Kentucky's Boys State Basketball: Tournament Dates Announced

when is kentucky boys state basketball tournament

The Kentucky Boys' Sweet Sixteen is the state basketball tournament for high schoolers. The 2025 tournament was held in Rupp Arena, Lexington, from March 26-29, with 16 teams competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament has been held in various locations since its inception, including Alumni Gymnasium, Louisville Gardens, Memorial Coliseum, and Freedom Hall. The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Characteristics Values
Year 2025
Dates March 26-29
Venue Rupp Arena, Lexington
No. of Teams 16
Game Format Single-elimination bracket
Game Days Wednesday, March 26 - Four first-round games
Thursday, March 27 - Four first-round games
Friday, March 28 - Quarterfinals
Saturday, March 29 - Semifinals and Championship game
Tickets Available at KHSAA.org
Live Stream NFHSnetwork.com (subscription required)
Radio List of Boys' Sweet 16 radio affiliates
Live Updates Live statistical updates provided for free by KHSAA through Stat Broadcast and Mixlr app

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The 2025 tournament will be held in Rupp Arena, Lexington

The 2025 Kentucky Boys' Sweet 16 Basketball State Tournament will be held in Rupp Arena, Lexington, from March 26 to March 29. The tournament features sixteen teams from across the state, all vying to become the high school basketball state champion. The tournament was delayed by a week to allow Rupp Arena to host the men's NCAA Tournament games.

Rupp Arena has a long history with the tournament, becoming the host venue in 1979 and remaining so to the present day. The tournament was previously held in Freedom Hall, Louisville, from 1965 to 1978, with the venue agreeing to a fourteen-year consecutive hosting deal. Before this, the tournament was held in Memorial Coliseum, on the UK campus in Lexington, from 1950 until 1957 when it moved to Freedom Hall.

The 2025 tournament will see four first-round games take place on Wednesday, March 26, followed by another four on Thursday, March 27. The quarterfinals will be held on Friday, March 28, with the semifinals and championship game taking place on Saturday, March 29. Fans can purchase tickets for the event at KHSAA.org.

Several viewing options are available for those unable to attend in person. A subscription to the NFHS Network will grant access to video coverage of every game, with monthly and annual subscription options available. Alternatively, fans can purchase HD streaming of individual games from PrepSpin.com for $14.95 per game. Audio coverage of every game will be provided for free by the KHSAA through mixlr.com/khsaa/events/, and live statistical updates will be available through Stat Broadcast.

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The tournament runs from March 26-29

The 2025 UK Healthcare Boys' Basketball Sweet 16 State Tournament will be held from March 26 to March 29 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The tournament will feature sixteen teams from across the state, all vying for the coveted championship title.

The tournament kicks off on Wednesday, March 26, with four exciting first-round games. The following day, Thursday, March 27, will see another set of four intense matchups. As the tournament progresses, the competition will only get fiercer, with the quarterfinals taking place on Friday, March 28. The stakes will be even higher on Saturday, March 29, as the remaining teams battle it out in the highly anticipated semifinals and championship game.

Fans can expect to see some of Kentucky's top basketball talents take the court during this tournament. Notable players to watch include Jonah Butler of Calloway County, Zander Carter of Ashland Blazer, Andy Johnson of Cooper, and Connor Loy of Adair County. Malachi Moreno of Great Crossing, the 2025 Kentucky Mr. Basketball award winner, will also be showcasing his exceptional skills.

For those unable to attend in person, don't worry! The tournament games will be available for viewing through various platforms. The NFHS Network offers live streaming with a subscription. Alternatively, PrepSpin.com provides HD streaming of individual games at a cost of $14.95 per game. Radio broadcasts and free audio coverage will also be available through Boys' Sweet 16 radio affiliates and mixlr.com/khsaa/events/, respectively.

So, whether you're cheering from the stands or following along remotely, get ready for an action-packed week of thrilling basketball action as Kentucky's finest young athletes compete for the title of state champion!

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The tournament was delayed by a week

The 2025 UK Healthcare Boys' Basketball Sweet 16 State Tournament was delayed by a week. The tournament, which was initially scheduled to take place from March 19 to March 23, 2025, was postponed to commence on March 26 and end on March 29, 2025. This delay was due to Rupp Arena, the venue of the tournament, hosting the men's NCAA Tournament games during the original tournament dates.

The tournament's delay resulted in a change to the schedule, with four first-round games set for Wednesday, March 26, and another four on Thursday, March 27. The quarterfinals were held on Friday, March 28, followed by the semifinals and championship game on Saturday, March 29. The tournament venue, Rupp Arena, has a rich history in hosting the boys' and girls' tournaments, except in 1994 when it was held at Freedom Hall.

The 2025 tournament featured 16 teams vying for the state championship. Notably, only three schools from the previous year's Sweet 16 returned to compete again: Great Crossing, Adair County, and Ashland Blazer. Several of Kentucky's top senior players participated, including five finalists for the 2025 Kentucky Mr. Basketball award. The delay in the tournament allowed these players an extra week to prepare and strategize for their matches.

The delay also provided an opportunity for fans and spectators to purchase tickets for the event through KHSAA.org. Additionally, the NFHS Network offered subscription plans for those who wanted to watch the games remotely. The monthly pass was priced at $11.99, while the annual subscription was $79.99. For those who preferred pay-per-view, PrepSpin.com offered HD streaming of individual games at $14.95 per game.

The 2025 UK Healthcare Boys' Basketball Sweet 16 State Tournament's one-week delay was a unique occurrence, allowing Rupp Arena to accommodate the men's NCAA Tournament games. This change in schedule did not hinder the enthusiasm and participation of the competing teams, fans, and spectators, who all looked forward to the exciting matches ahead.

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Fans can watch via a subscription to the NFHS Network

The 2025 UK Healthcare Boys' Basketball Sweet 16 State Tournament is taking place in Rupp Arena, Lexington, from March 26-29. Fans can watch via a subscription to the NFHS Network, which offers live video coverage of every game. The NFHS Network currently has two subscription options: a monthly pass for $11.99 that will auto-renew but can be canceled anytime, and a $79.99 annual subscription that will auto-renew until canceled. A subscription grants access to games aired by the NFHS Network across different states.

For those who don't want to commit to a subscription, there are other options to follow the tournament. PrepSpin.com offers HD streaming of individual games at a cost of $14.95 per game on its streaming website and its app, available on most major app stores. The KHSAA also provides free audio coverage of every game through mixlr.com/khsaa/events/. The Mixlr app is available on most app stores. Additionally, fans can follow the tournament through live updates, highlights, and analysis from courtside by Herald-Leader sports writer Jared Peck (@HLpreps) and freelancer Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL).

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The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Kentucky Boys' Sweet Sixteen State Basketball Tournament is an eagerly anticipated annual event. However, the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of the players and spectators were prioritised, and the decision was made to cancel the tournament to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The tournament is a highlight of the basketball calendar, with sixteen teams vying for the championship title. It is a single-elimination bracket format, with four first-round games, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship game. The tournament is usually held in March, and in 2020, it would have been no different, with teams and fans eagerly awaiting the event.

The cancellation of the 2020 tournament was a significant disappointment for all involved. The tournament has a long history, dating back to 1923, and it has been hosted in various venues across Kentucky, including Alumni Gymnasium, Louisville Gardens, Memorial Coliseum, and Freedom Hall. In more recent years, it has found a home in Rupp Arena, Lexington, which has hosted the tournament since 1979.

The 2020 cancellation was an unprecedented event in the tournament's history. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted sporting events worldwide, and the Boys' Sweet Sixteen tournament was no exception. The decision was made to protect the health and well-being of all participants and spectators, and alternative competitions or arrangements were not feasible at the time.

The cancellation of the 2020 Kentucky Boys' State Basketball Tournament served as a reminder of the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching impact on sports and communities. It also highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity, with organisers and participants having to adjust to the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Frequently asked questions

The 2025 tournament took place from March 26-29.

The tournament is held in Rupp Arena, Lexington.

16 teams participate in the tournament.

The tournament can be watched live on NFHSnetwork.com with a subscription.

No, the tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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