St. Matthews Boy

Forgetting Reggie Bonnafon??

Strong history but the success hasn't been the same since McCracken County came into the picture in 2013-14. If my counting is correct, the Mustangs have a 27-9 lead in the series with the Blue Tornado. That includes three Mustang wins this past season. PT hasn't been to Rupp since 2010 but just played for a regional title just two months ago. Had some good younger pieces. One of the best jobs on the market this cycle.

I prefer to keep the traditional postseason format. While it's not always even, as in the case with CAL and Eastern in the 7th this past season, I always revert to the argument that to be the best you must beat the best. That is true in the district, region, and state tournaments. Every win is earned. The 7th region is going to super regional in baseball this year and the 6th started that last year.

Here's what I've gathered from a quick search on Riherds. Not a ton of success with just one winning season. But Warren East doesn't have too much history of success as a program, overall, outside the late 80s and early 90s with a few trips to the Sweet 16. The Raiders won just ONE game this year. Were in 14th district with the other Warren Co. schools until a few years ago. At Metcalfe, Combs stays in the 4th region but moves to the 16th district where the opponents are Clinton County, Cumberland County, Monroe County, and Russell County. Can he find more success with the Hornets? Best of luck to coach Combs and Metcalfe County. Combs at Warren East: 2014-15: 11-15, lost in 14th district semis to Warren Central 2015-16: 14-15, lost in 14th district semis to Warren Central 2016-17: 13-16, lost in 14th district semis to Bowling Green 2017-18: 16-13, lost in 14th district first round to Warren Central 2018-19: 11-18, lost in 14th district first round to South Warren 2019-20: 6-21, lost in 14th district first round to South Warren 2020-21: 4-10, lost in 14th district first round to South Warren Overall: 75-108 (0.408 win percentage)

Eighth region has had a champion since 1998, which is when Scott County was aligned there. The Cardinals were runner-up in '99 Sixth region's last champion was Fairdale in 1994. Doss was runner-up in 2016. that's 28 and 32 years.

w it is rural, too, but you have a traditional power in Paducah Tilghman, several large county schools that have had really good teams over the years, yet no winners. I'm not saying they should have won a bunch but they seem the least likely of the four on this list. Correction: PT was runner-up in 2002 so that's the 1st last title game appearance. The region has been represented in the semifinals 10 times since North Marshall's title in 59. I agree, it is the most surprising. And I think would be the first to be ended of those long droughts.

Wow! Big news out of the Purchase today. Mayfield has the most wins of any team in KY and third most (I believe in the nation). Very rich tradition and they have won in multiple eras. Third best job this cycle, in my opinion, behind Male and X.

Did some digging recently out of curiosity. Since 2019, five different schools have cut down the nets in Rupp Arena as state champions with five different regions being represented. The 12 teams that have played in the title game over the past six tournaments represent nine different regions. The 10th and 4th regions are most represented with two title games alone featuring teams from those regions. 2021: Highlands (9th) - runner-up Elizabethtown (5th) 2022: George Rogers Clark (10th) - runner-up Warren Central (4th) 2023: Warren Central (4th) - runner-up George Rogers Clark (10th) 2024: Lyon County (2nd) - runner-up Harlan County (13th) 2025: Great Crossing (11th) - runner-up Bowling Green (4th) 2026: George Rogers Clark (10th) - runner-up St. Xavier (7th) Here's the longest droughts by region: 14th Region: 70 years last champion and title game appearance - 1956 Carr Creek 1st Region: 67 years last champion - 1959 North Marshall, last title game appearance - 1983 Carlisle County 16th Region: 65 years last champion - 1961 Ashland, last title game appearance - 2011 Rowan County 13th Region: 39 yeaes last champion - 1987 Clay County, last title game appearance - 2024 Harlan County

Congrats to Zane on the commitment to Buffalo. Has been a joy to watch him grow and develop through his three years at Trinity so far. An exciting senior fall ahead for him and that senior class.

Will be interesting to see who gets this job and what kind of candidate it attracts. Tudor, an alum, had been at Atherton for 12 years and had some competitive teams relative to what the "perception" of that program has been. Their 16-11 record this past year was the program's most wins in 30 years. Tough district with Waggener, Seneca, and Trinity. In the immediate, the Ravens lose five of their top-six scorers, which includes Jeffrey Johnson who leaves as one of the school's all-time leading scorers (might be the top - but not sure) with 1,202 career points. Football program has been re-energized in recent years and has begun having more success.

Congrats to Jayden. Chris Mack is getting a good basketball player and a better person. Can't wait to see how he and Feldhaus do under Mack in Tampa. Go Rock! Go Bulls!

Male

Very hard to tell right now for sure being the season just ended. But I think you have to look at Male in terms of brining back the most talent at the moment with Mitchell and Hillerich being the headliners. X and Ballard will both be solid once again for sure. Those would be my top three at the moment. Cal has some of the best talent I can remember them having. As for my Trinity Shamrocks, Garrison Gilvin vastly improved at the guard position and led the Rocks in scoring this past season. Jaiden Bartlett and Camden Jackson were great and showed a ton of growth as a sophomore and freshman. Some good young talent jumping up from F and JV after this season as well. The loss of Jayden Johnson, Thomas Hornek, as well as Xavier Cosby will hurt but I believe that Coach Saxton and the Rocks will be in the mix once again.

From a little quick research (1998-2026): 2019 Trinity 2015 Owensboro 2014 Covington Catholic 2011 Christian County Each of those teams lost district but won state.

I know Trinity did so in 2019.

WOW! What a great game that was between those two teams. Congrats to Coach Cook and the GRC Cardinals. Great display throughout.

After a close first quarter, Trinity outscores Atherton 53-26 in the final three periods to advance to the district title game. Trinity gets the winner of Seneca/Waggener.

First round will be hosted by district champions. After that, all games at Valley.

Big win for the Rocks. Best and most complete game they have played all season. They shot the lights out and hit 16 threes. Believe they shot 55-60%. Defense was great as well.

Rocks comeback falls short.

Jayden Johnson's return is huge for Trinity but he will take a week or so I'd say to get back into rhythm when it comes to game mode since he hasn't played a true game since December. He played very well with 20 points tonight and showed a ton of confidence right out of the gate. Stellar sophomore Jaiden Bartlett out with illness. Senior Center Thomas Hornek out with injury sustained in Cov Cath game. Both were missed tonight for sure. Trinity started rocky out the gate with missed shots and some poor shot selection. Regrouped in the third but they just couldn't make those effort plays needed to sustain a run. Couldn't stop or even slow down Jeremiah Jackson in the first half. Was a big factor for sure. Hope we see these two meet again.

Cosby did not play Tuesday versus Seneca. Hate to hear Hornek go down the way it sounds like he did. Hope he's okay.

Both teams have suffered tough losses to good teams following the LIT so both will have some extra energy to get the big win. Male's sophomore big man Hillerich is out for the year with a torn ACL. How does that impact this game? At Male so I'll go with the Bulldogs by four.

Was a good game between these two. J-Town took control late and their three-point shooting, plus rebounding, helped them tremendously down the stretch. Trinity seems to look better every time out but the youth and inexperience still shows with this group. Johnson's return on court will be huge. Watching him on the bench over the past week, you can see his leadership.