[RunItUpTheGut]

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

I can certainly appreciate and accept that.
I to agree that Lex Cath is a great facility as i have been there to watch the high school team play.
I think Lexington is definitely the right place for the state championship and needs to be where the high school has theres only at commonwealth.
And thx to all of those from Lex Cath who help out, its hard to find someone who will commit to such a commitment and i feel you guys are on the right track and im sure you will definitely have the kinks worked out in the years to come.
The only thing that worries me is the money the middle schools have and are given in order to stay overnight in Lexington. I would assume there are a lot of middle schools out there who couldnt afford it or simply wouldnt give the team money, however, i think it should fall upon the coaches shoulder to hold fundraisers, etc to come up with the money. I also encourage teams who struggle with making the trip because of money during every round of the playoffs to try and get someone to sponser there trips, i dont know if that legal among the KMSFA rules, but i dont see how it could be any harm as long as the money is directly used for motel, food, etc...