Tuesday, November 30, 2010

It's Time for Basketball

The greatest high school basketball competition in America is underway in Kentucky. You will recall that last year, Shelby Valley (of Pike County) took the state championship back to the 15th region for the first time since 1996 when they beat Lou. Ballard 73-61 to win the state title. Tilghman won the 1st region for the third time in four years, but were blown out by Shelby Valley 68-45 in the first round. Now it's time for a new season. According to the Herald-Leader, here are the top 25 teams in the Commonwealth:

1. Lou. Jeffersontown (2006 state champs)
2. Lou. Eastern (in the same region as J-town)
3. Clark Co. (usually loses to Mason Co. in the regionals)
4. Christian Co. (highest-ranked team in western Kentucky)
5. Bowling Green
6. Warren Cent. (should be a great battle in the 4th region)
7. Lex. Tates Creek (highest-ranked team in the Bluegrass)
8. Scott Co. (team Toyota is always tough to beat)
9. Mason Co.
10. Lex. Catholic (highest-ranked private school)
11. Lou. Iroquois
12. Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park
13. Lou. Trinity
14. Paducah Tilghman (highest-ranked team in the Purchase)
15. Muhlenberg Co.
16. Lex. Henry Clay
17. North Hardin
18. Lou. Ballard (surprising to see them this low)
19. Boone Co. (highest-ranked team in N. Kentucky)
20. Lou. Western
21. Clay Co. (highest-ranked team in the mountains)
22. Bullitt East
23. Lou. Moore
24. Lex. Bryan Station
25. Lou. Seneca (Why does Louisville have high schools named Iroquois and Seneca?)

3 comments:

  1. I just hope Heath does better than they did in football.

    By the way what's the deal with girls basketball. When we were in school Marshall was a powerhouse, has that continued or did they fade away?

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  2. i don't know much about basketball in kentucky at all much yet.

    i can understand that a team that is good in basketball wouldn't necessarily be good in football, but i'm always surprised when a team that is good in football can't muster together a good basketball team every three or four seasons.

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  3. Marshall County won the state championship in girls' basketball in 1982 and 1984. The 1984 team was the last team from the first region to reach the finals. In recent years, the city schools have totally dominated the girls' tournament. Here are the last 10 girls' state champions:

    2001: Lex. Catholic
    2002: Lou. Sacred Heart
    2003: Lou. Sacred Heart
    2004: Lou. Sacred Heart
    2005: Lex. Catholic
    2006: Lex. Catholic
    2007: Lex. Christian
    2008: Lou. Butler
    2009: Lou. Iroquois
    2010: Lou. Mercy

    Last year, the 1st region was won by Murray, which was beaten 69-36 by Rockcastle County in the first round of the tournament. So I don't think you're going to see this trophy going back to the Purchase anytime soon.

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