of the All A has been totally lost.

They consider a school with 424 or less in grades 10-12 as Class A eligible. IMO it should be 424 or less in grades 9-12 or even 400 or less. That's why we see schools with 600 plus in the All A. If your AA or AAA in football how can you be A in basketball? Makes no sense to me IMO.

 

I have no problem with teams that are currently AA in football being in the All A. Current AAA football teams? Hmmmmm....I think that is where the line needs to be drawn.

This has morphed into something totally unlike what was originally envisioned. The intent of the All A has been totally lost.

 

As someone who has attended numerous All A regionals and state tournament, I would argue that while the "intent" has changed, it is still an amazingly fun tournament for all involved - no matter the size.

They consider a school with 424 or less in grades 10-12 as Class A eligible. IMO it should be 424 or less in grades 9-12 or even 400 or less. That's why we see schools with 600 plus in the All A. If your AA or AAA in football how can you be A in basketball? Makes no sense to me IMO.

 

This is no longer true. The new system is based on total enrollment 9-12 from the numbers reported to KDE the previous year. They then invite the smallest 125 schools. Not all schools accept the invitation. They do no pull any others in, so the total participating is less than 125. This is per my region's All "A" rep.

As someone who has attended numerous All A regionals and state tournament, I would argue that while the "intent" has changed, it is still an amazingly fun tournament for all involved - no matter the size.

 

Oh, I agree! But the All-A was supposed to be the "state tournament" for the tiniest of the tinies...the teams like Eminence, Paris, Monticello, Ludlow, Louisville Holy Cross, that faced the biggest odds - not just against the "bigs", but against almost everyone! Now...suddenly...we're finding teams that are 4-5x the size of their opponents playing in the all-A.

 

Still fun - but not what was originally envisioned. :thumb:

I think it should be limited to teams under 500 students. This year we would of had 7 smaller "real A" schools get into the tourney. The number is too large for the amount of teams there are out there.

 

I agree!

We go through this every year ...

 

Until this year, the All A Classic had never changed its enrollment requirements for entry into the tournament. The KHSAA changed the "Class A" designation long ago ... if there was an inconsistency on someone's part, it was the KHSAA.

As someone who has attended numerous All A regionals and state tournament, I would argue that while the "intent" has changed, it is still an amazingly fun tournament for all involved - no matter the size.

 

I totally disagree! & I wonder how many other kids sitting at home this week bored from cabin fever that got beat in the regions or districts by the AA or AAA schools would like to be in Richmond !!