[rawlingsfan]

3 of those 4 Region Championships came before the Region was more competitive, starting in 2006. Estill has 2 since joining the Region. Imagine how many they would have with being in the 14th the whole time. The mountains wouldn't have known what to do with a pitcher like Jon Kirby. Not saying Estill will win the region this year, because its a long shot, but I am just saying that Perry has underachieved with the teams they have had. Maybe this is their year. Good luck to everyone.

IMO the 14th region was a lot more competitive prior to 2006...and even more so prior to 1996. Enrollments have been decreasing since the mid '80s. Teams like Leslie County, Cordia, Breathitt County, Fleming-Neon, Whitesburg, Lee County, and Dilce Combs were always competitive. Even Wolfe County and Owsley County managed to win the 56th district a few times in the mid to late '90s. Buckhorn won the regional tournament in 1992. M.C. Napier, Knott Central, Hazard, and Powell County have always traditionally been strong at baseball in the 14th. Two teams reached the Final Four 1991-KCC and 1995-Hazard. Estill County would have been a contender too. But the 14th was much more competitive in the 1990's. There was no guarantee of even making it to the region for most teams.

I agree Kirby was a great player and competitor. PCC had three pitchers on one team that played professional baseball, and the #4 on that team threw it in the mid 80s. KCC had three kids go on to play at Morehead State and contribute to one of the schools only OVC Championships...the MVP of that tournament was Jason Chandler who played at Breathitt County. He ended up playing in the Reds organization.