[SpyDa]

The early 80's teams were the ones led by Mark Cline who later went on to play at Wake Forest. They were very good, but I dont think they were ever rated as high as the #2 team in the country. I remember that they had some epic and well publicized battles with the Todd May led Virgie teams at that time. Best I remember, Virgie came out on top of those games too. I know that Mark's family had a home at Lovely in Martin County, so he probably should have been a Sheldon Clark Cardinal to begin with. I'm sure that his friendship with Todd May had a little to do with Todd winding up at Wake Forest after he left UK.

Cline lived in South Williamson, KY (Belfry feeder territory). He played in the Pike County Grade School tournament several times for South Williamson Panthers. He didnt attend Belfry for several reasons probably the biggest was that his older brother was not rehired after only one year of coaching at the school. This happened a couple of yrs before Mark was to enter BHS, and left a deep whole in what was to be BHS' 1st regional championship group. His dad did own a home down there (Coal mine operator) but Mark rarely stayed there. Williamson actually beat Virgie at Williamson however Todd May only played about half the game due to foul trouble.:popcorn: