5 toughest high school basketball state titles to win

Kentucky Sweet 16
Defending champion: Christian County (Hopkinsville)
2011-12 contenders: Ballard (Louisville), Bullitt East (Mt. Washington), Rowan County (Morehead), Scott County (Georgetown), Trinity (Louisville)
The chase: When it comes to high school basketball state tournaments, it doesn't get any more old school than Kentucky's Sweet 16.

One state, one champ.

Winners of 16 regionals gather at storied Rupp Arena in Lexington, a grouping that last year featured Eastern of Louisville (enrollment 2,300) and Bardstown (enrollment 564) a year ago, providing an annual opportunity for Hoosiers-type storylines. Two years ago, tiny Shelby Valley (Pikeville) (enrollment 589) took advantage and won it all.

In the 20 years since Fairdale captured back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991, the all-comers format has helped produce 18 different state champions with only Mason County (Maysville) and Scott County winning multiple Sweet 16s. Holmes (Covington), Warren Central (Bowling Green), Scott County and Mason County have all reached back-to-back finals during the same timeframe.