[HCS]

Harlan messed up when they petitioned KHSAA to stay in their district rather than move over one district to the Pikeville/Paintsville/Hazard district. Sure they would have tougher games in regular season but that would just prepare them for playoffs. With cross district play the first 2 rounds of the playoffs they likely could have avoided Pikeville those rounds and played their old district foes to advance. They have a better chance competing and advancing in that scenario.  Now, every year they are looking at playing Pikeville who is loaded for the next 3 years and will always be Pikeville, or Paintsville/Hazard.  Those last two are young and had tough seasons but the next few years are going to be much better.  Harlan chose poorly.  I hope they get someone to get some interest from the kids they do have enrolled and be more competitive moving forward.  Harlan, Pineville, Lynn Camp all remind me of small schools like Phelps who now has problems just getting enough kids out to have a team and unfortunately it will probably get worse with population decline in those areas.  This and consolidation is the major reason why 1A is watered down now.

The way things are now, they would finish 4th every year in that district and play Middlesboro or W-burg in the first round. I don't think that would have been better. Harlan has dominated Lynn Camp in recent years and has at least a 50-50 chance of beating Pineville. They actually led Williamsburg 14-0 at halftime this year and was within 8 against Middlesboro in the second half. They have a better chance to win in that district.