Andrew Pace
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) has been serving Kentucky's schools and student-athletes since 1917. The KHSAA Boys' and Girls' State Basketball Tournaments are a staple of the Kentucky high school sports calendar, although both tournaments were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, Newport defeated Evangel Christian in the All 'A' championship, with Newport's DeShaun Jackson being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Tournament Name | UK Healthcare/KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen® State Basketball Tournament |
| Dates | Week of February 24-March 1 |
| Venue | Rupp Arena, Lexington |
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What You'll Learn
Newport defeats Evangel Christian in the 2024 All 'A' championship
Newport defeated Evangel Christian 69-62 in the 2024 All "A" state championship, marking the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Newport Wildcats were led by DeShaun Jackson, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Taylen Kinney, who scored nine of his 18 points in overtime. James Turner also had a strong performance, scoring 11 of the team's 13 points in the second quarter and finishing the game with 16 points and 20 rebounds. For the Evangel Eagles, senior Kyran Tilley led all scorers with 28 points, including six three-pointers. The game was defined by scoring droughts and spurts, with Evangel scoring the first five points before Newport came back with 10 straight. The win was a significant achievement for Newport, showcasing the progress the team had made and boosting their confidence going into future tournaments.
The Newport Wildcats had faced challenges earlier in the season, losing close games to top-ranked teams Great Crossing and Trinity at the King of the Bluegrass tournament. However, their perseverance paid off as they defeated Lyon County and Evangel Christian by a narrow margin of nine combined points. Newport's victory in the All "A" state championship was a testament to their hard work and determination, with head coach Rod Snapp expressing his pride in the team's accomplishments.
The Evangel Christian Eagles, on the other hand, entered the championship game with high expectations as they had reached the small-school state championship for the second consecutive year. Despite falling short in the All "A" Classic final, the Eagles demonstrated their resilience and strong offensive capabilities throughout the tournament. Head coach Larry Miller applauded his team's effort and acknowledged the outstanding performance of their opponents.
The 2024 All "A" state championship was a closely contested game that showcased the talent and dedication of both teams. Newport's victory marked a significant milestone in their season, while Evangel Christian's performance reaffirmed their position as a formidable opponent. The tournament provided valuable experience for both schools as they continued to pursue basketball excellence in Kentucky.
The Newport Wildcats' triumph in the 2024 All "A" state championship was a memorable moment for the team and their supporters. Their success in overcoming challenges and defeating a strong opponent like Evangel Christian served as a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and determination. This victory not only brought pride to their school but also set a foundation for future success in the larger tournaments to come.
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Holy Cross wins the girls' All 'A' tournament
Holy Cross girls' basketball team fought hard to win the All "A" Classic state championship game in 2023. This was the second time the team had won the tournament, the first being in 2015. The game was held at Eastern Kentucky University, where the Holy Cross team faced off against Bardstown Bethlehem, winning with a score of 65-61.
The game was an emotional one for Holy Cross coach Ted Arlinghaus, who teared up as his players posed for photos with the championship trophy. Arlinghaus shared that his mother had passed away 24 years prior, on the same day that he was playing in the same tournament. He expressed his joy and gratitude for being able to create new, happier memories.
The victory was a hard-fought one, with Holy Cross forward Julia Hunt scoring 21 points, pulling in 19 rebounds, and blocking eight shots. Her outstanding performance earned her the title of Most Valuable Player on the state all-tournament team. Hunt's skills allowed for strategic gameplay, as her teammate, Nejai Lewis, noted. Lewis, a senior forward, also delivered a stellar performance, scoring a season-high 20 points and securing 11 rebounds.
The 2023 victory marked the second time that Holy Cross had claimed the All "A" Classic Girls State Basketball Tournament title, with their first win in 2015. The 2015 team went on to achieve further success, winning the "Sweet 16" post-season state tournament.
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The 2018 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet 16
The road to the championship game was filled with excitement and impressive performances. McCracken County, for instance, reached the Sweet Sixteen for only the second time in their program's history, which is a remarkable feat for a team in just its fifth season. Southwestern also made waves by securing a spot in the state tournament for the first time since 2012, thanks to a game-winning layup by Logan Dykes in the final seconds against Mercer County.
Estill County wrote their own piece of history by claiming their first-ever region title, dating back to the 1940-41 season. Pikeville's Wyatt Battaile led his team to their second straight appearance at the state level with a game-high 23 points. Boyd County celebrated their 11th region title, a first since 2000, while Apollo reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since their inaugural campaign in the 2013-14 season.
The Sweet Sixteen tournament is a highly competitive and prestigious event in the world of high school basketball, and the 2018 edition lived up to its reputation. The teams showcased their talent and determination, with thrilling games and memorable moments that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The tournament not only highlighted the skills of the players but also fostered sportsmanship and camaraderie among the participating schools.
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KHSAA Boys' and Girls' State Basketball Tournaments in 2013
The 2013 KHSAA Boys and Girls State Basketball Tournaments were highly anticipated events, with the pairings unveiled on January 25, 2013. The road to the championship began with the release of the first basketball stats and the KHSAA Competitive Cheer Championships on January 7, 2013, when Heflin was named the NFHS National Coach of the Year.
The tournament schedule was packed with exciting matchups, with the Sweet 16 Draw Show, the unveiling of the new Sweet 16 logo, and the Competitive Cheer Championships all taking place in the weeks leading up to the main event. The anticipation continued to build as the times for the Boys' Sweet 16 Semifinals and Championship were announced on January 10, 2013.
The Houchens Industries/KHSAA Girls' Sweet Sixteen® took center stage on March 11, 2013, marking a pivotal moment in the tournament. This was followed by the KHSAA Bass Fishing Championship on April 22, 2013, where top officials were honored, and the Baseball-Softball Draw Show took place the next day.
The tournament concluded with the Boys' and Girls' State Basketball Tournaments, with the winners being crowned champions of their respective divisions. The 2013 tournament was a memorable event, with the KHSAA Sweet 16® Finals being moved to Sunday, per the Board of Control's decision on April 15, 2013.
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The 2020 boys' and girls' tournaments were cancelled due to COVID-19
The 2020 boys' and girls' Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSSA) basketball tournaments were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournaments were scheduled to take place in March 2020, with the girls' tournament running from March 11-15 and the boys' tournament from March 18-22. Both tournaments were to be held at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
The cancellation of the 2020 KHSSA basketball tournaments was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges and disruptions to the world of sports, and the KHSSA prioritised the well-being of all involved.
The KHSSA basketball tournaments are a longstanding tradition in Kentucky, with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. The tournaments have been held annually, bringing together the best high school basketball teams and players from across the state. The cancellation of the 2020 tournaments marked a rare interruption to this tradition, one that is typically a highlight of the athletic calendar for many Kentucky students.
The 2020 KHSSA basketball tournaments were set to feature 16 boys' and 16 girls' region tournaments, with teams vying for the state championship title. The cancellation meant that the usual excitement, competition, and school pride associated with the tournaments were put on hold.
While the 2020 tournaments were unable to take place, the KHSSA remained committed to providing opportunities for student-athletes to excel and compete. The association continued to navigate the challenges presented by the pandemic, working towards a safe return to sports and the resumption of tournaments and championships in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Newport defeated Evangel Christian to win the 2024 Kentucky High School Basketball All 'A' championship.
Newport's DeShaun Jackson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
No, both the boys' and girls' tournaments were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
