So how much longer before the reality of economics in today's economy sets in and forces consolidation to happen in the 15 and 16 Regions?

 

In the 15th Region, the only possible consolidations would be:

 

1) Paintsville going into the Johnson County system (can't see that happening)

2) Floyd County consolidating (Allen Central, Betsy Layne, South Floyd, and/or Prestonsburg)

3) Some combination of Belfry and Phelps

 

In the 16th Region, you might have:

 

1) Russell and Raceland moving in with Greenup County (can't see that) or joining each other

2) East and West Carter combining

3) Fairview combining with Ashland or Boyd

4) Rose Hill closing

When you look at the enrollment sizes, here is what each "small" school must overcome to advance to Rupp Arena. I'd say the eastern KY schools like Hazard wouldn't have the success they enjoy if they played elsewhere and had to consistantly get past the bigger schools.

 

Region 1

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 2

5A schools - 0

5/6A = 2

 

Region 2

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 1

5A schools - 3

5/6A = 4

 

Region 3

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 3

5A schools - 3

5/6A = 6

 

Region 4

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 1

5A schools - 3

5/6A = 4

 

Region 5

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 3

5A schools - 2

5/6A = 5

 

Region 6

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 3

5A schools - 3

5/6A = 6

 

Region 7

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 7

5A schools - 1

5/6A = 8

 

Region 8

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 2

5A schools - 4

5/6A = 6

 

Region 9

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 3

5A schools - 4

5/6A = 7

 

Region 10

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 2

5A schools - 2

5/6A = 4

 

Region 11

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 7

5A schools - 1

5/6A = 8

 

Region 12

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 0

5A schools - 4

5/6A = 4

 

Region 13

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 0

5A schools - 5

5/6A = 5

 

Region 14

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 0

5A schools - 2

5/6A = 2

 

Region 15

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 0

5A schools - 1

5/6A = 1

 

Region 16

Class 6A schools (based on football class) - 0

5A schools - 1

5/6A = 1

 

Is this a breakdown of teams that made it to the regionals?

Hazard is an independent city school that serves the city of Hazard. Elliott County has only 1 public high school that serves the entire county. Elliott also has a very small private christian school that has maybe 10 students 9-12.

 

What's the name of that small private school?

What's the name of that small private school?

 

Infinite Possibilities Christian Academy, I think. Someone closer to Sandy Hook may know for sure.

So how much longer before the reality of economics in today's economy sets in and forces consolidation to happen in the 15 and 16 Regions?

 

The 15th region is too spread out for any more consolidation. In the past 20 years the 15th has had:

 

Virgie + Dorton = Shelby Valley

Johns Creek + Mullins = Pike County Central

Elkhorn City + Millard + Feds Creek = East Ridge

McDowell + Wheelwright = South Floyd

 

The top three of those consolidations were all within Pike County, so you had 7 schools narrowed down to 3, and we still have Belfry, Phelps, and Pikeville in Pike County. The geographic area of the 15th doesn't really allow for any more consolidation.

 

So how much longer before the reality of economics in today's economy sets in and forces consolidation to happen in the 15 and 16 Regions?

In the county of Greenup: Greenup County, Raceland, and Russell are all very financially secure, and I don't see any school in Greenup or Boyd County consolidating. In Boyd County you have Ashland, Boyd County, Fairview, and Rose Hill. All the schools seem to be secure and strong. No one would be more surprised to see consolidation in these two counties then me.

 

Carter County needs two schools due to the size of the county.

 

And the rest of the counties in the 16th have only one school per county for the most part.

Infinite Possibilities Christian Academy, I think. Someone closer to Sandy Hook may know for sure.

 

You're right!

In the 15th Region, the only possible consolidations would be:

 

1) Paintsville going into the Johnson County system (can't see that happening)

2) Floyd County consolidating (Allen Central, Betsy Layne, South Floyd, and/or Prestonsburg)

3) Some combination of Belfry and Phelps

 

In the 16th Region, you might have:

 

1) Russell and Raceland moving in with Greenup County (can't see that) or joining each other

2) East and West Carter combining

3) Fairview combining with Ashland or Boyd

4) Rose Hill closing

Wishful thinking for some can't you feel the love.

In the county of Greenup: Greenup County, Raceland, and Russell are all very financially secure, and I don't see any school in Greenup or Boyd County consolidating. In Boyd County you have Ashland, Boyd County, Fairview, and Rose Hill. All the schools seem to be secure and strong. No one would be more surprised to see consolidation in these two counties then me.

 

Carter County needs two schools due to the size of the county.

 

And the rest of the counties in the 16th have only one school per county for the most part.

I think the most likely out of all of these scenarios would be Boyd absorbing Fairview, but that's unlikely. Fairview and Russell could also combine if an annex took place. Personally I think it would be a shame to combine them. Wish Wurtland and McKell were still around.