CKSportsFan

By the way CKSportsFan, sounds like you may have a familiarity with NHC. We play them there Feb. 5th.

I work that night (yes, my schedule is made out wayyyyyyy in advance).

I'm torn by NHC.

I want them to have success. At the same time, when they tried joining the KHSAA, it didn't go well. And when NHC tends to do well in KCAA State, it speaks volumes of the KCAA talent level when NHC, coming off solid seasons, was getting waxed by 5th Region bottom feeders.

The religious school to watch in Hardin County is St. James Regional Catholic (currently K-8). Has plans for a high school and plenty of space in prime real estate.

Hearing if St. James goes the high school route -- Elizabethtown Catholic ran the 5th Region in the 60s and 70s -- Bethlehem could close. Elizabethtown High/Independent would take a HUGE hit, because many doctors/lawyers pay tuition to send their kids there. Bethlehem may even close as archdiocese would prefer having a catholic school in Elizabethtown and not Bardstown. Central Hardin would lose some kids to St. James.

Many of the area's best high school volleyball, swimming, tennis and soccer kids have come from St. James.

Why some of those schools don't join the KCAA and/or KCSAA I don't know. They have girls volleyball, soccer, track, golf, baseball, boys and girls basketball. Heck North Hardin even had a football team, don't know if they still do, but they found teams to compete against.

 

I think they would be much better off and would be able usually to compete on a much more level playing field athletically speaking. Unless there is some sort of benefit I'm not aware of for them to belong to the KHSAA...only one I could think of would be helping to draw/keep kids there for athletic purposes. And if that's the case, it doesn't seem to be working anyway.

North Hardin Christian (NHC) dropped football a few years ago. Football experiment lasted two years.

NHC has cross country, golf, basketball, soccer (coed), baseball/softball, volleyball, cheerleading. Since lacrosse is still a club sport, they could add lacrosse and compete against other local schools if they wanted. Same for boys' volleyball and ice hockey (since the KHSAA hasn't taken over those sports, yet).

KCAA doesn't offer tennis, wrestling, bowling, archery, swimming at least, so that might keep some small religious schools in the KHSAA. Plus, a lot more closer schools.

Although, if several KHSAA schools dropped to KCAA AND the KCSAA/KCAA merged, you could have a very solid Kentucky Independent Athletic Association (KIAA or Kentucky Independent Athletic Conference aka KIAC).

If they only have 24 boys in the entire high school, then the attitude toward athletics should be "Let's join the KCAA."

Trinity can't play Highlands Latin or Holy Angels or Immaculata due to the KHSAA vs. KCAA status.

The Berea tourney was an event for small schools and I'd say Whitefield applies. While Red Bird is tiny, Whitefield is far from huge. Would be a 1-A football team, if it had a football team.

However, I'd also argue:

- Christian Fellowship (Benton/Marshall County/WKY)

- Louisville Whitefield

- Red Bird Christian

- Whitesville Trinity

- Paducah Community Christian

need to join the KCAA. They don't because KHSAA offers more sports and there are closer teams to play.

They should because they'd be far more competitive.

North Hardin Christian briefly joined the KHSAA and found itself getting pounded by the Fort Knoxes and the Cavernas of the world.

With many people saying Etown is the best in the state in girls basketball this year, (and I am not disputing this), did anyone see this game and have an update of how strong Blackman is. Did Etown just have one of those games where nothing went their way.

Blackman is really, really, really good.

E'town blitzed (formerly) nationally ranked Conway Arkansas the night before.

Blackman is like top five in the country in every poll.

Unranked Louisville Eastern beat ranked Louisville Mercy last night.

Also, pretty good chance E'town loses this weekend. HOWEVER, Friday's game is against the No. 9 team in the country and Saturday's game is against the No. 1 team in the country.

Even if E'town goes 0-2 in Tennessee this weekend, not sure E'town should fall below teams who are playing cupcakes the first two weeks of the season.

Just a warning for those who think E'town is struggling if it loses early. Not the case. E'town is playing nationally ranked teams with 3-4 D-I players on each team. Shouldn't fault E'town for challenging itself like that.

(Kind of like in football when people hopped off the Louisville Central and Louisville Trinity bandwagons early even though 6-A Trinity was playing out-of-state powerhouses and 3-A Central was playing 5-A and 6-A programs).

Trinity has 8 wins over teams that are better than the best team Dixie has beaten.

This could be where that "eight wins over teams that are better" is coming from:

calpreps.com

Rank School State League Division W-L League W-L Division W-L Rating Schedule Strength Opponents' W-L

1 Trinity (Louisville, KY) team preview trend Kentucky 6A District 4 6A 9-5 1-2 (3rd) 5-2 59.4 47.6 134-44

WINS:

#175 Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) (36-27),

#176 Male (Louisville, KY) (38-31),

#180 Indianapolis Cathedral (Indianapolis, IN) (31-19),

#320 St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) (9-3),

#426 Cocoa (FL) (35-32),

#585 DuPont Manual (Louisville, KY) (14-3),

#697 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, PA) (30-6),

#803 Meade County (Brandenburg, KY) (48-0),

#3704 Henderson County (Henderson, KY) (55-7),

LOSSES:

#32 Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, OH) (17-14),

#37 Carmel (IN) (10-7),

#49 Ensworth (Nashville, TN) (21-14),

#176 Male (Louisville, KY) (35-34),

#320 St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) (35-21)

3 Dixie Heights (Edgewood, KY) team preview trend Kentucky 6A District 6 6A 13-1 4-0 (1st) 9-0 51.7 22.9 95-77

WINS:

#968 Kenton [simon] (Independence, KY) (36-10),

#968 Kenton [simon] (Independence, KY) (24-0),

#1464 Ballard (Louisville, KY) (48-21),

#1781 Beechwood (Fort Mitchell, KY) (48-21),

#2356 Cooper (Burlington, KY) (38-8),

#2678 Ryle (Union, KY) (35-24),

#2678 Ryle (Union, KY) (46-21),

#2824 Campbell County (Alexandria, KY) (43-0),

#3432 Newport Central Catholic (Newport, KY) (34-13),

#3693 Turpin (Cincinnati, OH) (27-19),

#6126 Boone County (Florence, KY) (38-7),

#7730 Tates Creek (Lexington, KY) (46-18),

#7730 Tates Creek (Lexington, KY) (43-6),

LOSSES:

#1965 Covington Catholic (Park Hills, KY) (41-7)

So what's your problem with the privates? You said it; now you have to supply details, to say the least.

1) When there was a proposed public/private split a few years ago, it was Meade County's superintendent leading the charge in Lexington at the annual meeting.

2) Meade used to, although has relaxed it recently, that it couldn't schedule private schools in any sport. Then was changed that it couldn't play AT private schools (didn't want them making money off Meade). Finally got rid of it all together, I think.

Why not? It is centrally located, plenty of parking and lodging available. A renovation that will include box suites, turf, etc. What is the problem other than it won't be full?

One of the arguments about Papa John's Cardinal Stadium was that it's too big for the finals.

Commonwealth is much bigger than PJCS, so that should be a factor there, too.

I don't think it really matters who requested the change. I think it still puts parents of the away team at a disadvantage if they work until 5 or so.

1) More folks off this particular Friday compared to any other Friday of the season.

2) When you're a parent and your team is playing on the road, you get used to leaving earlier than you do for a home game.

Yeah the weather, that's it. The temperature might be 2 degrees higher. It's ridiculous. As someone who actually played sports, why disrupt your own routine when you're the favorite? Someone needs their head examined. I thought that Highlands was above these type of gimmicks.

No week is like Thanksgiving week, especially when you're out of school Wednesday, Thursday and on game day itself.

The routine, compared to the previous 16 weeks (2 weeks of preseason, 11 weeks of regular season, 3 weeks of playoffs) is already out the window.

And it's not like playing at 6 should be a big deal for the opponent. You can leave any time you want with school not in session. And you'll get home at a decent time.

I think you see it more at the municipal level where there are large urban school systems that will have a city field to host big games between rivals and major playoff games.

Kind of like what JCPS did with the new gym at Louisville Valley, as there's no way the Valley wrestling, basketball and volleyball teams are filling that thing up on a nightly basis.

Hardin County Schools ALMOST did that with John Hardin. Original plans -- which were scrapped, if folks couldn't tell -- called for a 5,000-seat (not bleacher) college floor with wraparound seating for what was going to be called the HCS Civic Center.

Instead, got a gym barely bigger than North Hardin's with no bathrooms (got to go to the cafeteria), no permanent concession stand (go to a table ... in the cafeteria) and visiting locker rooms are in a crowded hallway outside of the gym.

Fantastic idea.....in theory.

If you want to put it in Elizabethtown (seen as centrally located, easy access to I-65; 31-W/Dixie Highway; Bluegrass, Western Kentucky and Lincoln Parkways):

1) Elizabethtown Sports Park. Already has plenty of things in place. Would have to take out the field on the hill and take the two main turf fields out of commission for a bit, but I'm sure the city would love an actual championship facility at the stadium instead of just a really nice turf field.

2) Behind White Castle. If you're coming South bound on I-65, it would be on the LEFT when you get to Exit 94 (hotels, Cracker Barrel, Roadhouse, Wendy's, Shoney's, Ruby Tuesday, etc). If you're coming northbound, it would be on the right after you get off the exit. For those coming west on the BG Parkway, it would be less than 2 miles after you get to Exit 94 (first 65 exit after leaving Bluegrass Parkway). There's like 100 acres of undeveloped land back there.

3) Ring Road. Huge building boom (New four-story government complex, Meijer, Hobby Lobby, Academy Sports, Buffalo Wild Wings are all being built currently; county's two-largest churches have relocated to Ring Road recently).

###For Immediate Release###

On Saturday, January 10, 2015 in the New Castle Fieldhouse, the 2015 Challenge Cup will be contested by five of Indiana’s best high school basketball teams vs. five of Kentucky’s best teams. A best of five game format will determine the winner of the 2015 Challenge Cup. Ten great teams, along with multiple college prospects, will be competing for state bragging rights. The 2015 Hall of Fame Challenge Cup will be played in honor and support of American veterans, is sponsored by the Indiana and Kentucky Basketball Coaches Associations and is a charity event sponsoring each state’s respective Hall of Fame.

Indiana - Kentucky Challenge Cup Game Schedule

Please Note: All Boy’s games will start approximately 30 minutes after the end of the game before. Please plan accordingly. Game times are approximate!

Girls: Homestead vs. Elizabethtown 11 a.m.

Boys: South Knox vs. Newport Central Catholic aprox. 1 p.m.

Boys: Scecina Memorial vs. Southwestern aprox. 3 p.m.

Boys: Hamilton Heights vs. Wayne County aprox. 5 p.m.

Boys: Zionsville vs. Scott County aprox. 7 p.m.

Event Summary

● Saturday, January 10, 2015 : 5 games beginning at 11:00 am in the New Castle Fieldhouse = the world’s largest high school gym ● Complimentary admission to event for veterans and immediate families

● $10 all day admission

● Proceeds to Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame, Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame

● Pep for Patriotism Award to each state for best cheer section ($500 awarded to winning school’s prom fund) ● “In the Clutch” free throw contest

● “Wounded Hero” serving as honorary coach for each team

Just a guess, and no doubt he is one helluva coach.

 

But, sometimes it's about what you do with what you have. Travis Gay took an Adair County team to a 9-3 record and the schools first ever playoff win in history.

 

Yes, so their schedule gets ripped...but, on the flip side of that...it's the same schedule (practically) that they have played all throughout these years. Nobody was saying anything about their schedule then.

 

For the record, I'd be highly shocked if Brandon doesn't win the 3A Coach of the Year award.

Smith has to be a frontrunner/contender for 3-A Coach of the Year.

That being said, it does not look good -- not his fault, mind you; more the system -- if he is No. 1 Coach in 3-A but second (if, we don't know how votes turned out) in his own district.

Doesn't help Gay much, either, if Smith wins a state/class/bigger award.

No fault of either coach.

Funeral information for Coach Robbins | LebanonEnterprise.com

Marion County football coach Jeff Robbins passed away Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16. Robbins had been battling multiple myeloma.

Visitation for Coach Jeff Robbins will be from 2-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Bosley Funeral Home in Lebanon.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Lebanon United Methodist Church.

Must be a member of KFCA gets old.

John Hardin owned its district win Brown was there, but Brown didn't join KFCA (or didn't participate in voting process).

So you get districts where a coach of a 2-8 team is District Coach of the Year?

Please.

Guess Stoops should be SEC Coach of the Year in that case ...

Me and my gang (sounds like a Rascal Flatts song, doesn't it?!) will be at the following games tonight and posting twitter updates to all four:

- Wayne at Elizabethtown

- John Hardin at Bullitt East

- (Lexington) Henry Clay at Meade

- (Lexington) Paul Dunbar at Central Hardin

Follow @TheNESports for updates.

Just asking. I don't think you could have residence in Indiana and enroll at a public school in KY.

Depends on the school district.

- BELFRY had a kid(s) from West Virginia when it beat Elizabethtown for the class football title.

- MIDDLESBORO had basketball player Stuart Miller, who loved in Tennessee.

- FORT CAMPBELL has several athletes/students with Tennessee addresses

Not sure of any particular Hoosiers who attend public school in the Ville, but there have been some in the past who attended X, T, etc.

Also don't know why Indiana would have a rule stopping kids from attending Kentucky public schools but not Kentucky private schools. Not a whole lot of "pros" in favor of a rule like that.

It's hard to figure out your team, but I do NOT mean that in a negative fashion.

What I mean is, it doesn't appear to an outsider that Wayne County has an offensive identity.

I know about last year's run, and I thought I'd see more of the pass-happy, spread-you-out attack Friday when the Cardinals come to E'town.

Based on some video I've watched and stats I've scoured, it appears Wayne has decided to go to a run-first, pass-second attack.

If I'm completely off base here, I do apologize. I mean no ill will.

I guess to sum it up: What gives?

I'll play.

- CONFIRMED: Pelham, Alabama is open. Let go of Brett Burnett (Elizabethtown, Fort Knox and M-NH, I think) after 10 seasons. He was also AD there.

- RUMOR: Trinity will definitely have a new coach next year, win or lose. Has nothing to do with on-field performance, health or school issues. According to another message board, he is expected to get a different job not at a Kentucky high school.

No, would like to be able to do that but we can't. We technically are not a school but are a ministry/outreach program. We would have to be either a school to join the KCAA or a school or homeschool affiliated program to join the KCSAA. We play many of those teams as an independent, but there are several small public and private schools that fall under KHSAA jurisdiction that would be great fits playing wise for us and them. As a matter of fact I had a coach from one of these very small publics call me a few days ago inquiring about possibly scheduling some games and wasn't aware of the by-laws. Still trying to figure out if there is a waiver or something that can be granted in situations like that. I mean, when you have some public school with less than 50 boys in the high school and you just literally can't compete with anyone in your area that you play in the KHSAA...why not allow them to schedule teams like ours, or similar KCAA schools, where they might actually have a chance to compete.:idunno:

 

Ironically, we can go to OH and IN and play anyone who will schedule us. Played a top 20 (at the time) IN high school in a big tournament in Richmond, IN last year. Sure, we got smashed, but we play 4 games, had fun and have some great memories.

I played high school soccer and was on the school's academic team.

I was NOT good enough to make the basketball team (school had 1700 kids at the time, although I might not have made it with 800 kids, so ....)

None of my friends made the HS varsity team.

We all played every Saturday morning in a league ran by a local church (about 12 area churches had teams for boys in grades 9-12). We knew we weren't ever going to play other high schools, but we were OK with that.

Granted you're not in an area that has that option, but it seems your team (non KHSAA school based team) is in the same boat???

I could be taking this the wrong way, and if so, I apologize. But it seems you are about the same I would consider a YMCA team, church-league team or AAU. And there's no way the KHSAA will allow schools to play teams like that (YMCA, AAU, Church-league based teams).

This rule actually came down in soccer season ... three months ago.

Lots of alumni games were cancelled at the last minute because of the rule change.

KHSAA is about to (if it hasn't already) put an end to basketball teams facing Australian Travel Teams during winter/Christmas break, too. You could face a real school from Australia, but not that is basically an overseas traveling AAU team.

Have you/can you join the KCAA? The KCSAA?

If it's about playing another week, there's a simple solution: Kill the bye week and make it an 11-game regular season (that way you can schedule someone YOU choose and not have a likely blowout forced upon you).

Take the top two seeds. The 3s and 4s, who most likely would have been knocked out anyway, still get their 11th game. Plus you get rid of a ton of blowouts (and decrease travel, since you're getting rid of a GUARANTEED road trip for half the teams in the state).

Fans don't have to watch meaningless blowouts in round of 32 anymore (since there would be no round of 32).

Players/coaches still get in their 11th game (face it, most teams are done at 10 or 11 anyway).

JC,

When would South's first road playoff game be? If they keep winning that is.

See above. Someone beat me to it!