ASHLAND, Ky. – The debate has raged for years in Ashland about which Tomcat basketball champion was the greatest of all time.

Was it the undefeated state and national champion 1928 Tomcats or those dominating 1961 Tomcats? Even the many who saw both teams play couldn’t decide. It was a coin flip. Or an argument. They both deserved the title of being the GOAT (greatest of all time).

During the 1961 season, even before those Tomcats were crowned state champions, the newspaper put together a group to rank the teams. They said No.1 belonged to the 1928 wonder boys who went 37-0. Winning the national tournament, which stopped in 1930, may have given them the edge. The best way to decide was if they could play each other but that wasn’t possible.

Until now.

It’s time to decide it on the court with a two-game simulation series between these Tomcat championship teams. Here’s some good news: There will be no travel involved since both of them played in the same gym. Warning to the fire marshal: There’s going to be more people in the gym than you’re going to like or is probably legal.

“They’ve talked about what would happen if we played since the day we came back from the state tournament in 1961,” said 61 Tomcat coach Bob Wright. “It’s funny because it’s not the players. They have so much respect for each other. These rabid Tomcat fans always want something to argue over. So I say, let’s play it and see what happens.”

The first game will be played with the rules from 1928 with jump balls after every made basket and no over-and-back penalty – players are free to roam anywhere on the court. There is no 10-second count to get it across the halfcourt line since there is no halfcourt line.

“This is going to be strange,” admitted Tomcat star Larry Conley. “But we’re ready. We’ll play it their way or any way. I just want to settle this thing once and for all.”

You’d have thought the championship of the world was being staged based on attendance and interest. They came two hours before tipoff and lined up in the parking lot outside. It was a sight to behold. There were a couple of fights as people pushed and shoved to keep their place in line. Attendance was going to be cut off at 1,500, but there was nearly that many already in line with cars coming down Lexington Avenue. Somehow scalpers already had a handful of tickets and they were going for $2 – a hefty fee in 1928.

Fans were allowed in about an hour before tipoff, racing to seats on their respective sides of the floor. The end zone seats were being reserved for dignitaries. The governor himself was supposed to make an appearance. That would be Flem D. Sampson, a Republican, who was the 42^nd governor of the Commonwealth. That’s how big this game had become.

As the teams began warming up, they also started sizing up each other. That was easier for the 28 Tomcats as they looked at some tall timber on the other end of the floor.

The 61 Tomcats were big, much bigger than anybody they had faced. But don’t take that wrong. These 28 Tomcats weren’t afraid of anything and that included the mighty 61 Tomcats.

Within 15 minutes of the doors opening, there wasn’t a seat remaining in the gym. There was a dustup in one corner with a lot of yelling and finger-pointing, but ordered was quickly restored. They found out later it had something to do with the local bookie, who was trying to set a line. Impossible on this one. Just pick ’em.

No game was bigger. It was the Super Bowl of Tomcat basketball and the fanfare that came with it was magnificent aside from Gov. Sampson’s 10-minute speech before tipoff. Nobody seemed interested in anything that wasn’t basketball. A quartet from the 28 Glee Club choir sang the national anthem.

Both teams finished warming up and went to the downstairs locker room for last-minute instructions. It was kind of weird for the 61 Tomcats who, for this game were the visitors on the scoreboard and dressed in the visitor dressing room. There wasn’t much difference. The showers didn’t work well in either one of them.

Jimmy Anderson, the 1928 Tomcat coach, had been asked hundreds of times about what would have happened if these teams ever met. He was always complimentary of both teams, a true gentleman.

“I cheered for those boys, too,” he said. “A remarkable team for their day. I’ve never seen passing like that. The only team that comes even close was that 2020 team we played last week.”

The 1928-2020 two-game series, matching the only undefeated Tomcat teams in history, ended in a draw with each winning on the other’s floor.

And now this matchup was carrying some of the same intensity. Ellis Johnson, one of the 28 stars, wished his son, Ken, a member of the 61 team, well after warmups. Ken Johnson was a sophomore on the 61 team but didn’t see much action.

“We’ve talked a lot about this game and what would happen,” Ellis Johnson said of conversations with his son. “I guess we’re about to find out.”

The game was loud and it was full. The State Police had escorted Gov. Sampson in while the teams were in the downstairs dressing rooms. When they came back onto the floor it was so loud that it made your hair hurt.

“I guess when the governor of Kentucky comes to watch you play basketball, it’s a pretty big deal,” Wright said.

The game tipped off but the noise level never dropped. Not once. It was a constant roar.

The teams went back and forth with Harold Sergent’s driving layup making it an 8-4 advantage for the biggest lead of the first half. The 28 Tomcats led 20-19 at intermission and everybody in the gym was buzzing. Whatever size and strength edge the 61 Tomcats thought they had, seemed to have disappeared. What they found facing them was a raw-boned team that was just as strong and savvy on how to play their style of basketball.

“We could never get any momentum going because of the jump ball thing,” Sergent said. “Daggone it, we’d score and they have to jump it up. And I don’t know how many times we got our hand on the tip, but they ended up with the ball. I tell you what, too, Gene Strother and Ellis can flat-out play the game.”

The game settled into a defensive war in the third quarter. Only 11 points were scored by the two teams combined as both of them took advantage of a passing exhibition. It was hard to follow where the ball was going. There were no-look, behind-the-back and other passes that had the fans standing and cheering and wanting more.

But when the quarter ended, the 28 Tomcats had built on their lead to 26-24 when Strother, who led all scorers with 13, hit a layup off a rifle pass from Darrell Darby.

“I never saw it coming,” said 61 Tomcat Steve Cram. “It was in his hands and in the basket just like that,” he said, snapping his fingers.

Dale Sexton, who came off the 61 bench, put his team ahead 31-30 for the first time since the end of the first quarter. He added two more big baskets in the fourth quarter, too.

“Dale gave us a big boost there,” Wright said. “That was six big points. In a game like this, with the pace like it was, any basket was big. Three of them was a rally.”

The teams exchanged leads two more times and with the 61 Tomcat leading 35-34, Johnson got open for a two-handed set shot from the left wing that swished to make it 36-35 with only 22 seconds remaining. Gene Smith successfully tipped the ball to Conley on the jump and Wright called a timeout.

Strategy was set with Cram inbounding, but the play never materialized. Phipps came out of nowhere for a steal and began to run out the time. Sergent was in full pursuit of Phipps but his dribble hit a dead spot on the floor and he had to reach down for it. Sergent caught up and was able to back-tip the ball to Conley, who gathered it in and sped down the floor with time running out. It was a perfect 3-on-1 fastbreak – just what the doctor ordered for a team that made a living that way. The 28 Tomcats never knew what hit them. A dizzying display of passing, where the ball never touched the floor, ended with Bob Hilton banking in the game-winning shot off the fan-shaped backboard as the horn sounded. It was over and it was a stunning 37-36 victory for the 61 Tomcats.

“I don’t think we settled anything here tonight except to say these are two outstanding basketball teams with great players,” Anderson said. “We look forward to the rematch.”

In the other dressing room, Wright lit up a stogie he’d been given before the game.

“Sweet victory!” he said. “Tremendous play by Sarge to get that backtip. That last fastbreak was a thing of beauty. It was like the Mona Lisa. They ran it like it was taught.”

What about the rematch game with the more uptempo style?

“Get your tickets early,” Wright said. “It’s going to be a barnburner.”

Real life

Ashland’s 1961 team is regarded as one of the greatest champions in Sweet 16 history. They finished 36-1 and every game in the state tournament was won by double figures. All five starters earned Division I college scholarships.

Ashland’s 1928 team was state and national champion with a 37-0 record under coach Jimmy Anderson. They are one of only two unbeaten teams in Tomcat history, the other coming this year.

1961 ASHLAND (37) – Hilton 1-5 0-0 2, Cram 1-4 0-0 2, Conley 6-8 0-0 12, Sergent 2-6 6-7 10, Smith 1-3 0-0 2, Sexton 3-4 0-1 6, Daniel 1-4 1-2 3, Fairchild 0-0 0-0 0. FG: 15-34 FT: 7-10. Rebounds: 25 (Hilton 3, Cram 3, Conley 6, Sergent 2, Smith 7, Sexton 2, Daniel 1, Fairchild 1). Assists: 8 (Hilton 3, Cram 3, Conley 2). PF: 15. Turnovers: 7.

1928 ASHLAND (36) – Johnson 2-5 4-8 8, Phipps 1-4 1-1 3, Darby 2-6 0-0 4, Fullerton 0-5 0-0 0, Strother 4-6 5-5 13, Riffe 1-3 0-0 2, Barney 1-1 0-0 2, Hemlepp 1-1 0-0 2, Allen 1-1 0-0 2. FG: 14-30. FT: 10-14. Rebounds: 20 (Johnson 5, Phipps 1, Darby 7, Fullerton 4, Strother 3). Assists: 8 (Johnson 4, Darby 3). PF: 10. Turnovers: 6.

1961 ASHLAND        8         11         5         13       –         37
1928 ASHLAND        7         13         6         10       –        36

ASHLAND, Ky. – Ashland’s ultimate team was matched up against one of the program’s most prolific scorers at the old Ashland High School late Friday night.

The 2020 Tomcats took on the 1956 Tomcats and George Carroll, a 5-foot-9 guard, who came into the game with a big reputation and the ability to put up points in bunches. During his senior season, he had games of 52, 40 and six others in the 30s. He took aim on these futuristic Tomcats, but they were ready.

“We knew what kind of scorer he is and the key was not to let him go nuts, and contain everybody else,” said 2020 Tomcat coach Jason Mays. “I thought we did a decent job of that with our defense. We switched off on Carroll to make sure he didn’t wear us down.”

Carroll scored his points, collecting 25, and Bill Emmett scored 18 but no other 56 Tomcat cracked double figures. And the freewheeling and balanced 2020 Tomcats put five in double figures and made an incredible 27 of 29 free throws. They also bombed in 11-of-23 shots from behind the arc in a balanced attack that led to an 85-70 victory. It was a familiar formula for the 2020 Tomcat team that produced 33 consecutive victories.

“It’s such a special group of young men,” Mays said. “I would coach these guys forever if I could.”

The final margin of 15 points, but it was a much tighter game. It was tied 16 times and there was a dozen lead changes.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Carroll drove for a basket and was fouled. He sank the free throw to make it 61-56. But that was the closest the 56 Tomcats would come. Ethan Sellars ignited a 12-3 run for the 2020 Tomcats that made it 73-59. He had his own mini-run of six consecutive points, scoring on a fastbreak, a drive and a putback on consecutive possessions.

“Selly was big for us there,” Mays said. “Those guys were hanging around and hanging around. But that was it. Selly took care of them. He is a streaky kind of player.”

Colin Porter scored 17, Ethan Hudson and Cole Villers 16 apiece, Sellars 12 and Justin Bradley 11. It was a typically balanced performance from the 2020 Tomcats. However, after the game, they were all talking about the 27 of 29 free throw showing.

“Everybody was going to the line wondering who was going to be the first one to miss,” said Hudson. “I guess that got to me since I’m the only one who missed one. After the first one came out, I was mad at myself and started thinking about it too much.”

Hudson was 6 of 8 from the foul line while his teammates were a perfect 21 of 21. They made their first 20 attempts before Hudson missed a pair.

“I tell you what, that’s one good team,” said 1956 coach Bob Lavoy. “They’re not a big team but they did a good job against our big men. George played well, like he always does.”

Carroll was 9 of 16 shooting from the field and he made 7 of 10 free throws. Dale Griffith scored nine points and collected six rebounds and Howard Humphreys had seven points and seven rebounds for the 1956 Tomcats.

“When we pulled within five in the fourth quarter, I thought we could make a run at them but the Sellars boy took us out of it,” Lavoy said. “They were such a tough team to defend because they could score from every spot. And I’ve never seen a better passing team. They move the ball as well as anybody we played.”

Mays said the 2020 Tomcats are proving they belong with the elite teams in Ashland history.

“These guys have made their own mark in the history of this incredible program,” he said. “I know people will be talking about them for a long time, maybe forever, in Ashland.”

Real life

Ashland’s 2020 team finished the perfect season – 33-0 – but will always wonder what if. The coronavirus kept them from competing in the Sweet 16, which was cancelled.

Ashland’s 1956 team was 20-9 and bowed out against Mt. Sterling in the semifinals of the 16^th Region tournament. George Carroll’s 52-point game came against Carr Creek in the Ashland Armory in a 98-90 victory. It was the first game of a doubleheader that night. The second game feature the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

2020 ASHLAND (85) – Gillum 0-2 4-4 4, Bradley 3-8 2-2 11, Villers 3-9 606 16, Phillips 2-5 0-0 4, Hudson 5-6 6-8 16, Porter 5-6 5-5 17, Adkins 1-1 0-0 3, Atkins 0-2 0-0 0, Sellars 4-9 2-2 12, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Conway 0-2 2-2 2. FG: 23-50. FT: 27-29. 3FG: 11-23 (Gillum 0-2, Bradley 3-5, Villers 4-7, Phillips 0-3, Porter 2-2, Adkins 1-1, Atkins 0-1, Sellars 2-2, Conway 0-2). Rebounds: 25 (Gillum 1, Villers 5, Phillips 5, Hudson 3, Porter 1, Adkins 3, Sellars 4, Davis 1, Conway 2). Assists: 10 (Gillum 2, Bradley 2, Villers 1, Phillips 1, Porter 3). PF: 22. Turnovers: 10.

1956 ASHLAND (70) – Emmett 7-10 3-4 18, Griffith 3-7 1-1 9, Wellman 0-0 0-0 0, Carroll 9-16 7-10 25, Humphreys 3-4 0-0 6, Wright 1-5 909 4 6, Frazier 2-5 1-1 5, Church 0-3 1-2 1, Meeks 0-2 0-0 0. FG: 25-52. FT: 17-22. 3FG: 3-9 (Emmett 1-3, Griffith 2-4, Frazier 0-1, Church 0-1). Rebounds: 22 (Emmett 1, Griffith 6, Carroll 1, Humphreys 7, Wright 2, Frazier 4, Meeks 1). Assists: 15 (Emmett 8, Griffith 2, Wellman 1, Carroll 2, Wright 2). PF: 20. Turnovers: 13.

2020 ASHLAND        23         18         20         24       –         85

1956 ASHLAND        24         14         15         17         –        70

ASHLAND, Ky. – Ashland’s 1992 and 1966 basketball teams had a lot in common so it stood to reason this one would be close.

Both were high-scoring teams who won regional championships, they had nearly identical records and they both had Lynches – perhaps the first family of Tomcat basketball – on the roster.

In the family feud, Rob Lynch outscored his father, Bob, and Uncle Bill, 33-25, in the best individual performance so far in the simulation series between Tomcat teams.

His 33 points came on 9-for-14 shooting from the field, including 4 of 7 triples. He couldn’t miss and it was enough for the 92 Tomcats to defeat the 1966 Tomcats, 85-77, in a highly entertaining game at Anderson gym.

Entertaining, that is, except for some of the Lynches who were on the losing end.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say his grandpa was the referee, the way they protected him,” Bill Lynch said of trying to defend his nephew. “We couldn’t get near him without hearing a whistle.”

“It was like he had a cone of protection around him,” said Bob Lynch. “Once they saw he was hot, they kept running the offense through him. I was having flashbacks of Pete Maravich (who Lynch defended when he played for Alabama). You’d fight through screen after screen to get near him and when you got within the ‘cone,’ the whistle blew. We’ll replay this game tonight in the driveway, maybe one-on-one style without referees, and see how it turns out.”

Rob Lynch made it a parade to the foul line, drilling 11 of 12, and getting his team off to a big start.

“Those guys are hilarious,” Rob said of his uncle and dad. “I may have been a little extra motivated playing against them. Those guys were a step slow, just sayin’. Kudos to my guys. They got the ball to me in the right spots.”

Point guard Jason Strader had 10 points and seven assists. He said when Rob Lynch made his first 3-pointer from the deep corner, with his dad draped all over him, he knew it was going to be his night.

“Rob is like that. When he’s hot, he’s hot,” Strader said. “I knew where to get the ball.”

It was Rob Lynch’s early scoring that provided the eight-point cushion that the 92 Tomcats were able to maintain throughout the game. He scored 12 of the first 18, with his second trey making it 18-9. The teams played dead even the rest of the way. In fact, they scored the same totals in the second, third and fourth quarters.

“Everything was pretty equal except we had a red-hot Rob Lynch,” said 92 Tomcat coach Jeff Hall. “I knew he was going to be jacked-up for this one. I saw it in his eyes during warmups. He wanted it and he handed it to his dad and uncle. By the way, I love those guys. Two of the greatest athletes in Ashland history. The Lynch family has provided a lot to the tradition of the Tomcats.”

Bill Lynch scored 17 and brother Bob had eight points and four assists. Clint Wheeler collected 19 points and 12 rebounds and Benny Spears also scored 19 for the 66 Tomcats.

“That first quarter was the difference in the game,” said 66 coach Harold Cole, whose team trailed 26-18 after the first quarter. “It seemed like we were chasing them all night long.”

The 66 Tomcats pulled with 56-54 on a short jumper from Steve Hilton and then 60-59 on a spinning move to the basket from Spears late in the third quarter. But it was Rob Lynch to the rescue with a driving layup and pair of free throws for a 64-59 lead.

Nathan Kirk, who scored 13, made some big plays down the stretch. He had seven rebounds and made 7 of 10 free throws for the 92 Tomcats.

“I’m telling you, they wouldn’t let us near them,” Bill Lynch said. “It seemed like those guys were going to the foul line every time down the floor.”

Fred Keeton pulled down 10 rebounds for the 92 Tomcats, who were 29 of 42 from the foul line. The 66 Tomcats made 26 of 34 free throws. The teams combined for 49 fouls in a physically played game.

“It wasn’t like the whistles were only blowing one way,” Hall said. “I know the fans had to love this game though.”

Real life

Ashland’s 1966 team won the region by defeating Russell and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sweet 16 before bowing out 82-63 against Louisville Male.

Ashland’s 1992 team won the regional title with a pulsating victory over Boyd County, had a treacherous ride home from Morehead when a brake pad thrown off an overpass went through the bus’s windshield. They lost a 72-70 heartbreaker to Pleasure Ridge Park in the Sweet 16.

 1966 ASHLAND (77) – Bob Lynch 2-5 4-4 8, Spears 6-12 6-6 19, Hilton 2-9 3-4 7, Wheeler 5-7 8-12 18, Bill Lynch 7-10 3-4 17, Carr 1-3 1-2 3, B.Workman 1-1 0-0 2, W.Workman 0-0 1-2 1, Lett 1-2 0-0 2, Sieweke 0-2 0-0 0. FG: 25-51. FT: 26-34. 3FG: 1-6 (Bob Lynch 0-2, Spears 1-4). Rebounds: 33 (Bob Lynch 2, Carr 2, Spears 5, Hilton 5, Wheeler 12, Bill Lynch 5, W.Workman 2, Lett 1. Assists: 7 (Bob Lynch 4, Spears 1, Hilton 1, B.Workman 1). PF: 26. Turnovers: 16.

1992 ASHAND (85) – Strader 4-10 2-2 10, Lynch 9-14 11-12 33, Kirk 3-6 7-10 13, Keeton 2-6 1-4 5, Smith 2-4 2-6 6, Messer 1-4 4-4 6, Thomas 3-6 0-2 6, Robinson 0-2 2-2 2, Greene 2-4 0-0 4. FG: 26-56. FT: 29-42. 3FG: 4-7 (Lynch 4-6, Greene 0-1). Rebounds: 32 (Strader 1, Lynch 1, Messer 4, Kirk 7, Keeton 10, Smith 3, Thomas 4, Robinson 1, Greene 1). Assists: 12 (Strader 7, Lynch 2, Kirk 1, Keeton 1, Greene 1). PF: 23. Turnovers: 9.

1966 ASHLAND       18         21         24         14        –            77

1992 ASHLAND       26         21         14         14         –            85

ASHLAND, Ky. – Even before it was announced that the 1980 and 2002 Ashland Tomcat basketball teams were going to square off in Anderson gym, there was a buzz about the “Battle of the Bigs.”

All the what ifs were about to become reality.

Two of the greatest “bigs” in Tomcat history – 1980’s Jeff Tipton and 2002’s Mark Surgalski – were matched up in a colossal basketball feast for the eyes for Tomcat fans.

The 6-foot-9 Tipton and 6-8 Surgalski were surrounded with talent on their teams and they were no strangers to the bright lights of the Sweet Sixteen with four appearances between them. That made this gigantic matchup more enticing and one of the most anticipated games in the simulated series.

It lived up to the great expectations, coming down to one final trip down the floor with the game on the line and every fan holding their breath while somehow cheering high decibels at the same time. (Don’t ask me how that happened, I’m a writer, not a scientist).

They had battled through seven lead changes and eight ties and one big comeback. The 2002 Tomcats had built a 41-23 lead after Surgalski dunked over Tipton with 1:30 remaining in the first half. It was emphatic. It was convincing. And even embarrassing.

“Man, he was kicking my hind-end,” Tipton said. “He was a lot stronger and quicker than I’d imagined.”

Surgalski’s first half included 12 points and five rebounds as the 2002 Tomcats went into the locker room with a 41-27 advantage.

Tipton was having a tough shooting night, missing six of eight shots in the first half. But things would get better for him and the 1980 Tomcats.

Surgalski could count on one of the best athletes in Ashland history to help him. Arliss Beach, who was best known for his skills as a running back for the Tomcats, was a combination of power and speed that few could match. He also had an explosive first step to the basket, which sent him hurtling to the goal like a freight train. There was not much the 80 Tomcats could do but foul him, so they did. He was 9 of 9 on free throws in the first half alone.

“We didn’t have anybody who could match up with him in strength or quickness,” said 80 Tomcat coach Ernie Simpson. “I guess you could tell that by how many times we fouled him. That had to stop in the second half.”

It was going to be a long road back for the 80 Tomcats, who weren’t a come-from-behind team. But behind John Anderson’s playmaking (10 points, 8 assists), Dirk Anders’ rebounding (14) and Doug Smith’s scoring (12 points, all in the second half), they got on the comeback trail.

Anderson and McCauley both battled foul trouble trying to stop Beach’s powerful moves to the basket. McCauley was 6-3 but his wingspan was much longer, however, Beach bodied him while going to the basket.

Meanwhile, Surgalski and Tipton hammered on each other all night long in a battle that was worth the price of admission

“I’ve never been so tired after a game,” Surgalski said. “Tip is a load in there. Lean on him for 32 minutes and see how you feel. He knows how to use his size well.”

The 80 Tomcats kept hanging around and overtook the 02 Tomcats 55-54 after Tipton sank two free throws early in the fourth quarter. He went on to make 9 of 10 foul shots.

“It was so methodical the way they came back on us,” said 02 Tomcat coach Mike Flynn. “You could feel it coming. I took a couple of timeouts, but it was like a wave, and it kept growing and finally crashed on us.”

It looked like the 02 Tomcats had weathered the storm though after an 8-0 run sent them from down 61-57 to ahead 65-61 with four minutes to play. Consecutive short jumpers from Anderson retied it at 65 and it was still tied at 69 with 1:23 remaining.

Smith scored to put the 80 Tomcats ahead 71-69 and Jeremy Howell tied it at 71 with 30 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, the 80 Tomcats began holding it for on for one last shot.

Everybody was looking inside to Tipton, who was trying to post up Surgalski. The action – and elbows – were fierce and flyin’ from the competitive big men. McCauley was stopped on a drive to the basket and he lofted a pass it to Tipton, who grabbed it with one hand, looked left, spun right and shot a hook shot over Surgalski’s outstretched hand. It was perfect and swished through the net for a 73-71 victory as time expired.

The 80 Tomcats had completed the comeback from 18 points down and Tipton had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a Tomcat “Bigs” showdown for the ages. His free throw shooting stunned even him. “You better check that,” he said. “Nine for 10? I’ve never done that.”

“I didn’t even know he had that shot,” Simpson said of the game-winning hook shot that looked like one of Willis Reed’s rainbows. “But we wanted to get it inside to him. What a great game from all our guys. Greg could have taken the shot at the end and, knowing him, probably would have made it.”

Surgalski and Beach scored 19 apiece for the 02 Tomcats, who felt like they let one get away. One alarming statistic was a 1-for-15 showing from the 3-point line. The 80 team didn’t attempt a 3-pointer and held a whopping 46-24 rebounding advantage.

“We had ‘em, man, we had ‘em on the ropes,” said Beach, who was 11 of 14 from the foul line. “They’re good though and so big. I felt like I was going through the forest on some of those drives. They kind of shut those lanes down on me.”

Flynn said it was a tough loss to take after the 02 Tomcats played so well in the first half.

“We knew who we were playing and knew they had the ability to come back,” he said. “I don’t know if we set on the lead or not, but, Arliss is right, we had them down and didn’t finish the job. Can we play this one again? I’ll let Adam Howard do some of the coaching next time around.”

Real life

2002 Ashland won the regional title by defeating upstart Rose Hill and O.J. Mayo in an emotional championship. The Tomcats bowed out in the Sweet 16 against Lexington Catholic but won the hearts of their fans with the win over Rose Hill.

1980 Ashland won the last of five consecutive regional titles and then reached the quarterfinals of the Sweet 16 where Jeff Tipton’s 41 points was not enough in a 97-92 overtime loss to Covington Holmes.

2002 ASHLAND (71) – Howell 1-7 1-2 3, Davis 3-11 2-4 9, Surgalski 7-12 5-6 19, J.Cook 2-6 1-2 5, Beach 4-9 11-14 19, Johnson 3-6 0-0 6, Hendrickson 3-4 2-6 8, Howard 0-5 0-0 0, Salyer 0-1 0-0 0, C.Cook 0-1 0-0 0, Miller 1-1 0-0 2. FG: 24-63. FT: 22-32. 3FG: 1-15 (Howell 0-3, Davis 1-6, Surgalski 0-2, Beach 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Howell 0-2). Rebounds: 24 (Davis 3, Howell 1, Surgalski 4, J.Cook 4, Beach 7, Johnson 1, Hendrickson 2, Howard 1, Salyer 1). Assists: 12 (Howell 7, Surgalski 1, J.Cook 2, Beach 1, Johnson 1). PF: 16. Turnovers: 11.

1980 ASHLAND (73) – McCauley 4-9 202 19, Anders 4-8 0-0 8, Smith 5-6 2-3 12, Tipton 5-15 9-10 19, Haller 3-5 0-0 6, McWhorter 1-2 0-0 2, Crank 0-2 0-0 0, Daniel 0-2 0-0 0, Farrow 2-4 2-2 6. FG: 29-62. FT: 15-17. 3FG: None. Rebounds: 46 (McCauley 2, Anders 14, Smith 5, Tipton 11, Anderson 2, Haller 2, McWhorter 2, Daniel 2, Farrow 6). Assists: 18 (McCauey 4, Anderson 8, Anders 2, McWhorter 1, Crank 2, Farrow 1). PF: 26. Turnovers: 23.

2002 ASHLAND       25       16       13       17            –           71

1980 ASHLAND       14       13       22       24            –           73