Who Was the Best KY High School Player in the SWEET 16 EVER?

[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

Who is your favorite Kentucky HIGH SCHOOL basketball player of all time?

My favorite and quite possibly the best--

Richie Farmer.

I remember seeing him in his first Sweet 16 appearance as an 8th grader (with a full beard), against Hopkinsville.

[i-dono]

Todd May!

[-STAT-]

no brainer.....KING Kelly Coleman

[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

I was wondering how long it would take until the "King" was brought up.

It is not real hard to understand why. But, when you look at a players entire career--Farmer really should be at the top. And--I understand that the supporting cast has a lot to do with how often Farmer was there--but still, I can't see anyone else there.

Todd May--that is an interesting name to bring into the discussion.

There are some great names that stand out from over the years. For instance:
Billy Bob Owens (Wayne Co)
Shane Crum/Robbie Fulks (Clark Co)
Russell Farmer/Russell Chadwell (Clay Co)
Reggie Hanson/Shannon Fraley (Pulaski Co)
Ralph Richardson (Russell Co)
Maurice Morris (Fairdale)
Travis Ford (Madisonville North Hopkins)
Allan Houston (Balland)
Desmond Porter (PRP)

And 1000's of others. But I don't know if anyone is better than Richie.

[Beef]

You mentioned the supporting staff the Farmer had. So how is King Kelly not better? I mean he had to do it on his own. Not to mention his state records:

Total Points -- 4,337 (690 over 2nd)
Points in Season -- 1734 (285 over 2nd)
3rd PPG/Season -- 46.8


Richie Farmer not even 3,000 points but 2,286 attempts -- shot 51%

Then they both have a Mr. Basketball -- 1956 & 1988.

[Doc Holliday]

Wes Unseld

[Wyatt Earp]

Wes Unseld
Exactly Doc. He did not have the press followings that some of the others did but He was a monster in the paint. I believe he went on to play at Louisville where he was an All American and then to the NBA where he was the top rebounder for years. Correct me if I am wrong Doc.

[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

You mentioned the supporting staff the Farmer had. So how is King Kelly not better? I mean he had to do it on his own. Not to mention his state records:

Total Points -- 4,337 (690 over 2nd)
Points in Season -- 1734 (285 over 2nd)
3rd PPG/Season -- 46.8


Richie Farmer not even 3,000 points but 2,286 attempts -- shot 51%

Then they both have a Mr. Basketball -- 1956 & 1988.

UP front--my argument is kind of weak--but even with the supporting cast--Farmer carried his team completely on his shoulders in the same manner that Kelly Coleman did. And when you look at overall performance--it is hard to beat 3 championship game appearances and 1 championship win. If Coleman was the force that Farmer was for his entire career--I think that we would have seen a few more appearances from the Wayland Wasps (I think that who is the "King" played for).

Also--the competition had to be a little tougher for Farmer and co. Honestly--how in the world could a guy have a LOW point total of 27 points for his senior year--nothing against Coleman--but he couldn't have been playing quality opponents with a low point total of 27.

[-STAT-]

wow....i would have never thought of Wes Unseld....thats a good one Doc!

[daynightdh]

JR Vanhoose had one of the best Sweet 16s in 1996 when they won the championship. He was there for 4 years straight and he is definitely worth mentioning.

[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

Here is another to think about:

Jeff Lamp (Ballard-1977)

I believe that he had some great performances in the Sweet 16.

[-STAT-]

Chris Lofton from Mason Co. had some impressive sweet 16 performances

[Webster]

What about J.R VanHoose....I think he is the greatest player to play in the sweet 16!

[Navigator]

Did Allan Houston play in the Sweet 16?

[jayblackcat2006]

Wes Unseld, Allan Houston, Chris Lofton, Richie Farmer, John Pelphrey, JR VanHoose, just to name a few.