When the Todd County Central Rebels take to the court next Thursday at McBrayer Arena in Richmond, it will mark just the fourth time the Rebels have played in the statewide tournament for smaller schools. The previous appearances came in 1999, 2000, and 2004.
So, making the trip is history in itself, but the Rebels will have their sights set on making more history when they arrive at EKU. That history being winning a game in the All A Classic state tournament. In all three previous appearances, the Rebels have been knocked out of the tournament in the first round of play.
In 1999, the Rebels lost a heartbreaker in their first-ever All A state tournament game. Todd Central was knocked out in the opening round by Covington Holy Cross 40-39. That team would end up the year 18-9, losing in the semifinals of the 4th Region tournament in overtime to Barren County.
The Rebels returned to the All A state the following season in 2020 and were again sent home early. This time Newport Central Catholic dispatched the Rebels 73-56. The Rebels that season would finish the year at 13-13, losing to Franklin-Simpson in the 13th District tournament.
Todd Central waited four years for another trip to the big event. In 2004, the Rebels were matched up against Hazard in the opening round. That Rebels team, led by Calvin Head, Keith Pollard, Shane McIntosh, Matt Cox, and Lamar Warfield, got off to a slow start, falling behind 24-10 after the first quarter and could not dig out of the early hole, falling 62-45.
By the way, that Hazard team went on to win the All A state championship that season, defeating Bishop Brossart in the final.
That season, the Rebels would go on to finish 17-8, but were upset in the opening round of the 13th District tournament by Franklin-Simpson.
Since then, it has taken Todd Central 18 years to make a return trip. That drought will officially end next Thursday when the Rebels tip-off against West Carter in the opening round of the 2022 All A Classic.
