[Squid]

The truth is, mightydog, that Squid is quite a good spinner.

Thank you, Truth. As usual, you insist on conflating your opinions with facts, while insisting that you (and only you) speak the truth. Sadly, that doesn't appear that it will change in this post, or any time soon. Like Aunt Martha's gas, we'll just have to live with it, I guess.

... We can argue as to whether the wound was entirely self-inflicted or if it was "assisted" by a couple of its local opponents. It doesn't matter because the result is the same.

Ah, but there's the rub, Truth. It actually DOES matter, whether the wound was self inflicted or not. Only to a diehard apologist like yourself would it NOT matter.

To a lot of people in the area - and I do mean a LOT - Rose Hill sold its soul for a shot at athletic glory. The church lost a significant number of families, some of which attended for generations. All for the sake of a few egos. There is absolutely no question that the wound was self inflicted. The amazing thing is, even after the first fiasco, the powers that be in the school side of the operation refused to learn from its mistake. Instead, they simply reloaded the gun and shot off a few more toes.

In my opinion, the powers at Ashland didn't handle the situation as well as they could have. The decision to exclude the Rose Hill grade school teams from the Ashland City League was not a smart move. The actual result of that was to punish kids for the actions of adults - which is never a good move. On the other hand, those same people felt (at that time) that something had to be done about the "open season" on the Ashland feeder system, and they (apparently) didn't see any other options. Either way, one mistake was answered with another, and the die was cast.

In the end, in modern basketball history, the 64th District is known not for Ashland's ancient champions, but for the magic that Ovinton Mayo brought to the area with coverage from the national media (remember ESPN followed him around for days) and fans travelling literally hundreds of miles to see him play. He was special and he was at Rose Hill. So, when you see those from Rose Hill who have been shot at in some of these posts and those individuals are smiling, you will understand the source of that smirk on their faces. It makes a fine memory.

I often marvel at your phrasing, Truth. When you speak of any accomplishment of the Ashland athletic programs, it is always "ancient history". Yet, when you speak of OJ Mayo (your personal redeemer), it's as if he played in a game just last night. History is history. Right now, there is only one champion of the 16th region - Elliott County. They will hold the crown until late February. If you wish to continue to live vicariously through OJ and Walker, then you need to realize that the only difference between them and Larry Conley is simply a matter of degree.

That, fellow posters, is the truth whether you like it or not.

... and once again, Aunt Martha's gas is filling the room. It is a fact that Ashland stopped playing Rose Hill at one point in time. What you stated was your opinion as to the reason why.

Your insatiable need to express your self importance doesn't actually make you right. And THAT is a fact.