[OrangenowBlue]

Shelby Valley is a very good team, however, they had a cake walk to the final game. Paducah was probably one of the weakest teams in the tournament. West Jessamine and Mason Co. were definitely not one of the top teams in the state.

The upper bracket was brutal. Ballard, Scott Co. Warren Central, Shelby Co., Christian Co. and Corbin. Ballard and Scott Co. had dog fight games to get to where they did.

It didn't suprise me to see Ballard get beat in the finals. After beating Shelby Co., Warren Central and Scott Co. in three of the toughest games they've played all year over a span of three days, probably wore Ballard down. Also the emotional high they came off of after the first three close wins. They possibly thought they had the championship won after beating Scott Co. and underestimated Shelby Valley.

Coming into the championship game wore out and emotionally drained probably had something to do with the outcome.

Not taking anything away from Shelby Valley because they were a very good team, but the "stars were alligned" for SV. Their draw could not have been any better if they were to pick the teams they played in the Sweet Sixteen themselves.

Now to your comment about basketball being down. I don't agree, there were more top teams in the state than there has been in years; and as far as talent being down, no way. I bet there will be more kids going on to the next level this year than there has been in several years. The 2010 class was loaded. No Darrius Miller but several just below his level.

Would you have stated this if Ballard had the same draw as Shelby Valley and had won the championship. I doubt it. There is no asterisks or noted handicaps of who got a better or worse draw. You are incorrect in stating Ballard beat those teams in three days. It was four. They had a day of rest. Shelby Valley did not. They also played earlier Saturday then Shelby Valley therefore, giving them more time to rest . As far as being emotionally drained, in 2005 South Laurel defeated Pleasure Ridge Park in overtime on Saturday morning and went on to defeat Warren Central in the state championship. So maybe mountain kids are not as athletically "gifted" as a whole as some of the larger schools in larger populated areas but this may be evidence that they are mentally "tougher". Shelby Valley is a small school with enrollment of around 500 students whose team was all home grown boys. Scott County had an all-star AAU team with transfers from all over the state with a student enrollment of over 2200 kids. Shelby County over 1800. Ballard over 1700. Warren Central around 1100. 50 years down the road people are not going to remember Shelby Valley as the team that won the state tournament coming out of an easy bracket. They are going to be remembered as a small school who won the state championship against a school twice their size. There will be no asterisks. Just the statement: Shelby Valley - 2010 KHSAA State Champions.