[jetpilot]

Whether the schedule made them better is debatable, but there is no debate that Harlan won the district because they had a bunch of non-district wins.

Coach Donahue has traditionally played a fairly tough non-district schedule: Corbin, Knox Central, Cawood, Hazard, Breathitt County, Leslie County, Appalachia, Va., Lee, Va. etc....

This year's wasn't as tough, but I think it worked in giving his team confidence, and it definitely was a good strategic move in the way it played out with a district title and a top seed.

If a district title is your goal for a successful year then yes. And getting demolished by the first decent team you play. If you want to get to the next level, very bad strategy.