The Allen County-Scottsville High School athletic program will recognize and remember three outstanding Region 4 championship teams at their annual Night of Champions. The 1976 Region 4 Girls Basketball Champions, the 1996 Region 4 Boys Basketball Champions, and the 2001 Region 4 Girls Basketball Champions will be the special guests at the Night of Champions on Saturday, February 7 at Patriot Gym.
The 1976 Lady Patriots captured AC-S’s first regional title in girls’ basketball. Under the leadership of coach Sandra Williams, the 1976 team built upon a successful first season of girls’ ball. The 1975 team of Lady Patriots posted a remarkable 15-2 record to lay the foundation for what has become a “tradition of excellence.” The 1976 team took the program to unprecedented heights.
First, AC-S’s squad completed a perfect regular season---going 19-0. After a win in the first game of the District 15 tournament, the Lady Patriots lost in the District championship game to Barren County. Less than a week later, AC-S avenged the loss to Barren County in the Region 4 championship tilt. The Lady Patriots carried a sparkling 23-1 record to the state tournament. Despite an open round loss, the season was celebrated as another building block for the rising program. The team’s 23-2 record remains the best one-season record percentage wise in the 52-year history of the program.
The 1996 Patriot basketball team was a senior-driven powerhouse. Under the guidance of coach J.D. Strange, AC-S began their season with 20 consecutive wins. Despite regular season losses to Franklin-Simpson, and Greenwood, the Patriots entered post-season play among the favorites in the region. Despite a loss to Barren County in the District finals, AC-S downed Monroe County, Franklin-Simpson, and Barren County to capture the Region 4 championship for the first time since 1981.
The success did not stop there. In the opening game at the state tournament, AC-S defeated Harrison County to move into the state quarterfinals---the deepest run a boys’ team from Allen County had been since 1970. Facing Paintsville, the Patriots played solid before falling behind late in the fourth. However, senior Warren Cunningham’s sensational fourth quarter led a charge that led to a 76-76 tie in the final seconds. Unfortunately, a late run out and lay-up gave Paintsville the win. The Tigers would win the state title a day later. AC-S closed with a 29-5 record.
The 2001 Lady Patriot team capped off a remarkable three-year Region 4 championship run. After claiming a District title, AC-S posted regional wins over Monroe County, Todd County Central, and Greenwood in the regional tournament at Patriot Gym. At the time, AC-S’s three-peat marked the first time a school went back-to-back-to-back to capture regional championships.
After the program’s seventh regional title, AC-S defeated Johnson Central in the first round of the state tournament. The win marked the first time in 22 seasons a Lady Patriot team had reached the state quarterfinals. A loss to Louisville Manuel ended the Lady Patriots’ year with a shining 26-7 record.
Players, cheerleaders, managers, and coaches who were part of these outstanding teams are invited to the event. . The recognition will be between the girls’ and boys’ games. AC-S will host Barren County with the girls’ game having a 6 p.m. tip time.