[Pulp Fiction]

I'm sure this is a topic the BGR discuss every year, so forgive me if this topic has been beat to death already.
Here is a list of my favorite HS gyms that I have been to either to compete in or been to as a fan.

Oldham County practice gym/girls gym. I was there in 2002 for a tournament, this gym looked like a scene from a movie. Not a big gym, but when I walked in I could just feel the tradition. If my memory serves me right, South Oldham was playing Fern Creek and the game came down to a last second shot. My team played twice in this gym during that tourney, and both times, you could just tell this gym had something special about it.

Paintsville High School. YES, I said it. I think the people from football season I know I'm anti-Paintsville, but I have to give credit where it's due. This gym is small, old and HOT.... but has to be one of the best places in KY to watch a high school basketball game.

Johnson Central. This is were I went to HS at. An for the longest time, this gym was one of the biggest gym's in EKY. I've seen regional and district contests in basketball, wrestling volleyball, MMA cage fighting, pro wrestling UK legends games in this gym. Guess it's special to me because I lost about 10 gallons of sweat in there as well.

Clay County. Or should I say, The worlds largest shrine to Richie Farmer. This gym with it's state championship banner hanging up and banner to coach Bobby Keith is a wonderful place to watch a high school basketball game.

Bullitt East. I saw the 2009 district tournament in there. This gym has some age on it, but was in great shape. Like most schools, they had all of there past trophies outside the gym, which added to the experience.

M.C. Napier HS. This school consolidated way back when to form Perry County Central. I believe this gym is used by the PCC wrestling team. Before the consolidation, I did see some excellent ball games in this gym. Not that much seating, but still a great gym.

Hazard HS. Memorial gym is a hard place to play. Great place to watch a game, but don't plan on getting a W when you play Hazard at Hazard.

Meade Memorial (Johnson County). I'm sure some old timers on BGR remember when Meade Memorial was a High School. And I'm almost sure that some BGR's remember the name Wendell Wallen. Probably the smallest gym I've ever been in and maybe one of the oldest gym's in use to-date.




Here are is my list, if I think of anymore, I'll add them. Please add your favorite HS gym.

[MoreheadEagle2008]

The old Olive Hill High School gym is a favorite of mine. All the seating was on one side. It was a large gym in its day.

The old Haldeman High School gym is a classic old school small gym. Love just sitting in there.

And lastly the old "barn" at Montgomery County. The new gym is nice but I'd rather watch a game in the barn any day.

[Aldric Perfidus]

The old Olive Hill High School gym is a favorite of mine. All the seating was on one side. It was a large gym in its day.

The old Haldeman High School gym is a classic old school small gym. Love just sitting in there.

And lastly the old "barn" at Montgomery County. The new gym is nice but I'd rather watch a game in the barn any day.

I love MC new gym! Dont get me wrong the "barn" is great too, but I like the new one better.

The new gym for the Harlan Co Black Bears could possibly be the nicest gym in this state.

As previously mentioned Hazard; I am a big fan of their old school gym.

Knott Co Patriots have a nice gym with the center arena hanging scoreboard.

Knox Central has one of the nicer gyms in the 13th.

Pineville though very small, has a nice new gym. I guess its plenty big enough for the size of that school though.

Those are a couple of my favorites that ive visited over the years. Im sure ive seen many more great ones that I just cant think of right now. If I do later ill stop back and repost about them.

[Aldric Perfidus]

Perry Central also has a very good gym. Combs arena or something like that?

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

If the fans are rocking paintsville is one of the toughest places to play.

[formerwildcat22]

As for the gyms I played in during my high school days, I really enjoyed playing in Paintsville and Magoffin County's gym. Since then, I've had the privilege of playing in the old Wayland gym (aka King Kelly Coleman's old stomping ground).

Can anyone name all of the old gyms that are still around in the mountains?

[Emmit Brown]

If the fans are rocking paintsville is one of the toughest places to play.

I've watched many games in that gym and I really likes the atmosphere that was created prior to installing the rails. Fans right on the court, BMR cranking the heat up, and a packed house to watch the great run Paintsville had in the late 80's and 90's. It wasn't uncommon to look to your left or right and be sitting next to a high profile coach. However, that place hasn't rocked except for the JC game each season since 08. Fan support is way down.

[EKYHoops]

Nothing like a packed house at Memorial gym in Hazard. Seen many big games in this gym, brings back lots of great memories.

[ozzy72666]

The Catlettsburg High gym (catlettsburg grade school now) is still nice gym.

[GetChili]

My favorite gym is The Briar Patch of Somerset High School. Fans are right on the action and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Also known as the 'Cracker Box.'

[clipperw]

I like the Dome at Betsy Layne.

[MoreheadEagle2008]

I like the Dome at Betsy Layne.

I believe Berea still has a dome as well, although they now have a new gym.

[Real Badman]

The old Feds Creek High School. So crowded and small, the inbounder had people literally screaming in his ear.

[jetpilot]

The old Feds Creek High School. So crowded and small, the inbounder had people literally screaming in his ear.

Liked that one and Virgie's and Millard's.

[Hillbilly Heartthrob]

I always liked playing in SV's gym...They always have the atmosphere for good Basketball.....also Letcher Central has a nice gym...and Belfry just to list a few......but If I had to go old school....I'd say Virgie's gym (minus the rubber floor)

[LCDAWGS19]

There's nothing like playing in Augusta's gym. Those old upper deck bleachers start swaying, especially when Bracken County comes to town.

[Hillbilly Heartthrob]

and I forgot about the old Wayland Gym!

[ekff]

Memorial Gym -Hazard

I know many people don't like it but it's more then a gym to Hazard die-hearts. Great history.

Fans are right on top of you.


P.S. - Everyone who always hates on the Memorial Gym parking... Heres a note for you...
The old Hazard High School building was just above Memorial Gym and most people know that he has burned down..... Make a GREAT parking lot from Memorial Gym.

[D IT UP]

How about some pictures

[alleycat53]

I always liked playing in SV's gym...They always have the atmosphere for good Basketball.....also Letcher Central has a nice gym...and Belfry just to list a few......but If I had to go old school....I'd say Virgie's gym (minus the rubber floor)

LOL...Virgie's gym before that one was old school, as was Dorton's and Feds Creek's.

[SuperB70]

Feds Creek was special as was the old gym at McDowell Hgh School. The visitors dressing room at McDowell had a warm morning stove in it.

[Hillbilly Heartthrob]

LOL...Virgie's gym before that one was old school, as was Dorton's and Feds Creek's.

The old rubber floor was unforgiving lol

[ekff]

[Image: http://hazardkentucky.com/new/philco.jpg]

OLD SCHOOL - Memorial Gym -Hazard

[ekff]

[Image: http://www.smoothphoto.com/Sports-Photos...8D-L-3.jpg]

[Image: http://www.smoothphoto.com/Miscellany/Mi...89-L-1.jpg]


[Image: http://hazardkentucky.com/new/mem_gym.jpg]

[GetChili]

Great pictures!

[ekff]

[Image: http://www.smoothphoto.com/Sports-Photos...e7Zu-L.jpg]

[OffTheHook]

Love The pics!

[HD28]

I really like Breathitt County and Mason County's Fieldhouse. Great atmosphere in both.

[HD28]

Agree that Paintsville is special.

[ekff]

Love The pics!

Yeah I like that 1957 pic...