LOOKING BACK

 I am a little confused with regard to where the regional tournament for the 13^th Region will be held in March of 2013.

Julian Tackett, the Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association said that if Harlan County High School could meet all the commitments that The Arena in Corbin had made and met financially to each school in the region over the past three years then Mr. Tackett said that the tournament would be held at Harlan County High School.

I have been to the Harlan County High School facility, and it is beautiful and well suited to host a regional tournament.

Paul Jones and I attended a Christmas tournament there a couple of years ago and Bob Howard, the Principal of Harlan County, was kind enough to take us on a tour of the gymnasium and we were very impressed.

I guess where the hang up with me is that there was a contract, which was put into effect in 2009 that was to hold the 13^th Region Tournament for the seasons of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

At this point and time I believe The Arena has met or surpassed the expectations of all the schools involved.

Naturally, Harlan County, Harlan Independent and probably Clay County would rather see it in Harlan.

The Arena is a neutral site with plenty of parking and comfortable seating. I see no indication of any dissatisfaction or in any way the contract was not lived up to. If it aint broke, don’t fix it.

I remember warm summer days in the decade of the 50’s. We could cool off at the YMCA pool on Third Street or try to catch a ride to Cumberland Falls and enjoy ourselves on the beach. I am sure the summer days now with temperatures rising over 100 degree entice you to hit the city pool, but there is no longer a beach at Cumberland Falls.

A number of cities now have water parks like Somerset, Richmond, Barbourville and Williamsburg.

They attract kids and families from all over. I feel like Corbin should look into it since they should be looking at a substantial increase in revenue.

The reciprocal agreement with Knox County is not going to be resolved. I have always believed a kid and their parents should be able to attend the school of their choice.

It should be up to the school system to make their school more attractive whether it is through academics or extra-curricular activities.

The NBA Draft was certainly a tribute to Coach John Calipari and the job he has done.

Can you imagine if the kids he recruited had to stay at least two years what he could have accomplished?

It seems Coach Cal never receives the credit he should have. I was very pleased to see that Anthony Davis and Darius Miller will be teammates at New Orleans. I feel Miller will be a long time player for New Orleans and I feel Davis will be in the Super Star category.

I am a fan of the Cincinnati Reds, and over the years I have suffered a lot of heartache. That may be the case again this year. I will say, however, I have never seen a better fielding second baseman than Brandon Phillips. Phillips is hitting around .290 with 10 home runs and near 50 RBI’s.