3rd Region Hoops— The dead period is over and fall sports around the region are beginning to gear up for their respective seasons but like the saying goes, “Basketball Never Stops.” 3rd Region Hoops has one goal, to help make the 3rd Region one of the most well covered regions in the state of Kentucky. Hoops in Kentucky is simply INCREDIBLE & there’s reason to talk hoops year around, so let’s do it. The 3rd Region is blessed with tradition rich programs in each district, whether it be Owensboro & Apollo in the 9th District, Ohio & Muhlenberg Counties in the 10th, Breckinridge County in the 11th & Grayson County in the 12th. Those programs, traditionally as a whole could be labeled as “household names” in our region. Each Region in the state has those “household names” and those jobs/positions that could be described as a bit “harder” than others. In saying those jobs are “harder” is not to make light of ANY job in the state. Obviously coaching high school kids is hard no matter where you coach. In fact, I believe it’s harder in 2023 to be a coach than it has EVER been. A great deal of respect should be given to every coach in our region for the position alone. Let’s look at the 3rd Regions TOUGHEST JOBS on the BOYS side:

• OWENSBORO — there is not one other program in the region that brings the “juice” that Owensboro does. The Red Devil program year in & year out, faces more jealousy, criticism and scrutiny than any other program in the region. Labeled as a HOT BED for talent, the expectation year in & year out are always TOP LEVEL. Rod Drake has spent 15 seasons as the Red Devil HC & has won 4 regional titles and 1 state title yet despite being a state championship winning coach, there are Red Devil faithful who would say it’s time for a change. WHAT?!? Yes, don’t be naive., that is FACTUAL. In a conversation with Coach Drake, who was recently listed on ESPN 102.7 The Game’s weekly talk show “Live at 5” Mount Rushmore of Owensboro Basketball, Drake described the job as the “Duke or Kentucky of the 3rd Region” — the toughest job in the 3rd Region HAS TO BE Owensboro.
• MUHLENBERG COUNTY — Coal, Jesus & Muhlenberg County Basketball. The folks of Muhlenberg County BLEED Basketball. Before consolidation in 2010, notably Muhlenberg North was at the top of the region as regularly as anyone & that didn’t change once Muhlenberg North & Muhlenberg South merged. Muhlenberg County has 3 regional championships since 2010. With that success and tradition comes immense pressure to WIN. One inside the program would likely say the difficulty level to be higher since consolidation. Head Coach Aaron Morris who is entering his 2nd season as the Head Coach, Starred at North & served as an assistant to the program as well, said in an episode of the 3rd Region Hoops Podcast, that the pressure is what makes the program so great to be apart of. The Fan Base is among the most passionate you’ll find and the pride in its basketball separate the Mustang program from others. No doubt, one of the TOUGHEST JOBS IN THE REGION.
• OHIO COUNTY — Competing in the 10th District alongside Muhlenberg County, Ohio County makes the cut here as well. There’s one common theme among the programs we’ve mentioned and Ohio County; EXPECTATION! The fan base is as large as anywhere in the Region & just like the other programs mentioned in this write up, the passion runs deep. Ohio County has the ability to age a coach that few other places have. Is that a good thing? Yes & No. When the Eagles are soaring there is no better game day environment than in Hartford, but when the losses pile up, it’s a lonely island that nobody wants to be apart of. Just ask Legendary coaches Steve Sparks & Tony Hopper how tough of a job it is.
• APOLLO — The recent struggles of the program doesn’t wipe away the fact that Apollo is one of the proudest programs in the State. You walk into Eagle Arena & it smells like success. Greats like Rex Chapman, Tyler Brown & so many others have all wore the “A” across their chest. There is no better time in 3rd Region Basketball than when Apollo is clicking and relevant. Ryne Tinsley just finished up his 1st Summer league as the Head Coach and has the task of leading the Eagles back to relevance. You simply cannot have a list of the toughest jobs in the region & not name Apollo in it.

These four programs are in my opinion, THE TOUGHEST JOBS IN THE REGION. The passion these 4 fan bases and communities bring to the table, are second to none. Ohio/Muhlenberg games are MUST WATCH & when Apollo is right, Apollo/Owensboro is CANT MISS basketball.