[jammin' jamey]

I don't think that Valley, Pikeville, and Paintsville are the only 15th region teams worthy of going. If you're implying that anybody outside the Big 3 is mediocre, then I have to disagree.

Granted, taking the fourth team from the 14th may make the field a bit stronger than taking somebody from the 15th who may be a notch below the Big 3, but I think that it is even more important that the tournament be an equal cross-section of WYMT's entire viewing area. If that means taking a team from the 15th like a Betsy Layne, who won't win the thing but will give a competitive game and maybe even spring an upset, then I think it is worth it.

JMO...

Do you think that for the last couple of years, the WYMT has fielded a "less than impressive" representative or two from the 15th Region just for the sake of keeping things equal?

Betsy Layne (12-16) in 2006 and had lost 8 games when the tournament rolled around. Although, they did have a nice run in the latter half of the season and regional tournament. Phelps also was a part of the tournament that year, and they upset Harlan.

In 2005, South Floyd upset Clay County, but lost their next 2 games in the tournament, including an 89-68 blowout at the hands of Perry Central. South Floyd would win the 15th Region All-A-Classic. Prestonsburg and East Ridge were also in the tournament that year and were considerably stronger than the 06 teams would be.

Last year, the tournament picked the two of the stronger 15th Region teams in Shelby Valley and Pikeville. Each team lost in the opening round.

It looks as if the compeition from the 15th has gotten weaker in the past 3 years and if two of the top 3 teams in the region decline invitation to the tournament, do you gamble and take a lesser squad?