[KMSFA2]

This is a great question. Its also something that the board discusses yearly.

We have a couple of issues. I will just tell you that the main ones are not necessarily related to the availability of the Lexington Catholic facility. They are a lot to do with simple logistics/time frame though.

We have schools that are already pressed for time with their respective football programs lasting into the end of October because of their participation in the state playoffs. While its not a concern for our organization necessarily, we recognize that basketball coaches (this is Kentucky afterall) want those players to move inside so they can start practicing/playing.

The first year of the state championships (2008), the semi-finals and finals were held on the same day. As in Bluegrass Middle School and Bell County Middle School played 2 games on that Saturday and Bluegrass was able to win. The following year, we made the adjustment to what we currently have.

Most teams stay the night in Lexington on Saturday. This elminates the need for a team from say far Eastern Kentucky or far Western Kentucky from having to drive back to their home, only to have to do the same round trip the following week if we were to extend it another week for the finals.

One last point before someone asks about this. The semi-finals and finals are held at Lexington Catholic not because of President Greg Mitchell's involvement there. The main reason we hold it there (and it is an EXCELLENT facility) is the fact that 90-95% of the volunteers who work for us that weekend are affiliated with LexCath. We've been asked this before, but there has never been a facility available to us that was in an area with that much dedicated manpower and support. Until that changes, these events will almost certainly remain at LexCath, and rightfully so.

Great questions. I hope I've answered them to your satisfaction.

JTB