It’s a tradition citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky share with a passion.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s Sweet Sixteen Boys Basketball State Tournament starts this Wednesday in Lexington.
Over a frenzied, four-day period, high school teams from 16 Regions will compete at Rupp Arena, culminating with the championship game Saturday night; tip off time is 8 p.m.
The tournament has such an allure for Kentucky residents that many people go each year, even when their team isn’t playing. Vacation time and school spring break schedules are planned around the tournament; hotels are booked a year in advance; and for many, it is simply a family tradition.
Whether you plan to attend or not, the tournament is the ultimate goal for every basketball team in the state.
Here’s a look back at the history of the Boy’s Basketball Sweet Sixteen and some notable, local teams and coaches.
— The Kentucky High School Boy’s Basketball State Tournament began in 1918.
— Prior to 1932, there were 18 Regions. The term “Sweet Sixteen” was coined in 1932 when 16 Regions were established.
— The term Sweet Sixteen is a registered trademark of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
— Kentucky is one of three states (the others are Delaware and Hawaii) without a class system that divides large and small schools in separate championships. The lack of separate championships has provided the tournament with many stories of a small rural team upsetting a large city team to take the title.
— Crowds for the boy’s tournament draws around 120,000 fans during the four day event, with the finals drawing in attendance of 15 – 20,000.
— The tournament has been held in a variety of venues since its inception, including the Alumni Gymnasium in Lexington, the Armory in Louisville, Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Freedom Hall in Louisville, Rupp Arena in Lexington. In 1965, the tournament moved to Freedom Hall until 1979, when Rupp Arena hosted its first state tournament. In the years between 1979 and 1994, Lexington and Louisville rotated hosting the event. Rupp Arena became the host sight in 1995.
— The KHSAA Girl’s Sweet Sixteen State Tournament was established in 1975.
Of local interest, here’s a recap of teams and their state tournament appearances:*
— Maysville High School played in 17 Sweet Sixteen tournaments with the first appearance in 1935 and the last in 1988. The Bulldogs won the state championship in 1947 and finished as runner-up in 1948 and 1938; MHS teams were in the final four in 1941 and 1972.
Maysville High School had one state tournament appearance in 1920, technically giving the school 18 appearances in the state tournament.
During the 1935 season, Maysville High School was in the 12th Region when they won a trip to state tournament; all other trips to the tournament were as 10th Region Champions.
— Mason County High School has played in 14 Sweet Sixteen tournaments. The Royals won the state championship in 2003 and 2008 and finished as runner-up in 1981 and 2004; MCHS finished in the final four in 2010.
— Augusta High School Panthers played in one state tournament, in 1926.
— Brooksville High School played in five state tournaments. They won the state championship in 1939.
— Bracken County High School played in one state tournament, in 1955.
— Flemingsburg High School played in two state tournaments, once in 1922 and again in 1923.
— Fleming County High School has played in three state tournaments, the first appearance was in 1974. FCHS made the final four in 1998.
— Minerva High School played in the state tournament two times, once in 1927 and again in 1928, making it to the final four.
— The Maysville High School Girls Basketball team won the state tournament in 1926.
Notable Coaches from the Buffalo Trace Region with the most victories and a minimum of 500:**
628 — Lyle Dunbar: Fordsville, West Hopkins, Scottsville, Maysville, Christian County.
607 — Julian Cunningham: Orangeburg, Butler, Sharpsburg, Camargo, Montgomery County, Bath County, George Rogers Clark, Jessamine County.
541 — Ear Jones: Kavanaugh, Maysville
527 — Woody Crum: May’s Lick, Maysville, Daviess County, Bowling Green, Harrison County, Pendleton County.
524 — Mike Reitz: Deming, MMI, Maysville, Harrison County, George Rogers Clark, Campbell County.
512 — Allen Feldhaus: Mason County, Russell County.
* Ron Bailey contributed to this article.
**Statistics pulled from KHSAA website; records are entering the 2010-2011 season; schools listed in order of coaching career when information available.
***KHSAA and Sweet Sixteen logos used with permission of KHSAA.
Inforamtion researched on Wikipedia.
tournament, but they are big supporters of the Fleming County Panthers.
Hamilton was in high school when Fleming County High went to the state
tournament in 1974. “That was a rather exciting year. I traveled with the Pep
Club to the game,” said Hamilton.
tournament game, but their grandson, Trey Parker plays basketball and loves the
game. The Grays said while going is “just something we never did do,” they
expect their grandson “will go if he get’s a chance.”
but hasn’t since the 1980s. Dillion recalled the parties hosted by businessman
Clyde Barbour and said he’ll listen to this year’s tournament on the radio. “It
was a big thing then … just the excitement of Rupp, dinner by Clyde at the
Continental Inn. It’s always exciting at Rupp,” said Dillon.
school days with friends. The last big game he attended was the 1972 game
between Maysville High School and Louisville Central, when the Bulldogs,
coached by Tom Creamer, pulled an upset to move to the semi-finals. “That was
just amazing. That was a great game,” DeSpain said.
at state tournament games over the years. Chambers will attend Wednesday’s
opening round, but Huff can’t attend this year due to a scheduling conflict.
Both men said it’s the allure of the game at the high school level that makes
the tournament so exciting. “I enjoy the sport, the atmosphere. I like
basketball in general … I just love the sport,” said Chambers.
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