This was in the Courier Journal last Wed. after the great story in the Lex. Hearld. Here it is:

 

I'm a fan, too. I eagerly consumed yesterday's excellent Page One story in the Lexington Herald-Leader about the home-grown basketball team from Elliott County High School (total student body, 320), which currently is 24-2 and No. 2 in the C-J Litkenhous ratings. The Lions from ECHS could be the next Indians from Milan High School (enrollment, 121), who won the 1954 Hoosier prep championship and provided the inspiration for the movie "Hoosiers," which I loved.

 

But I was deeply disappointed to see Elliott County coach Rick Mays insist, "A lot of people not athletic-minded won't like what I say, but in my lifetime there hasn't been anything bigger happen in this community than this right here."

 

Senior guard Ethan Faulkner said much the same thing: "This community has never had a team come through here like this. ... This is what they've been waiting on, and they're living the dream with us."

 

Certainly, the big news is not in the classrooms at Elliott County High School, where the combined 2007-08 overall accountability index score was just under 70, a full 12 points below the statewide average of 82. ECHS started with a baseline score 10 points lower than the statewide average in 2000, so the latest scores show the gap is widening.

 

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...y=COLUMNISTS08

Edited February 23, 200917 yr by bugatti

Thanks - could you post the link as well?

Here is the great response made by State Rep. Rocky Adkins in today's Courier Journal.

 

David Hawpe's column Wednesday, entitled "Don't check the box score for the right values," was inaccurate and distorted, and as an Elliott County High School graduate, former basketball team member and current state representative of Elliott County, I took great offense.

 

Of all the insulting and denigrating articles Hawpe has written about Eastern Kentucky -- and there are too many to mention here -- this is his most outrageous yet.

 

The premise of Hawpe's column was the "grimly serious" importance Kentuckians place upon high school athletics.

 

www.courier-journal.com/louisville-editorials

Edited February 23, 200917 yr by bugatti

I think this article was in very poor taste and I commend Rocky Adkins for not letting it go and responding to it. Funny it came out after Elliott beat Ballard.

Interesting...

Rocky with the jab-jab-hook combo :thumb:

Good story - could you post the link as well?

 

Good story?

 

I didn't appreciate the fact that the author left out encouraging statistics--and included numbers that a school has NOTHING to do with (tax assessments determine local funding).

 

I see the successful basketball season as a stepping stone for future successes at Elliott County. Students in the district now understand that they CAN compete on the state level (not just in sports). When a poorly written newspaper column continually bashes an area (and points out areas where work is needed--but provides no suggestions), then the work done to foster a positive self-image is reversed.

 

I am disappointed with the article and the columnist.

Better get his facts straight before he goes shooting down Elliott County students and athletes. From what I read Rep Adkins scored a slam dunk on this guy with his response!!!

Yes he did it did it was a great reply.

Not surprised he would put his own twist on the story. He will lose credibility for his writings in the future.

There is a major plus that will come from the basketball success at Elliott Co.

The younger kids that are witnessing their teams play will be encouraged to play and work hard . They may not be as successful but it will help the kids and the school system to be more successful in the future.:thumb:

Better get his facts straight before he goes shooting down Elliott County students and athletes. From what I read Rep Adkins scored a slam dunk on this guy with his response!!!

 

Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! This was a better knock-out than Clubber Lang!!!!!!!!!

Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! This was a better knock-out than Clubber Lang!!!!!!!!!

 

Good one I am still laughing!:clap:

Good story?

 

I didn't appreciate the fact that the author left out encouraging statistics--and included numbers that a school has NOTHING to do with (tax assessments determine local funding).

 

I see the successful basketball season as a stepping stone for future successes at Elliott County. Students in the district now understand that they CAN compete on the state level (not just in sports). When a poorly written newspaper column continually bashes an area (and points out areas where work is needed--but provides no suggestions), then the work done to foster a positive self-image is reversed.

 

I am disappointed with the article and the columnist.

 

 

It looks to me like my post says:

 

Thanks - could you post the link as well

 

 

I'm one of the biggest Elliott supporters on the board:taz:

It looks to me like my post says:

 

Thanks - could you post the link as well

 

 

I'm one of the biggest Elliott supporters on the board:taz:

 

The link for Rocky Adkins Op-Ed is:

http://www.courier-journal.com/louisville-editorials

The link for Rocky Adkins Op-Ed is:

http://www.courier-journal.com/louisville-editorials

 

You have to admire someone in Rocky's position that cares so much for his county.