broadcaster240

I can remember the late 1980's when Travis Ford and company were on a 50-game home court winning streak in Madisonville. The Maroon band was top notch, loud, and played almost all rock 'n' roll oldies. They divided the band into three groups and they alternated nights at the gym, but it was still loud. They sat in one corner of the home side balcony, and I heard several comments about the impossibility of trying to visit with someone. On the other hand, our broadcast position was on the floor and it sounded great. Of course, we were wearing headphones and could adjust the crowd mic to any level we wanted. I wouldn't have wanted to try the balcony. I sympathize with you "old-timer."

I've gone through all my files Sumo, and don't have a thing to add. Now...if you ever need names from folks a little farther West....

Dirk.

It was Edmonson that beat Shelby County in the semi. The following is my recollection...which is somewhat corroborated by my scoresheet and post-game notes. I had heard stories of shenanigans at the state tournament from much earlier years, but this was the first (and by far the worst) of any I actually saw. Edmonson led by 3 and Shelby County forced the ball to the hoop...hoping for a quick basket, or even better, perhaps a 3-point play. (Remember, this was before the 3-point basket.) As the clock ticked down Shelby missed the shot, but Norris Beckley got the rebound and was fouled with (arguably) 4-6 seconds to play. The official timer (who shall go nameless here...it was his last game at the officials' table) let the clock run completely out after the whistle. Beckley made both free throws to make it a 53-52 final, but the Rockets of Tom Creamer never got a chance to make anything else happen. Everyone was dumbfounded.

Three or four years after that 1976 final...when Edmonson County (with Phil Rich and Chester Bethel) beat Christian County (with Curtis Parker and Michael Reese) by a score of 74-52...I asked Christian County's athletic director how the Colonels could beat Louisville Shawnee (Durand Macklin) and Henry Clay...then lose that badly to a team that was such a decided underdog. He told me it was all about the match-ups...and that he thought Edmonson would have won eight out of ten from his team. It was the first time I had heard the term "match-ups," but I surely would liked to have seen a re-match of that final. The good thing (from my perspective) was that it put to rest any serious classification talk.

jim, we were looking forward to seeing Grant County at the Sweet 16 that year. The hoopla had been building all year and got to 34-1 after winning the region, but then we saw the draw...and realized they would have to play Lafayette, which was 32-1...and the tourney was at Rupp Arena for the first time. It was a fabulous tournament...with the average winning margin less than 3 IF you don't count the games involving Lafayette and Christian County. Lafayette's average winning margin was 18. If I'm not mistaken, Junior Johnson transferred in from Scott County for his Senior year, and that made the Generals just awesome. The only team to beat them that year was Tates Creek in the district final. Lexington had 3 teams in the Top 15 that season (according to the Lit-Ratings.)

BOKC, Michael Scearce did, indeed, play at Purdue. He was first or second off the bench in the 1980 season when the Boilermakers made the Final Four. Drafted two years later by the Pacers.

There is a relatively new group called the Sports History Foundation that is seeking to re-live some of Kentucky high school sports' biggest stories. They have already produced full length videos of the 1982 unbeaten Madison Central baseball team and the 1991 Nicholas County gals basketball team...both state champs. Their next project is Jock's 1979 state champs at Lexington Lafayette. Word from group leader David Mills is that the coach is "not doing well" and they would like to get production done as quickly as possible. Sports History Foundation

Couldn't happen. Except for some phenomenal drive...and incredible organizational, promotional, and sales skills by people like Dayton's Stan Steidel, the All A wouldn't have happened in the first place. Not a fan of the tourney, but recognize the accomplishment...the event that it has become.

I meant to say "Thanks barrel."

I stand corrected. Thank barrel.

The team we covered played in a one day, "10 teams - 5 games" December event several years ago in Louisville...and the out-of-town radio stations were all charged $50 (or $75...can't remember which.) The explanation was that there are so many things for people in Louisville to do, they have to charge. And since fans from out in the state follow their teams more closely, they know some will stay home and listen rather than travel to the city. That was before school webcasting, but I'm not surprised that they would be charged just the same...for the same reason. Disappointing nonetheless.

That used to be a common practice. Anywhere from 3 to 15 teams would opt out for a couple of years...so they could schedule teams with which they could be competitive. If you are in a monster district, makes a lot of sense if your program has been suffering greatly. I think I would rather have a competitive season...maybe 3 or 4 wins...against teams I knew were of equal caliber...than to go 1-9 or 0-10 just so I could make the playoffs...and get another whopping loss to finish the season. Also was interested in the "Tackett's fault" comment. Does anyone really think he does ALL of the KHSAA's paperwork?

For two or three years, while in high school, I bought the biggest piece of poster paper I could find and made a bracket that started with the region tournaments and had every score through the semi-states and championship. Never got ambitious enough (maybe because I couldn't find a big enough piece of paper) to do all the sectionals too (what Hoosiers call the districts.) I came across them a few years ago and threw 'em out. Never could have guessed it would be the forerunner of a website with Kentucky's high school history in it.

Oh yeah, a different kind of playing surface. McLean County (3rd Region) was unique in a couple of respects: the floor (though I don't remember it's composition,) and there was an enclosed pressbox at the top of the gym on the visitors' side. I would move one of the ceiling tile and hang a crowd microphone over the front of the box so it didn't sound like you were broadcasting from inside a...um...well, a box. And boy did it get hot in there. Our town took two radio stations, and the other guys would set up near the doorway where they could get some air. At least we were never bothered by the crowd. The only other pressbox in a gym that I remember was at Trigg County (2nd Region.) It hung over the crowd on one side. Fans never bothered you. It took awhile to get up the steps and inside with all of the equipment, but once everyone was seated, things worked out pretty well.

In the 2nd region, there are Lyon County & Trigg County (District 5) and Christian County (District 8) that I can remember. Was only in Crittenden's new one once; never been to Ft. Campbell or University Heights. Dawson Springs is one of my favorite gyms: seating in a "U" (with a wall at the end,) all one level, not a bad seat in the house, general entrance at one end...and you pass the concession stands and restrooms on your way in. KHSAA says it will hold 1,200. Love it!

They did awfully well back in the day in the 12th Region. From 1956-74 there were 7 championships and 1 runner-up...mostly with coach Joe Harper.

You can go back quite a ways with this one. 1995-96 Allan Cox 1993-94 George Hatcher 1988-92 Don Hettich 1984-87 Bob Louden 1977-83 Steve Tweddell - undefeated team last season; lost to Mark Higgs & O'boro in playoffs 1976 Jim Meyer 1972-75 Bernard Brant 1967-71 Dennis Sexton - two state runner-ups 1954-66 Bill Welborn - undefeated team in 1956

Madisonville's Badgett Athletic Complex is listed at 5,000...same as Hoptown's Stadium of Champions.

School Directory | Kentucky High School Athletic Association

I would be willing to bet those and tons of other large gyms were built before they introduced class basketball. Golly I hated to see that. I came from a town of 800, and we had a 2,800 seat gym...built in 1950. I'm told they filled it up with what was called a "four-way tourney" each New Years Day for several years. And there were still large crowds until consolidation in 1965.

Either Hopkinsville or Madisonville hosted the 2nd region tournament from 1969-2014 and 1937-1958. When first opened (1969,) the new gyms would hold 5,000 at Hoptown and 4,000 at Madisonville. Both were modified in the 1990's to comply with OSHA seating rules. The KHSAA now says seating capacity at Hopkinsville is 4,800 and at Madisonville 3,800.

I think my favorite was my first one: 1974. I knew a little about Kentucky high school basketball from a distance...but up close and personal, it was unbelievable. As mentioned earlier, Darrell Griffith, then a sophomore at Male. Jack Givens at Bryan Station. Robert Miller, the 6'10 center from champion Louisville Central. Kenny Higgs from Owensboro. The jumping jacks of Warren East. And "my" team was there. It was the 2nd straight year of an all-Louisville final, and the 2nd of 3 straight with an all-city final (Male vs. Henry Clay in '75.)

Audio recaps of the championship games in 1983 and 1985 at this link. 11. State tournament championship game audio recaps

Madisonville (14) Region 2 38 & 39 (Coach Ray Ellis) 48 & 49 (Coach Gene Tate -- Frank Ramsey era) 52 & 53 (Coach Gene Tate) 73 & 74 (Coach Don Parson -- included Steve Ashby) 82 & 84 (Coach Don Parson -- included Joe Curry) 87, 88 & 89 (Coach Don Parson -- Travis Ford era) 2001 (Coach James Davis -- included Michael Haney) Best finish: 1984 - semi-finalist. Lost to eventual champion Logan County 68-66. Best record: 1984 32-2