[More Cowbell]

First of all I think the Expo center is a great venue for kids in the 15th.
1. Yes, you do lose atmosphere when you take it from the high school gyms but to be honest there is really not any gym in the region that could hold the crowd that was at the regional finals this year.
2. Yes, it is expensive but when you realize the profits go to the schools it really is not such a bad thing. At least you have a clean bathroom to use, a nice backed seat to sit in, the temperture is comfortable, you have adequete parking and you have nice concessions, expensive, but nice.
3. Only one team gets to go to Rupp or Diddle, and this place gives all teams in the region a little taste of what it is like to play in such a large venue. It makes making it to the region a little more special.
4. Yes, it seems as if Pike county had the advantage this year, but look at last year the only other year that was played in the Expo center and you will remember it was Magoffin County and Johnson Central who were the winners.
5. This year the school with the longest drive was probally Magoffin County and it takes about 45 minutes to drive it. Lawernce Co. probally would have the longest drive of anyone in the 15th, but if it was rotated like it was once was those trips could get even longer. This year in the 14th, the kids from Powell County had to drive to Letcher Central, I could be wrong but I think that would over 100 miles. There is no easy answer on this one.
There are problems with which ever route is taken but I think overall the Expo Center is a good thing.

EXCELLENT post!

I agree with everything you said. The Expo center is the best venue for the tournament, and it's not even close. One other reason is the neutrality of having the games in a place that is not somebody's home floor. I think everyone would agree that there is an advantage to playing a game on your own court, however small that advantage may be. A regional championship game, with a trip to state on the line, should not be held in a place that gives one team a leg up from the very beginning.

I will grant that the unfamiliarity with the court may contribute to poorer shooting (which seemed prevalent at this year's tournament), but at least it's the same disadvantage for all the teams.