Hasbeen

Agreed, it's actually more of the same. With the exception of SL and Barbourville, KC has led nearly every game in the 3rd only to blow a lead in the 4th. Maybe one of our basketball experts can tell me why.

Copycat. All looks and no brains. :lol:

Here in the mountains I'm considered quite the catch. I have a job and everything.

:thumb: Very good post. I was very apathetic about the situation and considered it to be a Louisville, NKY, Lexington problem until I read some of the arrogant comments by some and realized they were as ignorant of the way we must do things as I am of their situation. I've since come to the conclusion that there is no equitable solution, there will be no level playing field, and the problem goes beyond private v. public. I'm willing to accept that and use that as a starting point. Just stop telling me your advantage is because you're harder working, smarter, and prettier than me.

I did a quick glance at each schedule and unless I missed something, that is the case.

Interesting scheduling quirk, all four 51st district teams (Barbourville, Knox Central, Lynn Camp, and Pineville) will play each other beginning tonight (Friday, 6th) and ending next Friday 13th. One week from tonight the 51st district seeding will be set.

I see no compromise that would solve the entire problem. IMO, the only workable solution is separate classes where each school in the class plays by the same rules, sort of like NCAA divisions. By no means should this be limited to private schools.

I wasn't at the game and have no idea the condition of the field, but I have watched many games both on the baseball and football fields. In the Spring when it's in use, the baseball field, especially the outfield, is almost always wet and has puddles of standing water in the outfield. Numerous underground streams have always been a problem on the site and it doesn't take much rain to bring them to the surface. The ground several inches below the playing surface becomes saturated and the water above ground has no where to sink in.

I look for Coach Gentry to be successful at Whitley in a very short time. Whitley is not a downtrodden program that needs to be rebuilt. It was only a short time ago that it was not unusual to see 80 or so kids on the middleschool team. An infusion of excitement via a coaching change could be just what the doctor ordered. In addition, I've seen Coach Gentry in action as a recruiter for Cumberland and I feel he has the personality to encourage young players to return to the program as well as the charisma to relate well with the boosters and supporters. I'll concede that being a AAAA school makes the process more difficult, but if he surrounds himself with the right staff, Whitley will be making a lot of noise in a very short period of time.

I've not seen it mentioned here, but in the promo for this telecast is was mentioned several times that this team was picked by the coaches. Congratulations to everyone who made the team and thanks to WYMT and the Sports Department.

To be fair to Knox Central, they are actually 2-6 and you must look at their early season schedule. They have lost twice to South Laurel, are 1-1 in games with Rockcastle, beat Middlesboro, lost to Harlan in overtime after blowing a big lead, and have single digit losses to Jackson County and Ashland. That's a tough schedule for a team that starts an eighth grader and two sophomores and has several freshmen in the rotation. As I said in an earlier post, their record doesn't merit a top ten ranking, but the way they've improved despite a killer schedule does bear watching and I think that's what Les was saying.

I'm satisfied with where you have Knox Central. The boy's record does not merit a higher ranking but the steady improvement they're showing does bear keeping an eye on. Seven wins in a row including, I think, two tournament championships is impressive for the Lady Panthers. Wendi Messer is proving to be among the top players in the region.

Knox Central won the game you listed above.

Mild mannered Coach Elam get a T? Surely you're joking. :lol:

I'm not up on what everyone has this season so I can only speak from past experiences, but Corbin and Middlesboro usually are so fundamentally sound that a dip in talent does not affect them as other teams. South, although usually blessed with good players, has never really impressed me that much. Good, but not great. I think their merging with the 13th region will be a much different experience in baseball as opposed to basketball.

Should be an interesting rematch between Central and Rock on a neutral floor. A chance to see if either team has solved any of the puzzle.

KC was young last year and again this year. I know Coach Melton is optomistic but I'm not sure how their numbers will be. BHS I believe does return a lot of their starters and have picked up a few good young players. I may be wrong, but I believe Barbourville has the personel to win if they would put forth the same effort into their baseball program as they do Dinky's team.

I believe facilities are only a tiny part of the equation. Lack of facilities can be overcome and is not, in opinion, a valid excuse. By the way, to my knowledge there is zero difference between an independent district and county district. Both are state controlled and must adhere to the same policies and rules.

I don't like to post rumors but by way of clarification, the talk around town is that a couple of players quit after the game, not before. If this is true, I'm sure it was just a heat of the moment thing, has probably already been reconciled and really not worth going into unless some evidence comes out substantiating this. Both of the kids being discussed are great kids and love the game so I'm sure nothing will come of it.

I have no doubt that some of the Prop 20 proponents are simply trying to eliminate competition which validates my question: why not head it off at the pass by coming up with an equitable solution that addresses the real issue without taking away the good sides of both. To me, the real issure is the disparity of rules within the classes. I've stated many times above, the private schools are not the only problem, just the most visible and, by their very nature and structure, the most able to take advantage of the situation.

There is a difference between measuring up and playing by the same set of rules. If we drop the prop 20 drama and look at this thing for what it is and not a public vs. private problem, perhaps we could find a solution.

I agree, there will always be those unwilling to do what it takes to be successful and they will continue to struggle. That's how it should be. But even for those willing to make the effort, there are going to be obstacles that just can't be overcome no matter what. Many of the top programs have built in advantages that will never be allowed at other schools. I don't see this entirely as a public/private deal either. As I've said numerous times, eliminating the private schools will only lessen part of the disparities. The bottom line is, schools should compete against other schools using the same rules and guidelines. At that point the program that works hardest will rise to the top via their efforts, not some artificial advantage. Again, I don't know the solution, but if it takes more classes, so be it. Call it watered down, call me a whiner, but it's not equitable as it stands and will only get worse. Really, why does anyone have to be booted out? Maybe this is too simple, but why can't we design classes where each school competes against others of similar restrictions? Look at the NCAA. The divisions are not based on school size. They are based upon scholarship and financial limitations. Why could we not have a Super Class where anything goes or a Class B with open enrollment but limited to one county? Perhaps a class C for those with reciprocal agreements but limited by size? Kicking out the privates is but a band-aid solution as I implied in the title. Obviously, we can't end up with ten classes so my above post is really just me wondering out loud, but maybe someone can come up with a solution that allows the hundreds of kids sweating through 2-a-days each August to at least have a fighting chance.

I can't and never have argued with that. But with the topic being football and the advantages some schools have both public and private, is their a solution that is fair to all short of separation? I'm not asking for a "dumbing down" of anything, just an opportunity to compete. I don't think that is a dishonorable request.

Barbourville? By the way, I commend the MHS people for dominating this thread. It's actually nice to see someone take baseball so seriously.

I finally had to opportunity to watch Knox Central this season. For the fourth game in a row they blew a big lead but this time were able to hang on to beat Middlesboro 82-76. KC starts an 8th grader and two sophs with several freshmen in the rotation. When this young team learns to keep their composure and not play like they are down 20 instead of ahead by 20, they could surprise some people.