425 students in grades 10-12 make a school eligible for the All-A Classic. That breaks down to 123 schools or 44% of all schools statewide.

 

But since freshman are eligible to play, lets look at 9-12 enrollment numbers. Only 10 of the 16 boys teams in this year's state tournament and 9 of the 16 girls teams have an enrollment of under 500 students. Schools with 9-12 enrollment of under 500 students make up 37% of the teams in the state.

 

In the boys bracket, the game with Heath (627) and Barbourville (190) represents the biggest enrollment gap of schools. To use a football analogy, the 437-student difference would be the equivalent to putting Sheldon Clark and Pineville in the same football district. Or Hopkinsville and Heath in the same district.

 

The average 9-12 enrollment for the boys teams in the tourney is 447. For the girls, its 456. If you were to rank them in terms of enrollment, it would fall somewhere between 93 and 95 on the enrollment ladder. That total would be higher if not for UHA (boys) and St. Patrick (girls) who both have less than 130 students.

 

Even more interesting is that four of the schools in the boys tournament will be 3A football teams this fall. And yes, I understand that the KHSAA and All-A use different enrollment guidelines.

 

I like the All-A Classic. I don't downplay it's importance, but I wonder if it is still the All-A Classic or if it has become the All-2A Classic with some small private schools thrown in.

 

Thoughts?

Actually, the enrollment guidelines have been changed. Now, the smallest 125 schools in the state are eligible to play in the All A Classic.

Actually, the enrollment guidelines have been changed. Now, the smallest 125 schools in the state are eligible to play in the All A Classic.

Interesting. The member schools list on the All-A Classic web site lists 123 eligible schools.

Interesting. The member schools list on the All-A Classic web site lists 123 eligible schools.

That may come after knocking out Kentucky School for the Deaf and Kentucky School for the Blind, I'm not sure.

That may come after knocking out Kentucky School for the Deaf and Kentucky School for the Blind, I'm not sure.

 

I would think the 125 number definitely includes Kentucky School f/t Deaf. I know KSD participated in the first couple 12th Region All A's, but they were normally conflicting with the Mason-Dixon Tournament, which is a tournament for around 15 southern deaf schools that usually runs around the same time as the regional. Considering KSD can't really compete in the All A but are annually competitive in the Mason-Dixon, it only makes sense that they would choose to participate in the latter.

The answer to the original question, in my opinion, is no. I'm thinking more along the lines of 100 schools.

Actually, the enrollment guidelines have been changed. Now, the smallest 125 schools in the state are eligible to play in the All A Classic.

 

Just curious what is the enrollment of the biggest school in that bunch of 125?

Just curious what is the enrollment of the biggest school in that bunch of 125?

I don't know what the exact figure is, but two schools from this part of the state, Heath (627) and Trigg County (633), have to be among the biggest. Christian Academy of Louisville (637) is back in it this year.

Just curious what is the enrollment of the biggest school in that bunch of 125?

Edmonson County at 672

I don't know what the exact figure is, but two schools from this part of the state, Heath (627) and Trigg County (633), have to be among the biggest. Christian Academy of Louisville (637) is back in it this year.

 

Is that total enrollment 9-12? Do all boys school have to have less than boys/girls schools? I know CovCath only had 496 in grades 9-12 last year. Holmes was only about 32 schools behind Christian Academy last year with 789 in 9-12 and their enrollment is dropping every year. Their enrollment based on the smallest 125 schools could make them eligible in a few years.

All-A bases theirs on 10-12.

 

Mine for argument purposes was 9-12 because freshman are allowed to play. I never understood the 10-12 reasoning.

 

My enrollment totals are 9-12

All-A bases theirs on 10-12.

 

Mine for argument purposes was 9-12 because freshman are allowed to play. I never understood the 10-12 reasoning.

 

My enrollment totals are 9-12

I'm pretty sure the All A Classic uses 9-12 numbers now. The change was made about two or three years ago because consolidations were reducing the number of schools that were eligible to play in it.

All-A bases theirs on 10-12.

 

Mine for argument purposes was 9-12 because freshman are allowed to play. I never understood the 10-12 reasoning.

 

My enrollment totals are 9-12

 

Did some middle schools years ago go from grades 7-9 with high school being grades 10-12?

Maybe that is the reasoning?

Did some middle schools years ago go from grades 7-9 with high school being grades 10-12?

Maybe that is the reasoning?

A few decades ago, yes, but not anymore, at least until McCracken County consolidates.

Edmonson County at 672

Ironically, in my opinion, Edmonson County is why we don't have a class system in KY HS basketball. They improbably won the State tournament in 1976 when the topic was really hot and being pushed state-wide.