One and Done: Boys' Sweet Sixteen

As we come to the end of this year's tournament, it is important to emphasize what a great, great tournament it has been. There were some amazing battles in the regional tournaments -- including a four-overtime thriller in the Ninth Region finals, a great comeback by Marshall County in the First Region final, and a miraculous run by Shelby Valley through the Fifteenth Region. And although the state tournament has included a few clunkers (as usual), it has also featured some tremendous games: Eastern's three-point win over Warren Central, Christian County's amazing comebacks against Lexington Catholic and Eastern, and Rowan County's hanging on for a two-point win over Bullitt East. It is also important to point out that, for the most part, the fan support shown throughout the tournament has been spectacular. There were huge crowds at most of the regionals, and Rupp has been packed as usual for the state tournament. As far as I can tell, the tournament is just as popular now as it was when I was in high school -- if not more so. Traditions live because generations pass them along, and it's great to see how Kentuckians have preserved this tradition.

I also want to give the KHSAA credit for doing such a great job of using the Internet to promote its tournament. To be able to sit up here in northern Virginia and see and hear all the games live is a great, great thing.

Now, about the game. Like almost everyone else, I expected the final to feature two teams from the Louisville area. I don't think this was simply a question of hype: Eastern and Bullitt East have both been great all year. Christian County's accomplishment in beating Lexington Catholic and Louisville Eastern in back-to-back games -- after decades of coming up short on the big stage, and after a whole season of struggles against teams from outside western Kentucky -- is an amazing accomplishment. And Rowan -- trying to become the first team from the 16th region to go all the way since the days of Larry Conley -- has ripped through the tournament with surprising ease.

Normally, the finals of the state tournament feature two schools from the heart of the state -- Louisville, Lexington, Scott County, Mason County -- these are the places that normally show up on the big stage. But I come from one of the far ends of the state, and I am thrilled to see a final between the 2d and 16th regions. As a western Kentuckian, of course, I am particularly happy for Christian County -- which has always been such a great power in our part of the state, but has never gone all the way at state. And for them to do so in a year where they lost nine regular-season games -- and the district title to University Heights -- is particularly striking.

One final point. One of the many reasons why this is the greatest high school sports competition in America -- if not the world -- is that to actually win the title, you have to win three games in two days -- including two games on the last day. So you're not just battling the pressure and the other team; you're also battling fatigue. Who will prevail? Will eastern Kentucky capture its second consecutive title, or will the trophy come down to our end of the state. We will be covering it here.