It depends on your definition of "special" ...

 

Elliott was a unique team, given their story and style of play and the fact that those kids hail from a school that has never been a real factor in Kentucky basketball.

 

As far as their success and accomplishments, I don't know that they're any more "special" than some other small-school teams of the last 20 years.

 

I'll agree with that, to be honest Elliott County accomplished a lot of things in the regular season and dominated a weak 16th region, but when it comes down to it, they never won an All-A title or a state title. So they are not the greatest small school story in Kentucky History. I can appreciate the fact that Ethan, Evan and Jon were all home-grown Elliott Countians and were what rejuvenated a small community that had no real state-wide recognition before those boys began to play.

 

In the grand scheme of things, people that are not from or closely associated with Elliott County basketball will look back at EC basketball and say: "they had a great run, but never got it done"

Brewers in 1948, Cuba in 1952, and Carr Creek in 1956. These are small schools who came out of nowhere (therefore, true Cinderellas) to win state championships. These three are special teams who are true legends in Kentucky high school basketball history. Elliott County accomplished a lot in the weak 16th Region but nothing elsewhere. Absolutely nothing else. They were good and they were a novelty but they were not special and were and are certainly not legendary.

 

We should give them their just praise but we should be careful with the excess and inapplicable accolades.

Brewers in 1948, Cuba in 1952, and Carr Creek in 1956. These are small schools who came out of nowhere (therefore, true Cinderellas) to win state championships. These three are special teams who are true legends in Kentucky high school basketball history. Elliott County accomplished a lot in the weak 16th Region but nothing elsewhere. Absolutely nothing else. They were good and they were a novelty but they were not special and were and are certainly not legendary.

 

We should give them their just praise but we should be careful with the excess and inapplicable accolades.

 

Ding ding ding!!! You've nailed today's secret word.

 

Today's secret word was novelty!!!

 

Let's show him what he's won:

 

:deadhorse:

Brewers in 1948, Cuba in 1952, and Carr Creek in 1956. These are small schools who came out of nowhere (therefore, true Cinderellas) to win state championships. These three are special teams who are true legends in Kentucky high school basketball history. Elliott County accomplished a lot in the weak 16th Region but nothing elsewhere. Absolutely nothing else. They were good and they were a novelty but they were not special and were and are certainly not legendary.

 

We should give them their just praise but we should be careful with the excess and inapplicable accolades.

 

Great post.:thumb:

Okay. I read the posts. Now, just what exactly makes them a "great" team. As I said, they were a novelty. They were a good human interest story. People are always looking for a new "Hoosiers". Thus, they got coverage. Many adjectives do not apply to them and great is certainly one of them.

 

Great teams win championships. Elliott County, although the tournament favorite in the eyes of many, won nothing.

 

Give them the credit they deserve. However, don't try to create a legend where there is none outside of Sandy Hook and its suburbs.

 

They are a really nice, feel-good human interest story but that's it.

 

Totally agreed.:thumb:

I think this horse has been beaten enough.