broadcaster240

That's one of the "unintended consequences" of consolidation: more opportunities for kids in some ways (though not sports.) But when you lose "community" for your school, you lose a lot. I say sports. As SmallHoops pointed out above: with 7 high schools you have 35 starters in basketball and (if there are 15 varsity roster players each) a total of 105 on the basketball teams. With just Muhlenberg Central, you're down to 5 starters and a total of 15 varsity players. Instead of your school (& churches) being the center of community life in 7 towns, 6 of the 7 communities have lost a huge focal point. Rivalries that continually build interest no longer exist. No way the folks in Greenville and Central City can replace the rivalry between their two teams...with a Muhlenberg Central rivalry with ___ (you fill in the blank.)

This would make the first time the region tournament will have been in Henderson since 1968...when the Henderson City "Flash" was host. ("City" and "County" consolidated in 1976-77.) Henderson County has hosted a region tournament only once since its inception in 1954-55. That was in 1963 when the Colonels were in the 3rd region. They lost a first-round game to Henderson Douglass (the all-black school) in the first round that year. That was in the days when teams were not seeded for the region, and you could play a district foe at any time...depending on the draw. Indeed, perhaps a change of scenery will be good luck for the Colonels. They've not had much of that in tournament play.

Hard to believe, but it has been 16 straight years for District 8 to produce the 2nd Region champion. 7 times - Christian County 6 times - Hopkinsville 3 times- University Heights Last "outsider" to win was Madisonville in 2001. Henderson County last won in 1999.

Thanks Jim!

Hadn't heard that name, and looked up Jason's story in the C-J to get the scoop. Blake Stone is a 2001 graduate of Henderson County and has been an assistant with the Colonels for the past 10 years. Interesting hire.

Here is a link to the all-time Indiana teams, but I have never been able to find one listing all of the Kentucky All-Stars. I believe I saw a program (perhaps from the 1970's) that listed all of them, but don't have that now. IBCA/IndyStar.com: Annual Indiana versus Kentucky All-Star Games - Indiana Basketball Coaches Association | IBCA

You are right: didn't do one last year. And nothing so far this time.

I don't have Mr. Higgins complete track record, but he had a 69-26 won/loss record as head coach at Trigg County from 1999 through 2006. Sounds like an excellent addition to Craig's staff. 'Twould be fun to talk to Higgins after the season and ask him to talk about his feelings of leaving the principalship and returning to coaching...at the same school.

Not that it makes a hill of beans worth of difference, but the writer didn't include the 1997 figures in his story correctly...because of the Artose Pinner deal. From a media perspective, some coaches are great to work with--some are a bit more difficult. For the record, I always enjoyed interaction with Craig Clayton. He was my favorite for the Madisonville head coaching job in 1984 when Steve Tweddell left. He was passed up; took the head job at Todd County Central; went 8-3 and 9-3 and won the district each year; then went to Hoptown.

I thought this was an excellent article about the firing of Coach Gillespie...and a little of his background for those of you who haven't followed his story. Kudos to Chris Jung for his thoughts expressed in the Kentucky New Era (Hopkinsville.) COLUMN: How do we measure success of high school coaches? | Web | Kentucky New Era

If one of you guys has a whole britches leg full of money, go for it. I'm sure Mr. Bridgeman would be tickled pink.

This one has been available at Amazon for about $40. I just now looked it up and prices are over $200. Not sure what that's all about.

Jeff Bridgeman's "Kentucky High School Basketball Encyclopedia."

Lucky indeed!

For years, the media around press row all had a vote for the all-tournament team. Turned in the ballots at halftime of the championship game. Not sure who votes or when the "turning in" deadline is now. The "so many players from each team...depending on when they are eliminated"...is relatively new. It looked like: one player from each losing team through the first two rounds. Two players from each semi-final loser. Three from the runner-up. And ____ from the champion.

When we were broadcasting, we were always told, "You will know when we know." In other words, when they walk out of the locker room onto the floor at game time.

The KHSAA website says "Lamont" Taylor was coach at Fleming in 2015 and 2016. This year the coach's name is listed as "Matthew" Taylor. Same guy? If so, what name does he go by? If not, are they related?

Good stuff HB; thanks for posting. Glad you have something really enjoyable to concentrate on...all the while mourning the passing of your sister. May God bless you lots!

KHSAA website lists him as coach "Richard" Butcher. Does he go by that...or Dick? On another note...from the 25th District...how times have changed. Central was 13-16 this year and Shawnee 1-25. 'Twas a time when putting both Shawnee and Central in the same region seemed almost criminal...let alone the same district. Madisonville played them home-and-home in the 1970's--what a treat to broadcast. Don Parson's team would usually give them a battle...and come up on the short end of the stick. But what a treat.

You've got to think things will at least get more interesting. 7 of the 8 first-round games decided by double figures 5. Ugh. A broadcaster's nightmare.

Just now got an interesting email from Curtis Crye, an incredible historian from Eastern Kentucky. His query: "Would you know who was the youngest guy to coach in the Kentucky high school basketball tournament. Phil Pratt coached Knott County Central in 1980. He was 24 years, 8 months, 3 week and 2 days. Just 7 years out of high school." My answer to him included: "During World War II...when so many coaches, principals and even players went into the military...some high school players were designated as "coaches" during the season. There was a school in Webster County that had a student play, coach and "play in the band at halftime" according to the Madisonville sportswriter at the time. Unfortunately, I didn't write down which school nor the name of the "all-around" student." Can anybody beat Phil Pratt's "record" during peace time?

I still see Hardy at the State Tournament every year. When we were all broadcasting, he and Dale frequently sat near us on press row. Being from the other end of the state, we never heard them on-the-air, but enjoyed their company at the Sweet 16. Good guys. Is Dale still living?

If my memory is any good (or even close,) out entire school of 12 grades was 600. And the big boy school had 2,700 in the upper four grades.

Thanks for starting this thread, Smalls. Went to a tiny high school in the same "district" with one of the largest and most powerful basketball schools in that state. The opening tournaments frequently had 7-10 teams and we always were tickled to death when we could win a single game before bowing out. Probably one of the reasons I'm a Cubs fan...always cheering for the underdog.

Right you are, Train. My bad.