[EKUAlum05]

6. Knox Central and Whitley County are both examples of solid programs that are capped off in their potential. In both cases I think the fan-bases have to be proud of the level of their programs, but also wondering what changes need to occur to take the next step. Whitley looked to make a coaching change at the right time as they were taking a noticeable slide, and have since returned to a more accustomed trend. The next three-four years for Whitley will be key. If the program does not ascend there may be only one way to go.

Knox's 2019 performance is troubling after nice efforts in 2017 and 2018. With the proximity of Whitley, Knox, Williamsburg, and Corbin it iwll be interesting if they all play at a solid but not elite level, or if one school will peak and force another to decline.

North Laurel was a pleasant surprise to see in the Top 15, but the Jags are in a dangerous spot as well. 2018 and 2019 were not the way you wanted to see the numbers trend as it is now starting to revert back to the days pre-Chris Larkey and make you wonder if they have missed their window for growth?

7. Now the hard luck portion of our stats. No numbers are more schizophrenic than Breathitt County and Pburg. Breathitt has seven season where they were competitive with almost anyone in EKY, they also have 7 years where they were among the weakest. Prestonsburg is really feeling the pinch right now as the numbers at Derossett's twilight are staggering. It is also no surprise that they have trended down right as Johnson Central, Paintsville, and Pikeville has surged. Simply put, Pburg needs to keep their talent pool within to ever reach the level they once knew.

For Breathitt they were hit hard by a massive deficit of losing a legendary coach still at a high level as well as external factors that caused their talent pool to drain suddenly. With Moore now established as the HC you are seeing them bounce back as their feeder system is restored. They just had a bumper crop of talent so a slight regression may be expected or they may maintain this level.

8. At the bottom of the Top 20 are three interesting cases:
Williamsbut, much like Pikeville, is reaching the point of program maturity under a fully established Coach. Herron's peak years are now and you have seen a couple nice surges including their best crop of talent that led them to two State Finals. Williamsburg has to find a way to keep their talent pool rich with the three bigger programs around them fighting for growth. A 1A team can co-exist with a powerful bigger school, but seldom can they with two or three strong bigger schools. The best thing Williamsburg can hope for is coaching turnover or regression at two of the three schools nearby.

Middlesboro: A legend fades, they struggle to find the right guy, and now a legend enters. Expect Middlesboro to make a noticeable rise under Coach French as long as he stays, but without a great HC we saw what happens to Middlesboro with a monster like Dudley Hilton up the road.

Paintsville: Much criticism has been thrown at Paintsville's staff for some sideline antics, but one thing you must say is Chirico has some coaching and program building chops! Chirico came to Paintsville in 2013. The three years prior they were literally one of the worst teams in all of Kentucky. Just by being on the sideline they improved to an average team in 2013, then an above average team in 2014, and ever since they have been a Top 10 program in EKY.

The key for Paintsville is to do whatever it takes to not lose the arms race against rival Pikeville and in-town big school juggernaut Johnson Central who are both evolving. If Paintsville can keep up with the Jones' and continue to churn out strength at the feeder level it is clear they have a history of success ahead as long as Chirico is there.