The A-Town Avenger

Of the schools you mentioned lets take it on case by case basis Elliott County: is a small town school that has their kids believing and playing together as a team as soon as they seem to learn how to walk. With no other sport that is competitive on any level every kid growing up near Sandy Hook is dribbling a basketball. So there is no drama or infighting with multiple sports and their coaches. I can't say that is the case everywhere else, especially at good ol' Ashland. Morgan County: This is a school much like Elliott where basketball is the focus. It's also a school that has benefited recently from convenient transfers that have bolstered their chances. This is no knock on Coach Perry and the great job he has done in building a program. Rowan County: The Vikings are not far from one of the only areas of the state that continues to grow in Lexington-Fayette. I was once a resident in Rowan County and I can tell that there is more job opportunity there than the Ohio River Cities areas of the 16th Region. Thus the chance to keep families and their student athletes is greater. With all of this said, I agree there is no reason as to why Ashland should not be competitive for a Region title year in and year out. There are many factors as we both have laid out. The bottom line is the current coach I believe has the right mindset to handle the reigns, I just hope the vocal alums have patience.

In my opinion go with a veteran who can bring some stability to the program, then allow him to step aside after a few years to someone who can carry on. With that said who would be the veteran coach of choice?

Sal such is the breaks and the life of a coach...nevertheless I give Coach Biggs credit for motivating his kids and leading them through a tough regional tourney.

No doubt, I have never questioned Coach Biggs and his ability to lead a team...I may be in the minority amongst some Ashland folks.

I'll be the first to say that the issue with Ashland goes beyond a coach. Much of Northeastern Kentucky high school athletics has been forever changed due to the economic geography changes. The talent pool of athletes in all the old traditional schools of power in the 16th Region (Ashland, Boyd County, Greenup County) is never going to be what it once was. I wish Coach Biggs the very best, speaking as a Tomcat alum I really believe that the expectations and reality are 2 separate issues in Ashland. This is an issue that will continue to plague Ashland athletics. With all of that said, lets not put aside that the talent situation that Coach Biggs walked into at Mason is dramatically different than Ashland. As it's been said you can have all the x's and o's, but sometimes it comes down to the Jimmy's and Joe's.

Should be a great opening round game of district play, I'll go with the boys from West Liberty in this one...but wouldn't be shocked to see it go the other way.

Yes, without a doubt love him or hate him Ward knew how to win and this was when the 16th Region was by far a better region with much more talent. The 16th Region on the whole pales in comparrison to the 80's, 90's and really the first few years of the 2000's. Ward was a polarizing figure, but bottom line is he created a culture of winning and it was expected.

Mcpapa through out the 80's and 90's GC pretty much owned their district and won 4 region championships when the 16 Region was a much more talent rich area.

Not apparently anymore Mcpapa, it once was I think. Like I said it used to be a premier spot in the 16th Region, but that all ended well over a decade ago.

As an outsider looking in the GC Basketball program has pretty much been in flux for well over a decade now. This loss is just an embarrassing example of the downfall of a program that was once a perennial region contender. The program needs a stabilizing force leading it that is not afraid to tell the various outside forces that try to influence the program where to get off. From what I hear from longtime GC supporters they've just become resigned to the fact that this is what Musketeer Hoops is now. I guess the next step will be the small circle of decision makers to put Merle Kidwell the former Russell head coach and current GC assistant into the big chair. As far as I am concerned as long-time 16th Region observer this isn't the answer either, his track record doesn't really warrant a job as big as GC, but then again maybe he'd fit considering GC Hoops isn't what it once was. Best of luck to the kids playing at GC, you deserve better.

Those kids at Greenup weren't playing LL, they were playing on elite travel teams. So that point is not exactly valid.

Not that my opinion matters to the folks in GC, as I have to worry about my Tomcats and their new coach...but to me it's not always about talent, cultivating talent is what separates good coaches from top tier coaches. In my opinion that is what went on with Ward when he was the coach there and what has not happened since. Hey, just one guys opinion who really has no vested interest, if you guys think Kidwell is the missing key to making this happen more power to you.

From my understanding after speaking to a few people that we'll just say is in the know...Ashland made overtures too a few candidates, but was turned down by them all. I guess it's a sad state of affairs when the Tomcat job is just not coveted, maybe those who stated as such are right and Ashland just isn't a worthy destination for a top-notch coach with experience.

I'm just going to say that this is an underwhelming hire, but I will support the Tomcats, I wish Howell the very best.

Explain to me what exactly has Kidwell done in his coaching career that excites the GC crowd about adding him to your staff? This is not a knock on Kidwell personally, but the reality is his track record aside from a good run as the Lady Devils coach is not exactly earth shattering. It seems that GC's program overall is still living under the spector of it's past and can't seem to find a true program builder. Of course being that the parental influence in the fanbase seems to want to run off anyone who takes the reigns. The reality is maybe Coach Ward deserves a badge of honor for being able to survive about 2 decades in the insanity that is GC Basketball. I wish the best to my friends in GC, it would be great to have GC as a top notch program again.

Yes, I would agree that MC at this point is a better job than coaching the Tomcats.

From what I have been told Bolden declined the offer.

Much respect for Coach Buchanan, I had the chance to speak to him on a few occasions a total class act all the way...I got to know his father as well when I spent a year teaching alongside of him, he too is a great guy. Best wishes to Coach Buchanan as he is making his way back home.

Great pick up for the MSU Eagles and Coach Sean Woods...here's to hoping that he can continue building up my old alma mater.

I would agree Mason County overall is a school district that is as solid as any out there. As far as basketball: it's a competitive but winnable region, great support/top notch facilities, and close enough to a stronger economy in Northern Kentucky (one of the few areas the state consistently does grow).

I know I just read about the Kentucky-Indiana series struggling, seems that this game that doesn't always get the same fanfare is doing pretty well for itself going into it's 24th year. Pretty solid rosters for this years contest it looks like as well. Looks like the 16th Region is represented well on the girls side, not so much on the boys as that really is expected since our region on the boys side is pretty weak overall. For those interested the rosters can be found on this link: 2015 Boys Rosters - Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Basketball Game

Seems to be all quite on the Tomcat front, which to me is worrisome. Here's to hoping something breaks soon.

I know that there is a little buzz around the idea of Ashland Kittens coach Bill Bradley taking over the boys program, I for one think that this would be a great hire. With that said, Bradley may have one of the better jobs as a girls coach in the area and may have no interest.

As far as building a program to win the 16th Region year in year out, I would imagine it's much easier to compete for that now than say it was 20 years ago. If people remember it was not that long ago that 3 largest schools Ashland, Boyd, & Greenup were once not only top schools in our region but respected through out the state. I agree that the economic shift has hurt all 3 schools and the region as a whole, but there is no reason why Ashland shouldn't be competing for the 16 Region title every year.

Oh I agree Westwood1 that it is no longer as attractive a coaching job without the economic backing it once had with the major companies in the backyard, but on the whole it is still a premier coaching spot for the Eastern half of the state. Then again, you may be on to something that this portion of the state is just not attractive for most coaches to relocate to.