SWEET 16 HISTORY LESSON FOR TOMCATS IN FINAL FOUR

Final Fours in the Sweet Sixteen are euphoric or heartbreaking. Ashland has been on both sides of it through 15 previous appearances.

The Tomcats are 8-7 in those trips, including seven since 1954. Eight others were between 1920 and 1940. The last one was 25 years ago in 1996. But now, here they are again, with a date against Fort Thomas Highlands in Rupp Arena on Saturday.

Here are how these semifinal games have played out and what followed the eight victories (and even one loss).

1920: Ashland 33, Anderson County 33-15. Finals: Henry Clay 56, Ashland 13.

1924: Highlands 13, Ashland 11.

1926: Danville 19, Ashland 16.

1927: Covington Holmes 15, Ashland 13.

1928: Ashland 22, Covington Holmes 13. Finals: Ashland 13, Carr Creek 11, 4 OTs

1933: Ashland 21, Danville 20. Finals: Ashland 33, Horse Cave 25

1934: Ashland 18, Hazel Green 15. Finals: Ashland 26, Danville 13

1940: Ashland 31, Williamsburg 23. Finals: Hazel Green 35, Ashland 29

1954: Newport 73, Ashland 69. Consolation: Ashland 72, Adair County 66

1960: Maysville 61, Ashland 58.

1961: Ashland 91, Wheelwright 80. Finals: Ashland 69, Dunbar 50

1962: Ashland 73, Caneyville 49. Finals: St. Xavier 62, Ashland 58

1969: Ohio County 82, Ashland 80

1977: Valley 59, Ashland 45

1996: Ashland 64, Henderson County 58. Finals: Paintsville 71, Ashland 53

2021: ????????