[Bucwheat]

I would love to see John Cain get more props.

[Old Jumper]

Although he was the beneficiary of being at the right place at the right time when Lynch was consolidated into Cumberland, and I am not sure of his overall record, Tim Saylor could prepare a team with the best of the best. He was innovative and maverick in his methods, and his ability to convey the knowledge he gathered via scouting to his players was phenomenal...master motivator as well.
One of my favorite moments was before the annual Harlan game, he was emphasizing his dislike for our opponent by stressing his hatred for the color green. When a player pointed out that the coach drove a green car, he didn't even hesitate, and quickly quipped "I hate that car!"

I coached against a couple of his Pineville teams and a couple of his teams at Cawood. They were always very well coached and hard-nosed. They never beat themselves. Coach Saylor seemed to get the most out of the talent he had. Glad to see him mentioned.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

On the contrary, I hate Bell County and don't feel any emotions toward Belfry, yet id still take Dudley.

There are exceptions to every rule

[Westside]

MY LIST
1. Hillard Howard
2. Phillip Haywood
3. Mike Holcomb
4. Dudley Hilton would be ranked higher on my list but he coached at Bourbon.
5. Jack Hall

The Lynch coach was before my time so I can't comment.

[Bob Seger]

I think both Larkeys deserve to be mentioned.

My God, I think I want to puke!!!

[Westside]

My God, I think I want to puke!!!

Lol!!!!!!

[pjdoug]

Although he was the beneficiary of being at the right place at the right time when Lynch was consolidated into Cumberland, and I am not sure of his overall record, Tim Saylor could prepare a team with the best of the best. He was innovative and maverick in his methods, and his ability to convey the knowledge he gathered via scouting to his players was phenomenal...master motivator as well.
One of my favorite moments was before the annual Harlan game, he was emphasizing his dislike for our opponent by stressing his hatred for the color green. When a player pointed out that the coach drove a green car, he didn't even hesitate, and quickly quipped "I hate that car!"

I also think Saylor could be on the list.

[HCS]

Saylor won about 90 percent of his games at Cumberland and got them to the state finals twice.
He had some of the best Pineville teams in the past 40 years and also had some good teams at Cawood.
I think his only losing season was his last year at Cawood before going into administration. He could definitely be a top 10 coach.

Another coach who had a lot of winning seasons from the 1950s to the late 1970s was Charlie Hunter at Evarts.

[pjdoug]

Saylor won about 90 percent of his games at Cumberland and got them to the state finals twice.
He had some of the best Pineville teams in the past 40 years and also had some good teams at Cawood.
I think his only losing season was his last year at Cawood before going into administration. He could definitely be a top 10 coach.

Another coach who had a lot of winning seasons from the 1950s to the late 1970s was Charlie Hunter at Evarts.

Cawood used to be one of the most dreaded teams.Saylor knows how to coach for sure.

[pjdoug]

My God, I think I want to puke!!!

Bob, its a sickening display for sure.

[HCS]

Jim Cullivan had a lot of winning teams at Cawood from 1980 to 1988. Boyd Fox had some great teams in the 70s, including the regional championship team in 1975.

[HCS]

What did Larkey's do in the mountains that deserve a top 10 spot?

The only way Tom Larkey isn't in the top 10 is if you don't consider Rockcastle a mountain school. The rule I always followed was the mountain basketball regions (13, 14 and 15) and Rockcastle was in the 13th the entire time Larkey was there. He took them to two state finals and never had a losing season. I'm guessing he probably had more wins over Hilton than any other coach. He turned Rockcastle into one of the state's top programs and built it from basically nothing.
What he did in a short time at Harlan County was pretty amazing - two regional titles for a county that had none since 1990 and had won only one playoff game in 15 years between three schools.

[pjdoug]

The only way Tom Larkey isn't in the top 10 is if you don't consider Rockcastle a mountain school. The rule I always followed was the mountain basketball regions (13, 14 and 15) and Rockcastle was in the 13th the entire time Larkey was there. He took them to two state finals and never had a losing season. I'm guessing he probably had more wins over Hilton than any other coach. He turned Rockcastle into one of the state's top programs and built it from basically nothing.
What he did in a short time at Harlan County was pretty amazing - two regional titles for a county that had none since 1990 and had won only one playoff game in 15 years between three schools.

the school is at Mount Vernon but i dont think it is considered a mountain school.

[pjdoug]

Jim Cullivan had a lot of winning teams at Cawood from 1980 to 1988. Boyd Fox had some great teams in the 70s, including the regional championship team in 1975.

When did Saylor take over at Cawood? I was thinking he was coaching there in the late 80's. seems like I remember a good quarterback there named Saylor. was it his son?

[HCS]

The Courier Journal and Herald Leader always called the 13th, 14th and 15th the mountain regions.

Legacies of Kentucky Mountain Basketball: Harold M. Kelley ...
http://www.amazon.com/...Kentucky-Mounta...752‎
Legacies of Kentucky Mountain Basketball Hardcover – June 15, 2012 ... the 13th , 14th and 15th Regions of the Commonwealth, including detailed accounts of ...

[HCS]

When did Saylor take over at Cawood? I was thinking he was coaching there in the late 80's. seems like I remember a good quarterback there named Saylor. was it his son?

Saylor started at Cawood in 1989.
Jacob Saylor was the quarterback on the last really good Cawood team in the mid 90s. They ran into a guy named Couch at Leslie County and lost in the second round.

[HCS]

the school is at Mount Vernon but i dont think it is considered a mountain school.

I agree it is a debatable point considering the geography. To me, Rockcastle was a mountain school in the 13th and now no longer is in the 12th Region.

[pjdoug]

Saylor started at Cawood in 1989.
Jacob Saylor was the quarterback on the last really good Cawood team in the mid 90s. They ran into a guy named Couch at Leslie County and lost in the second round.

I remember those good quarterbacks. Whitley County lost to Tim Couch at Hyden too. I hated to see my team lose but witnessed the best high school quarterback I had ever seen.

[InItToWinIt]

I am surprised that Chalk Stapleton from Middlesboro is not mentioned. In the 70's, no one could touch him. Great coach and a great man.

[Fly Like a Duck]

Here is one for the region...

Didn't Larry Phillips win it all at Cumberland in the 80's? He then left for Lincoln County where he had a very successful tenure through the '90 season before going into administration at South Oldham.

[Hatz]

I am surprised that Chalk Stapleton from Middlesboro is not mentioned. In the 70's, no one could touch him. Great coach and a great man.

I'm sure he's a great coach and man, but when was he where "no one could touch him?"

Middlesboro was pretty good but he only guided them to one state final but numerous playoff spots.

[PHSForever]

Here is one for the region...

Didn't Larry Phillips win it all at Cumberland in the 80's? He then left for Lincoln County where he had a very successful tenure through the '90 season before going into administration at South Oldham.

Cumberland reached the finals one time in the 80's, but never won it all. Some very strong teams there through the years. When you played them, you knew you had been in a heck of a game. Powerful and dominating teams, we had much respect for them.

[Hatz]

Here is one for the region...

Didn't Larry Phillips win it all at Cumberland in the 80's? He then left for Lincoln County where he had a very successful tenure through the '90 season before going into administration at South Oldham.

I'm not sure that Cumberland ever won a state title.

[InItToWinIt]

I'm sure he's a great coach and man, but when was he where "no one could touch him?"

Middlesboro was pretty good but he only guided them to one state final but numerous playoff spots.

I meant as a coach. I am talking about his ability to win and just an overall great man. I will not take anything from him. He was one of the best coaches Middlesboro has had.

[HCS]

Cumberland reached the finals one time in the 80's, but never won it all. Some very strong teams there through the years. When you played them, you knew you had been in a heck of a game. Powerful and dominating teams, we had much respect for them.

Three times - 82, 83 and 86

[HCS]

Here is one for the region...

Didn't Larry Phillips win it all at Cumberland in the 80's? He then left for Lincoln County where he had a very successful tenure through the '90 season before going into administration at South Oldham.

I think Phillips was an assistant under Tim Saylor when Cumberland went to the finals in 82 and 83.

[HCS]

I'm sure he's a great coach and man, but when was he where "no one could touch him?"

Middlesboro was pretty good but he only guided them to one state final but numerous playoff spots.

The Middlesboro posters do go overboard, but I'll have to say that when I was growing up in the 70s, Middlesboro and Stapleton and Corbin and Powers were the dominant programs in eastern Kentucky. Cawood had so many very good teams that couldn't get past Middlesboro.

[Old Jumper]

For the record, Coach Stapleton led Middlesboro to the state finals twice (1974 and 1975), not once.

[HighViz]

I'm goin with Hilton at # 1.
If he stayed in high school he would have never been caught. Possibly a few more titles too. Breathitt, Bell, Bourbon, Bell, UPIKE, and Taylor... That's a lot of kids from all different walks of life. A lot of Teaching winners!

Haywood at #2
Proven, hard nosed winner

Howard at #3
Great coach- look at his numbers..

Holcomb at #4
Dynasty of 94-95-96-97-02-07
Great offensive mind, changed the game in eky with the help of Hal.

Larkey at #5
Great Coach and excelled in everyplace he landed so far. Rock, Harlan, now to Perry... We shall see if he can get them to buy in....

[InItToWinIt]

The Middlesboro posters do go overboard, but I'll have to say that when I was growing up in the 70s, Middlesboro and Stapleton and Corbin and Powers were the dominant programs in eastern Kentucky. Cawood had so many very good teams that couldn't get past Middlesboro.

:rockon: