[HDE]

However, Cawood, the largest of the schools consolidating into Harlan Co High never won a regional title. Cawood went to the finals several times and a few times I thought they had the best talent in the region. To me it's amazing Cawood never won a regional title with Nick Sanford.

Sanford was the greatest player I've covered but Cawood lost a heartbreaker to Clay in the finals that year (1986).
The region was absolutely loaded then though, which I know you remember.
Clay was state runner-up in 1985 and Cumberland was just as good with Lewis Morris, Paul Gaffney, Richard Washington etc. Harlan had Jeff Miller and Rodrick Robinson and company, Middlesboro had Lawrence Buell and Knox Central was also very talented.