[Hoot Gibson]

Great synopsis 16thregioner. I certainly hope any decisions rendered don't include post season sanctions against the team. We don't know the whole story as far as the KHSAA investigation goes....but....sanctioning the team based on one phone call just wouldn't seem right....however....if the investigation includes evidence of recruiting team members that played last year or are going to play this year then I would understand sanctioning the team. I just don't want this to be another instance of a coach walking and then the program and the innocent taking the brunt of the punishment. I believe Coach Mays is a good man that just went too far. It's somewhat understandable considering he came from the collegiate ranks and has a lot of AAU ties. These are two arenas where talk like we heard from Coach Mays is just how it's done. Doesn't make it right though...this is not those arenas.
Also....I keep hearing from different posters "win at all costs"....I don't buy that, I am in no way defending what Mays did but I do believe his heart was in the right place. Time after time there are instances of him putting his players first. For example, paving the way for his best player to leave for college with one year of eligibility left. That definitely wasn't "win at ALL costs". Coach has been going through some tough life events, no need to kick the guy while he's down. And no, I'm not saying he's innocent and doesn't need to be punished as some on here will interpret my post. I've never met the guy nor any of his family but I pray he learns from this, gains some wisdom, and is able to eventually move on.

The issue is Ashland was performing at a high level because of the unfair advantage of recruiting.  If this level and way of recruiting is permissible then all schools should design coaching staffs and programs that also perform in this same manner.  That being said schools and in particular athletic directors are currently forced to hire and develop programs that develop players instead of being great recruiters and marketers of programs.  Plain and simple it is a huge, unfair competitive advantage.

Just a reminder....the only evidence that we currently have of a player being recruited is the 8th grader that has never played for Ashland. IF, the KHSAA has evidence of any players on the team from previous years being recruited THEN you are absolutely right. And they may have this evidence, we just don't know at his point. If not, then there was no unfair advantage. Kids switch schools now and days like college athletes during the transfer portal. It's just the way it is....

I stated this in my post. But we can safely assume that the KHSAA has more evidence because the Ashland administration's initial response was to dismiss the phone call as a technical violation and deliver a gentle slap on the wrist punishment. It is doubtful that KHSAA forced Mays' dismissal based on the recording alone.