[J. R. VanHoose]

Paintsville

1997-Finished 33-4 I believe. Many believe that this team was the best in program history. Most people blame officials for losses but this one really has some substance. Tigers had a comfortable lead in the Semi's against Highlands but lose the lead and then the game in OT. One of the officials in this game ended up being suspended by the KHSAA after they reviewed the tape for his horrendous, one-sided officiating down the stretch that allowed the Bluebirds to make the comeback.

1998-Not sure of a final record but had a marginable lead in the finals that year when Tackett went out with injury. Was also a Top 10 team in the country at one point during the season. The craziest thing about the finals was that it was a rematch between Scott Co. and Paintsville after they played each other earlier in the year in a pre-season game at Paintsville. Scott Co. won both meetings.

1987-Pelphrey(UK), Couch(UK Football), Pelphrey(ETSU), Minix, Adkins(Notre Dame). First Final Four team in team history.

1996-State Championship year. Last 10 loss team to win it all, albeit many of their losses came from national tournaments including one in Vegas where they played against Mike Bibby. Starting five was 6'10, 6'9, 6'7, 6'3, 6'2.

1986-Don't know a whole lot about them other than many of the key players off the 1987 team were a year younger.

I am looking forward to JR's book to learn a lot more about my former stomping grounds. I'm sure he can fill us in with more details.

Dale, some great teams you mentioned. It's hard to rank those particular teams, each was unique in their own way!