With March Madness right around the corner, this time of year brings up a lot of memories for basketball fans around the state.
One team that comes to mind is the dominant Paintsville Tigers in the late 90s. This team was stacked from top to bottom, with a front court of Craig Ratliff, JR VanHoose, and Josh McKenzie; the Tigers were an impossible team to stop down low. On top of that, they were led by two elite guards, Todd Tackett and Matt Ratliff. This starting five was a force to be reckoned with and brought a Region and State Title home to Paintsville, Kentucky.
The year prior to their 1996 state championship, the Tigers fell short with an overtime loss in the Sweet 16 against opponent Montgomery County. This experience is what helped Paintsville dominate the region and the state tournament the following year.
Mountain Top Sports recently teamed up with the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall posted a great story about the Tigers and their run to a state championship:
“(In 1996) Paintsville won the regional title and another shot at statewide recognition. This time it would be different. The only similarity this year was an OT in the first game, this time vs. Owensboro. Paintsville came out on top in that one 80-78.
Another close one in the second game for the Tigers as they scrapped and scraped by Allen County-Scottsville and its All-Stater Warren Cunningham 78-76 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals it got a bit easier on these tall and talented Tigers, easing by Lexington Catholic 79-55.
Now it would be for all the marbles – Paintsville against Ashland, who was also loaded with talent: Tony Barrow, Chris Lynch, Kyle Umberger and Tate Tolbert. The Tomcats came into the championship game 27-7. Paintsville entered at 25-10.
Craig Ratliff had a score to settle in this contest. –with himself. He wasn’t satisfied with his 17 points vs. Lexington Catholic because of his 5-16 shooting from the field. He also was bothered by his six turnovers in that game. So, he set about making it right with himself and scored 30 points in the championship game, going 11 for 15 from the floor, blocking two shots and had only one turnover. That plus a great game from Josh McKenzie, and the whole crew brought the crown to Paintsville. Final score Paintsville 71-Ashland 53. Ratliff, VanHoose and Tackett were named to the All-Tournament team with VanHoose winning the MVP award. Ratliff later along with VanHoose was selected to the All-State 2nd Team.
Ratliff entered the Sweet Sixteen averaging 18 points and 7.8 rebounds. He was recruited by Maryland, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, and others.
Ratliff, although the basketball star with good size, opted to play the sport he loved most after high school and signed to pitch in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He had done it well at Paintsville under the tutelage of Charlie Adkins. He also had signed to play basketball at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
After a few years, he signed to play basketball at Pikeville College (now the University of Pikeville).
He currently teaches and is a coach at (Are you ready?) Ashland. Does the word “ironic” fit here?”
This team is still talked about today being one of the best to ever come out of eastern Kentucky.
Former Paintsville Tiger, state tournament MVP, and now Johnson Central assistant coach, JR VanHoose looks to use his playoff experience to help lead the Golden Eagles to a state title of their own, they are set to play George Rogers Clark in the first round of the Sweet 16 this Thursday, March 19 @ 8:30pm.
