Indiana's dominance in the Indiana/Kentucky All-Star series has led to a lack of interest in the game.

There's an article in the Indianapolis Star that says The Star will probably continue to sponsor the game, but there are a lot of questions about whether The Star will be able to continue running the event.

The article goes on to say "if this series is going to continue, there must be some kind of arrangement that eases the burden on The Star, which, like every newspaper, has fallen upon hard times."

 

That's sad to see.

 

I have heard, and read, a lot of Kentucky excuses. Some are bizarre:

"We only had one week to practice". (So did Indiana)

"She was going against some big wingspan kids when they went to trapping."

"Indiana's guards were so much bigger than any guard we had on our team".

"They were big and quick and tough to blow by them on the dribble."

 

Well, what did you expect to find in an All-Star game?

 

Bottom Line:

I didn't hear, or read, anything about what Kentucky has to do to raise the level of their game.

 

Here's a thought:

Indiana had 3 of the top 4 teams in the Country this year.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/girls/news/story?id=4031870

 

All 3 teams are within easy driving distance from Northern Kentucky.

So, how many Northern Kentucky coaches went to see any of these teams play?

You know - Try to figure out what they are doing that could help your team?

Talk with their coaches. Pick their brain.

If the drive is too much effort - Cincinnati had a team ranked #11.

 

If a coach didn't go see these teams play - then why didn't they?

Do they think they already know all they need to know about basketball?

Do they consider it good enough to be "dangerous" in Northern Kentucky?

How much glory can there be in the fact that you have the best team in Northern Kentucky...

but never able to compete on a state level...

in a state that can't compete with Indiana?

 

I ask because I don't understand the mentality.

Bottom line ... Indiana is a bigger state with more urban, heavily-populated areas and emphasizes basketball, as we all know, so it should come as no surprise that they have an edge in talent.

 

Not that all three of the highly-ranked teams came from urban areas ... Ben Davis has an enrollment of well over 3,000 students. South Bend Washington has one of the top players in the country and Heritage Christian, I assume, has kids from all over metro Indy on their roster.

 

Just driving up there to watch them play isn't going to help coaches from northern Kentucky improve their teams. Talent plays a big role in all of that.

Also, in my opinion from having been around the game at various times, I feel that Indiana has always put much more of an emphasis on the game than Kentucky has. It doesn't seem to happen very often in Indiana that some of the state's best players don't attend the tryouts. It seems to happen here on a regular basis.

 

Heck, there was even reason to believe that a Division I signee didn't try out a few years ago on the advice of his high school coach, who had a big rivalry with and some personal animosity towards the all-star coach that year.

Bottom line ... Indiana is a bigger state with more urban, heavily-populated areas and emphasizes basketball, as we all know, so it should come as no surprise that they have an edge in talent.

 

Not that all three of the highly-ranked teams came from urban areas ... Ben Davis has an enrollment of well over 3,000 students. South Bend Washington has one of the top players in the country and Heritage Christian, I assume, has kids from all over metro Indy on their roster.

 

Just driving up there to watch them play isn't going to help coaches from northern Kentucky improve their teams. Talent plays a big role in all of that.

 

Almost 3,300 and they only have 3 grades, no Freshman.

The Northern Kentucky coaches can go watch a WNBA game and it's not going to make them a better coach, and even if it did it's not a coaching issue. It's not like the coaches in Indiana are way better and take players of the same talent level and make them the best teams in the country. Indiana has MORE talent and places more of an emphasis on basketball. Bottom Line.

The Northern Kentucky coaches can go watch a WNBA game and it's not going to make them a better coach, and even if it did it's not a coaching issue. It's not like the coaches in Indiana are way better and take players of the same talent level and make them the best teams in the country. Indiana has MORE talent and places more of an emphasis on basketball. Bottom Line.

 

Are you saying that Indiana kids are simply born with MORE talent? LOL!

 

Interesting theory.

 

I have to add this quote to my list of bizarre excuses!

More people equals more talent. Indiana has 2.1 million more people than Kentucky.

 

Indiana is way ahead in developing the younger kids in AAU and other developmental programs. High School coaches in Kentucky are at a big disadvantage by the time their kids get to High School level.

Almost 3,300 and they only have 3 grades, no Freshman.

 

OK, I it only takes a couple minutes to gather some quick facts.

 

Let's look at some of the biggest schools in Indiana:

 

Indianapolis North Central - Enrollment: 3,240

2009 W/L Record: 7/13

 

Lake Central - Enrollment: 3,141

2009 W/L Record: 12/10

 

Indianapolis Pike - Enrollment: 2,900

2009 W/L Record: 7/13

 

Portage - Enrollment: 2,600

2009 W/L Record: 13/8

 

Lawrence Central - Enrollment: 2,500

2009 W/L Record: 10/10

 

These are 5 of the 10 biggest schools in the state.

 

As you can see, just because a school is big does not mean they are going to be talented.

 

If the "Big School Theory" were to hold true, then how do you explain Iroquois (1,235) and Elizabethtown (700) in the state finals?

 

Where was Henry Clay (2,150)?

 

Iroquois is almost twice the size of Elizabethtown. Is that fair?

 

Elizabethtown (700) Thumped Henderson County (2,010)!

 

The "Big School Theory" is nothing more than a straw man fallacy.

More people equals more talent. Indiana has 2.1 million more people than Kentucky.

 

Interesting excuse.

 

The population figures are going to be approximately the same this time next year.

 

So, if you are going to adhere to this line of thinking.... should Kentucky just concede next years games now?

Interesting excuse.

 

The population figures are going to be approximately the same this time next year.

 

So, if you are going to adhere to this line of thinking.... should Kentucky just concede next years games now?

How many Class A size schools were in the Sweet 16 this year? Who was the last Class A size school to win the girls state championship in Kentucky? Population and school size do indeed matter.

Interesting excuse.

 

The population figures are going to be approximately the same this time next year.

 

So, if you are going to adhere to this line of thinking.... should Kentucky just concede next years games now?

 

Kentucky has never conceded the games. In fact last year, as you know, KY swept the Indiana squad. It is what makes it a great game.

 

Personally I went to see all the players not just to root for Ky. I have seen all of these players for years and it wasn't about who would win or who would lose. And that is why I plucked down my $20 and will do so next year as well.

How many Class A size schools were in the Sweet 16 this year? Who was the last Class A size school to win the girls state championship in Kentucky? Population and school size do indeed matter.

 

Lexington Christian (2007)

Lexington Christian (2007)

What about a public Class A?

Considering that this is a discussion about Kentucky schools competing with an Indiana All-Star team, lets take a look at the schools involved. For simplicity I'll limit the facts to public high schools only. The 50 largest schools in each of the two states are as follows.

 

Indiana

 

1) Carmel High School - Carmel, IN - Total Enrollment: 3916

2) Warren Central High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 3734

3) North Central High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 3393

4) Penn High School - Mishawaka, IN - Total Enrollment: 3268

5) Hamilton Southeastern High School - Fishers, IN - Total Enrollment: 3258

6) Lawrence North High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 2962

7) Ben Davis High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 2961

8) Lake Central High School - Saint John, IN - Total Enrollment: 2859

9) Portage High School - Portage, IN - Total Enrollment: 2595

10) Lawrence Central High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 2289

11) Merrillville High School - Merrillville, IN - Total Enrollment: 2275

12) Center Grove High School - Greenwood, IN - Total Enrollment: 2255

13) Jefferson High School - Lafayette, IN - Total Enrollment: 2214

14) Northrop High School - Fort Wayne, IN - Total Enrollment: 2196

15) Crown Point High School - Crown Point, IN - Total Enrollment: 2187

16) Noblesville High School - Noblesville, IN - Total Enrollment: 2155

17) New Albany Senior High School - New Albany, IN - Total Enrollment: 2135

18) Terre Haute North Vigo High Sch - Terre Haute, IN - Total Enrollment: 2082

19) Valparaiso High School - Valparaiso, IN - Total Enrollment: 2071

20) Jeffersonville High School - Jeffersonville, IN - Total Enrollment: 2069

21) Franklin Central High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 2058

22) R Nelson Snider High School - Fort Wayne, IN - Total Enrollment: 2056

23) Pike High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 2053

24) Kokomo High School - Kokomo, IN - Total Enrollment: 2044

25) Michigan City High School - Michigan City, IN - Total Enrollment: 2015

26) Avon High School - Avon, IN - Total Enrollment: 2010

27) Perry Meridian High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 2004

28) Huntington North High School - Huntington, IN - Total Enrollment: 1999

29) Homestead Senior High School - Fort Wayne, IN - Total Enrollment: 1996

30) Brownsburg High School - Brownsburg, IN - Total Enrollment: 1965

31) Laporte High School - Laporte, IN - Total Enrollment: 1956

32) Columbus North High School - Columbus, IN - Total Enrollment: 1947

33) Bloomington South High School - Bloomington, IN - Total Enrollment: 1939

34) Warsaw Community High School - Warsaw, IN - Total Enrollment: 1935

35) Elkhart Memorial High School - Elkhart, IN - Total Enrollment: 1883

36) Chesterton High School - Chesterton, IN - Total Enrollment: 1878

37) Terre Haute South Vigo High Sch - Terre Haute, IN - Total Enrollment: 1848

38) Elkhart Central High School - Elkhart, IN - Total Enrollment: 1834

39) Southport High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 1807

40) Castle High School - Newburgh, IN - Total Enrollment: 1753

41) Carroll High School - Fort Wayne, IN - Total Enrollment: 1713

42) Goshen High School - Goshen, IN - Total Enrollment: 1713

43) Mishawaka High School - Mishawaka, IN - Total Enrollment: 1676

44) Martinsville High School - Martinsville, IN - Total Enrollment: 1644

45) Floyd Central High School - Floyd Knobs, IN - Total Enrollment: 1625

46) Richmond High School - Richmond, IN - Total Enrollment: 1620

47) Mccutcheon High School - Lafayette, IN - Total Enrollment: 1615

48) Bedford-north Lawrence High School - Bedford, IN - Total Enrollment: 1606

49) William Henry Harrison High Sch - West Lafayette, IN - Total Enrollment: 1603

50) Decatur Central High School - Indianapolis, IN - Total Enrollment: 1589

 

Kentucky

 

1) Paul Laurence Dunbar High School - Lexington, KY - Total Enrollment: 2209

2) Henderson County Senior High School - Henderson, KY - Total Enrollment: 2186

3) Henry Clay High School - Lexington, KY - Total Enrollment: 2094

4) Lafayette High School - Lexington, KY - Total Enrollment: 2003

5) Pleasure Ridge Park Hs Magnet Career Aca - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1939

6) Eastern High School - Middletown, KY - Total Enrollment: 1895

7) Dupont Manual High School - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1890

8) Daviess County High School - Owensboro, KY - Total Enrollment: 1728

9) Seneca High School Magnet Career Academy - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1694

10) Ballard High School - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1689

11) Louisville Male High School - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1680

12) Butler Traditional High School - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1665

13) Creek High School - Lexington, KY - Total Enrollment: 1646

14) Madison Central High School - Richmond, KY - Total Enrollment: 1635

15) Central Hardin High School - Cecilia, KY - Total Enrollment: 1618

16) George Rogers Clark High School - Winchester, KY - Total Enrollment: 1614

17) Conner High School - Hebron, KY - Total Enrollment: 1612

18) Nelson County High School - Bardstown, KY - Total Enrollment: 1591

19) Larry A. Ryle High School - Union, KY - Total Enrollment: 1574

20) Shelby County High School - Shelbyville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1542

21) Campbell County High School - Alexandria, KY - Total Enrollment: 1521

22) Meade County High School - Brandenburg, KY - Total Enrollment: 1511

23) Boone County High School - Florence, KY - Total Enrollment: 1485

24) Greenwood High School - Bowling Green, KY - Total Enrollment: 1451

25) Marshall County High School - Benton, KY - Total Enrollment: 1447

26) Simon Kenton High School - Independence, KY - Total Enrollment: 1440

27) Fern Creek Traditional High School - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1430

28) North Hardin High School - Radcliff, KY - Total Enrollment: 1411

29) Apollo High School - Owensboro, KY - Total Enrollment: 1410

30) Southern High School Magnet Career Acade - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1379

31) Graves County High School - Mayfield, KY - Total Enrollment: 1354

32) Bryan Station High School - Lexington, KY - Total Enrollment: 1344

33) South Laurel High School - London, KY - Total Enrollment: 1337

34) Scott County High School - Georgetown, KY - Total Enrollment: 1332

35) Christian County High School - Hopkinsville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1322

36) John Hardin High School - Elizabethtown, KY - Total Enrollment: 1322

37) North Laurel High School - London, KY - Total Enrollment: 1293

38) Oldham County High School - Buckner, KY - Total Enrollment: 1270

39) Iroquois High School - Louisville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1253

40) Dixie Heights High School - Fort Mitchell, KY - Total Enrollment: 1250

41) Holmes Junior Senior High School - Covington, KY - Total Enrollment: 1247

42) Grayson County High School - Leitchfield, KY - Total Enrollment: 1232

43) Barren County High School - Glasgow, KY - Total Enrollment: 1212

44) Montgomery County High School - Mount Sterling, KY - Total Enrollment: 1208

45) Bullitt Central High School - Shepherdsville, KY - Total Enrollment: 1207

46) Whitley County High School - Williamsburg, KY - Total Enrollment: 1199

47) Southwestern High School - Somerset, KY - Total Enrollment: 1195

48) Woodford County High School - Versailles, KY - Total Enrollment: 1182

49) Scott High School - Taylor Mill, KY - Total Enrollment: 1161

50) Lincoln County High School - Stanford, KY - Total Enrollment: 1160

 

Total enrollment for Indiana's 50 schools is 108,258. Total for Kentucky's 50 schools is 75,069. Now consider that Indiana has more total schools than Kentucky and the numbers become even more disproportionate.

 

Obviously having a much larger talent pool from which to choose players is going to make a huge difference most years. You cannot make a credible arguement otherwise.

 

There is a reason that China and the United States win a lot of Olympic medals and Honduras and Bangladesh do not. Or perhaps it's just because the Honduran coaches are too lazy to travel to China to scout.

Are you saying that Indiana kids are simply born with MORE talent? LOL!

 

Interesting theory.

 

I have to add this quote to my list of bizarre excuses!

 

 

 

There are MORE kids in Indiana and the BEST athletes play Basketball because basketball is bigger in Indiana then in Kentucky. When you have MORE to choose from, you get BETTER quality (usually).

 

To say the same number of top caliber athletes play in Kentucky and Indiana is just not accurate. It's about the players, not the coaches.