[PHSForever]

Every year it is the same complaint. Yeah, I’d love to see it back in the high schools, packed gyms, etc. but the arena gives them more of a feel for the Rupp Experience too. More size for normal years, good parking with the garage just down the street, easy access for team buses, etc. and probably most important to the schools, it can host both boys and girls with quick turnarounds, and not have (like it used to be in my day) sometimes boys and girls playing in completely different places.

[Sports72]

Best Explanation I've heard.  I agree!

[jetpilot]

^^^I agree also...Only reason whatsoever to move would be if more $$$ would be made elsewhere, and I doubt that could happen in a high school gym...

[theprez]

I just wished the expo would get seating on the one baseline and then drop a curtain behind it. it is distracting watching a game and seeing 100 kids playing on the floor.

[J. R. VanHoose]

Just some statistics for those who would like to use them in this debate.

The first regional tournament held at the East Kentucky Expo Center was in 2006. Since that time (2006-2021), teams from the 15th Region in the state tournament are:

8-14 (win% of .364)

15th Region teams winning games in that time period include:
Paintsville (1-1, 2008)
Shelby Valley (1-1, 2009)
Shelby Valley (4-0, 2010) – STATE CHAMPIONS
Johnson Central (1-1, 2014)
Pikeville (1-1, 2018)


From 1990-2005, the same time frame, 15th Region teams in the state tournament were:

13-15 (win% of .464)

15th Region teams winning games in that time period include:
Belfry (1-1, 1992)
Allen Central (1-1, 1994)
Paintsville (4-0, 1996) – STATE CHAMPIONS
Paintsville (2-1, 1997) – FINAL FOUR
Paintsville (3-1, 1998) – STATE RUNNER-UP
Pikeville (1-1, 1999)
Johnson Central (1-1, 2000)


From 1974-1989, again the same time frame, 15th Region teams in the state tournament were:

7-16 (win% of .304)

15th Region teams winning games in that time period include:
Virgie (1-1, 1981)
Virgie (2-1, 1982) – FINAL FOUR
Sheldon Clark (1-1, 1983)
Paintsville (1-1, 1985)
Paintsville (2-1, 1987) – FINAL FOUR

[jetpilot]

^^^Virgie and Paintsville having a couple good teams back in the day is not an argument for or against the Expo IMO. Again, unless there is more $$$ to be made elsewhere, it will stay at Expo IMO.

[Cardinalfootballguy]

The Pike County powers that be don't want it to leave and we all know that the Pike County Schools have all the say in this region.

[jetpilot]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Blue_Bird96]

The Pike County powers that be don't want it to leave and we all know that the Pike County Schools have all the say in this region.

True. I see how holding Regions at a neutral location such as Allen Central field house COULDN'T be more profitable for all schools involved! We’re just handing money to the Expo that doesn’t need to be handed. Why do we insist on giving money away every year? Maybe I’m looking at it wrong but I’m not sure how I would be.

[Warriorhawk17]

YEAH AND THE FRONT OFFICE PEOPLE AT APPALACHIAN WIRELESS ARENA HARASS FANS ALSO. THEY ARE VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. THATS WHAT THEY GET WHEN THEY HIRE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T QUALIFIED

[Blue_Bird96]

The Pike County powers that be don't want it to leave and we all know that the Pike County Schools have all the say in this region.

True. I see how holding Regions at a neutral location such as Allen Central field house COULDN'T be more profitable for all schools involved! We’re just handing money to the Expo that doesn’t need to be handed. Why do we insist on giving money away every year? Maybe I’m looking at it wrong but I’m not sure how I would be.

I meant “I Don’t see how”