[Panther1]

But what's wrong with setting goals, like making it to Louisville?

I agree with you GENERALLY. Setting long-range goals is a good thing. But NOT when the subject is likely to look PAST the short-term requirements it takes to achieve the long-term goal.

The history and tradition seems to have maybe caused these kids (and that's another problem with long-range goals -- more dangerous with IMMATURITY) to think beating the schools around here is a foregone conclusion. Thus, they don't always seem to bring their "A-game" if they don't think it's needed.

Focus on the next game, but see the big picture as well.

Fine...as long as looking at "the big picture" and "big teams" doesn't cause looking at the other games as "less important" and teams with less "prestige" as incapable of beating you.

From my view, those things seem to be happening.

That used to be Pikeville's goal every year.

The situation in Pikeville is MUCH different than in past years and will be for years to come (difference in # of "out-of-district kids" mixed in with the "in-district kids" due to political decisions). If the make-up of Pikeville High School was like it was in the late 80s, looking forward to L'ville too much probably still wouldn't keep them from getting there.

In the past, any kind of internal problem, kids getting into the wrong thing on the outside, or a lack of focus wouldn't have mattered as much -- the higher level of talent would overcome those problems. Today, there's still talent, but the gap between Pikeville's talent and the other teams they have to beat on the way to "the carpet" isn't NEARLY as wide. Any "problem" (coaching, numbers, or -- as it seemed to be last season vs. Hazard -- execution and FOCUS), can be enough to neutralize any talent/size/strength "advantage" they might have over an opponent.