The Season: Kentucky Bluegrass Basketball (2004) Narrated by Ashley Judd. It was an ESPN production and no longer available. Focused on High School basketball in Ky and was very well done. One used copy is available on Amazon.

 

I have a copy. It's an outstanding documentary. I watch it about once a month. Really captures the small-town, mountain, Cinderella aspect of Kentucky basketball.

 

They do a special section on Red Bird in the early 2000's. They scored over 100 points on a regular basis with the top 6 players all relatives, and all looking pretty similar. They were all about 6'1, and each had wispy mustaches.

I have a copy. It's an outstanding documentary. I watch it about once a month. Really captures the small-town, mountain, Cinderella aspect of Kentucky basketball.

 

They do a special section on Red Bird in the early 2000's. They scored over 100 points on a regular basis with the top 6 players all relatives, and all looking pretty similar. They were all about 6'1, and each had wispy mustaches.

 

Would be very entertaining to see this video.

 

The Season: Kentucky Bluegrass Basketball (2004) Narrated by Ashley Judd. It was an ESPN production and no longer available. Focused on High School basketball in Ky and was very well done. One used copy is available on Amazon.

 

The Season: Bluegrass Basketball

Kentucky is a state driven by the love of high school basketball. One of three states, including Delaware and Hawaii, Kentucky has a non-class system. Broken down into 16 Regions, with 4 Districts each, a total of 274 schools, of which each and every one have the same chance to compete for the coveted title of State Champion. It is a battle between Catholic, Christian, public, private, city, and county schools. It is the dream of all those who compete to make it to the final stage and play in front of thousands at the University of Kentucky's Rupp Arena. The chance to bring back a banner and trophy to display in one's gym adds to a passion that has helped create identities and promote pride in all towns, regardless of size and location. Historically the high school has been the center of each town. A place where generations of families attend, people gather, and all root for their team. Yet, unlike Indiana and North Carolina, other states where the love of basketball runs deep, writer Lonnie Wheeler, author of Blue Yonder, says "Basketball in Kentucky is personal."

 

Kentucky has always had an underdog complex, dating back as far as the depression. Basketball became a way to compete with the rest of the country. In 1928, the small town of Carr Creek started a phenomenon in which Adolph Rupp continued to build on. Carr Creek, a mountain team whose members consisted of 8 cousins lacking proper uniforms, defied the odds and made a legitimate run for the State Championship only to lose in a battle drawn out over four overtimes. The entire state was in frenzy. Basketball became a religion.

 

Our documentary, three 1-hour shows, will follow mostly mountain schools in the first hour. The journey of Paintsville, a school of just 235 kids, was the last small school to win the State Title in 1996. As a region favorite they attempt again to challenge those disbelievers that a small school can succeed.

 

OJ Mayo, a precocious 7th grader, at Rose Hill Christian stokes the fire with local rival, Ashland Blazer. It is a story of the small religious school making waves in a town where there had only been one school to root for in years past.

 

Lexington Catholic, coached by former player Danny Haney, and their rise from obscurity 10 years ago. Trying to overcome the animosity of the state fueled by recruiting rumors.

 

Traditional power Male High School in Louisville who started the season ranked #3 nationally.

 

And North Hardin with its snake bit coach Ron Bevars who lost the State Championship on a buzzer beater 20 years ago.

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[TD]Along the way we will examine how the State Tournament and it's Davy and Goliath aspects have kept basketball in the forefront of a state that prides itself on thoroughbred horse racing, tobacco, bourbon and coal mining. Basketball is the common thread.

 

The last 2 hours will rely heavily on the District, and Regional portion of the tournament that leads us to the Sweet Sixteen and the crowning of a new State Champion.

 

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paNDA, if I can find my dvd of it, I will get you a copy as soon as I can. Finding it is the question right now as my stuff is in storage at my mom's right now...lol.

In the mountains.... Knott County Central. Old hanging scoreboard in the middle. Tons of seating.

 

Clay County and Perry County Central have some really nice gyms as well. Haven't seen the new Harlan County gym in person, but the pictures look spectacular. Watched the 2001 Regional Tournament in the dome at Cawood and thought it was quite a unique place.

 

Loved both of those places. Lots of character.

"Great Balls Of Fire" is the one that talks about college hoops history in Ky. The piece on K-State's heyday in the early '70s is pretty neat.

campbell county's middle school and high school gyms have a lot to offer... and i can't wait to see the new facilities at the high school...

Welcome to BGP! But you may need to visit some other gyms?

I will never forget playing in Augusta with the balcony. Just had That old gym smell and the locker rooms made you feel like you were literally in the 50's.

paNDA, if I can find my dvd of it, I will get you a copy as soon as I can. Finding it is the question right now as my stuff is in storage at my mom's right now...lol.

 

Thanks, would be cool to see it.

Loved both of those places. Lots of character.

 

In Re: Knott County Central, here's a picture of their gym I found on my phone from the Mountain Classic a few years back. Good view from one end zone, but still doesn't do the place proper justice. Also, you can tell from the left side of this picture, there is an end zone on the far baseline that is usually packed with students.

 

Oneida Baptist Institute was mentioned earlier, and it definitely has quite the throwback feel. Very tiny, stuffy gym that gives you a Hoosiers feel. Brick exterior with large windows at the top of the gym that are sometimes cracked open to cool it down. Full seating in wooden chair backs on one side, then a small row of bleachers behind the home bench that their students usually fill up on the other. Gives you a real Hoosiers type experience seeing a game there.

 

In Re: Knott County Central, here's a picture of their gym I found on my phone from the Mountain Classic a few years back. Good view from one end zone, but still doesn't do the place proper justice. Also, you can tell from the left side of this picture, there is an end zone on the far baseline that is usually packed with students.

 

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Not many gyms have that hanging scoreboard. Very impressive indeed.