gchs_uk9

Of the 15 schools that over time have combined and consolidated to get to Harlan County High School, only three teams ever played in the state tournament: Benham, first round losers in 1931 and 1935, and Cumberland, first round victims in 2003. I suspect there will be a good deal of cheering tonight from some old Evarts Bulldogs and Highsplint Ramblers; probably a lot of rooting from former Cumberland Redskins, Benham Tigers, East Benham Rams, Lynch Bulldogs, and Lynch West Main Pirates; some hooting and hollering from some past Cawood Trojans, Loyall Indians, Black Star Eagles, Hall Gamecocks, Cawood City Wildcats, Grays Knob Yellow Jackets, and Yancey Bulldogs; and a little familial excitement from myself, whose family left Wallins (home of the Purple Devils), almost a century ago exactly. Good luck to the Black Bears!

Both schools playing for their first state championship. Lyon County had not advanced past the second round before this season while Harlan County had only played one state tournament game in history, a first round loss in 2017. For the Lyons, they'll try to be the first Region 2 team to win it all since Christian County in 2011; Harlan County is looking to be the first Region 13 team to cut the nets since Clay County in 1987 (current 13th Region member South Laurel was still in the Region 12 when they won it in 2005).

His lack of success at Vanderbilt was odd, considering he's won big everywhere else. Seeing Jerry Stackhouse, who was also highly regarded, completely flame out at Vandy makes me think it is a Vanderbilt problem more than a coaching problem. I doubt Bryce Drew ends up at Louisville but I wouldn't be surprised if his name pops up at another bigger job real soon.

Grambling's first postseason tournament game victory since knocking off Missouri S&T in the first round of the 1976 Division II tournament.

At one point I think they were 19-5 and ranked in the top 25. However, they really tanked down the stretch, losing six of their last ten and only averaging 56 ppg during that set of games.

When the KHSAA went to the adjusted times for first round games, they chose to place teams from the 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th in prime time spots because of their location in comparison to Lexington - you'll get a nice crowd. The 10th is an oddity however: that makes perfect sense if it is Clark County or Montgomery County or Mason County, which are all relatively close to Rupp Arena. It does stink when the 10th region champion comes from northern Kentucky like Campbell County this season.

Besides games that pitted Louisville schools from the 6th and 7th region, I don't think it has ever happened (at least dating to the early 1930s when the state went to sixteen regions). No counties were split prior to Campbell/Brossart/Scott going to the 10th about 20 years ago. There have a been a couple split since then (Jenkins/Letcher) but none have advanced to the state tournament.

It is the first trip for both. I think Great Crossing's size will be too much for Spencer County, but I do hope the Bears put up a good performance.

I watched that game on YouTube that night. It was close for most of the first half and then Lyon County hit every shot in the third quarter and blew it open. Lyon was clearly the better team but the whole situation kind of snowballed on Adair.

I'm in the same boat as Massey. I'd say close for the first half and then the Rocks pull away in the second and win comfortably, but not a blowout.

I've always interpreted them as "fire marshal" numbers more than actual seats.

It is wild that he's been there for 40 years. They've had a lot of success, too.

Is Dayton a lock for the tournament no matter what? If so, there's definitely going to be a bid-stealer win the Atlantic-10.

The ability of college athletics administrators to bid against themselves and cost their programs millions of dollars is staggering. Why are you extending a guy who wasn't going anywhere?

He's been interim principal for eight years?

Parking for that event at Memorial Coliseum would definitely be a challenge.

This is the bane of new gymnasium design. I see it at almost every new school. It's almost like the architect has never sat in the upper deck of a high school game.

They haven't looked good for a month. Several ugly losses on their resume. I'm very interested to see what seed the Jayhawks get.

I hadn't seen Cincinnati until last night. I left thinking Skillings was very impressive and also kinda looks like Shane Battier except with more hair. Anyone else?

Interesting. I would assume they would cut into the concession stand end where all the open space is?

Hasn't Bowling Green hosted the NAIA Mid-South Conference tournament a few times in recent years? I'm assuming they have a 94-foot floor, shot clocks, etc. Obviously it will stay at Diddle Arena but Bowling Green seems more than capable as you said.

I think, size wise, Pulaski County is the best spot for the boys and Lincoln County is the best spot for the girls (just because the girls tournament typically doesn't draw quite as big of crowd).

All different, all good coaches. I'm not sure there is a home run hire out there this cycle but I do think any of these four would be an excellent choice for Louisville and would succeed sooner than later.

They'll never move that from Murray State, though, will they?