Have you ever talked to any of the kids on a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL team from the class system that have said, they didn't deserve to be state champs and wish they wouldn't have won it?

 

Or was it just the adults that you have talked to?

I have not, nor do I care to.

 

I love everything about the high school state basketball championship in Kentucky. It is a fabulous venue and model.

 

In a year when the smallest classification high school won the state championship in Kentucky, I think the few in favor of multiple champions for basketball have even less of an argument than they might have had in past seasons.

I have not, nor do I care to.

 

I love everything about the high school state basketball championship in Kentucky. It is a fabulous venue and model.

 

In a year when the smallest classification high school won the state championship in Kentucky, I think the few in favor of multiple champions for basketball have even less of an argument than they might have had in past seasons.

 

I disagree. How often does this classification win at state?

 

While the kids at 49 other states get to experience multiple state champions, we stick with one so that a bunch of adults can convince themselves that KY does it right. That is all this is. Massaging adult's egos.

 

I will GUARANTEE you that the other kids in other states that have won state championships do not think that Ky has the best system.

 

And I would say that no kid who won a state football championship this past year feels that their ring/title is watered down and don't consider themselves state champions.

Is this not the function of the All A tournament?

Is this not the function of the All A tournament?

 

1) Not a sanctioned KHSAA State Title

2) Whole bunch of other schools out there that are not Single A.

I disagree. How often does this classification win at state?

 

While the kids at 49 other states get to experience multiple state champions, we stick with one so that a bunch of adults can convince themselves that KY does it right. That is all this is. Massaging adult's egos.

 

I will GUARANTEE you that the other kids in other states that have won state championships do not think that Ky has the best system.

 

And I would say that no kid who won a state football championship this past year feels that their ring/title is watered down and don't consider themselves state champions.

 

How many high school-aged kids have the ability to take the long view? A better way to ask them would be this: Would you rather play for a state championship in front of 20,000+ (as much as 40K in the final years of Indiana's one-school championship) people as opposed to the couple thousand who watched you?

How many high school-aged kids have the ability to take the long view? A better way to ask them would be this: Would you rather play for a state championship in front of 20,000+ (as much as 40K in the final years of Indiana's one-school championship) people as opposed to the couple thousand who watched you?

 

How about would you rather be a state champion or not even make the state tournament losing out to the school that has 1,000 or more students than you?

I disagree. How often does this classification win at state?

 

While the kids at 49 other states get to experience multiple state champions, we stick with one so that a bunch of adults can convince themselves that KY does it right. That is all this is. Massaging adult's egos.

I will GUARANTEE you that the other kids in other states that have won state championships do not think that Ky has the best system.

 

And I would say that no kid who won a state football championship this past year feels that their ring/title is watered down and don't consider themselves state champions.

 

 

That's what watered down state titles do.

That's what watered down state titles do.

 

Not at all. Holding up that what they do is right and what the other 49 states do is wrong, is massaging adult ego's.

 

Holding up what they do is right and collegiate sports does not even do is massaging adult ego's.

 

Holding up what they do is right and professional sports does not even do is massaging adult ego's.

 

And ironically, most of the time, it isn't even adults who have kids playing. Just something for them to say that KY is better than everyone else.

That's what watered down state titles do.

 

And btw, go ask any kid who won a state football title this past year if they feel less about their state title because an adult feels it is watered down. See how they feel.

How many high school-aged kids have the ability to take the long view? A better way to ask them would be this: Would you rather play for a state championship in front of 20,000+ (as much as 40K in the final years of Indiana's one-school championship) people as opposed to the couple thousand who watched you?

 

As a former player, I'd rather play in front of 15-20K (I wouldn't have seen the floor but I'd rather be bench capt in front of that many). As a fan I still would rather have the opportunity to catch David vs Goliath as well. Actually in '91 we were ranked in the top two of the 9th all season long and happened to get beat by David (Holy Cross) and I'm sure they relished playing in the Sweet 16 and made it to the semis that season before losing to eventual champion Tates Creek.

How about would you rather be a state champion or not even make the state tournament losing out to the school that has 1,000 or more students than you?

 

Yeah, that happened when I was in high school; Oldham County before it split was once one of the largest schools in the state, whereas I had all of about 60 people in my graduating class (only about half actually got their diplomas signed, however). Taught me a pretty good lesson that life's not fair and not everybody plays by the same rules. Maybe more kids could stand to learn those lessons earlier as well instead of feeling like they should be rewarded just for showing up.

It is easier to pull off a "little guy" beating a "big guy" in basketball because you only use about 10 players - even your smallest school could potential have 10 players - especially if that school doesn't offer a lot of other sports.

 

My reason for changing up the Sweet Sixteen has more to do with the fact that some regions have several teams that are state tourn worthy and have a heck of run just getting out of the region, and some teams get to the Sweet Sixteen by virtue of the region they are in. Wish you could do something like the NCAA - some get invited based on season, some get to go based on conference/region. If you like basketball, can you imagine what kind of crowds that would draw and you would truely be crowning the state champion because the best of the state would be playing the best of the state. Go back a few years and compare who played at Rupp with those that didn't get to play.

 

I also have no problem with leaving it like it is - I just don't think the Sweet Sixteen winner just be called the State Champion- they have only won a very cool tournament - period.

 

And yes - six classes (six state champions) in football is too many - no reason not have about three - small, medium and large would be fine. I can't forsee a time (might happen, but would be unusual) when a small school would beat a large school.

Yeah, that happened when I was in high school; Oldham County before it split was once one of the largest schools in the state, whereas I had all of about 60 people in my graduating class (only about half actually got their diplomas signed, however). Taught me a pretty good lesson that life's not fair and not everybody plays by the same rules. Maybe more kids could stand to learn those lessons earlier as well instead of feeling like they should be rewarded just for showing up.

Preach on brother Beavis.:thumb:

Seems to me that Ballard High School would probably argue for classification in basketball at this point. They could have been state champion instead of runner up this season.

Seems to me that Ballard High School would probably argue for classification in basketball at this point. They could have been state champion instead of runner up this season.

Isn't that the truth!

 

Great point.