Sweet Sixteen (KHSAA State Basketball Championship)

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The Kentucky High School Athletic Association boys' and girls' state basketball championships are single elimination tournaments held each March featuring 16 high schools. Colloquially known as the Sweet Sixteen (the KHSAA holds a trademark on the phrase). Since 2019, both the boys' and girls' tournaments takes place over four days at downtown Lexington's Rupp Arena.

The Kentucky High School Boys' Basketball State Tournament began in 1918. For fourteen years there were 18 regions that encompassed the tournament. Since 1932 there have only been 16 regions thus the term "Sweet Sixteen" was coined. Kentucky is one of only two states (Delaware is the other) that still play a state tournament without a class system that divides large and small schools into separate tournaments.[1]

The first six tournaments were held at the University of Kentucky gymnasium in Lexington. After 1923 the tournament continued in Lexington but moved to the new Alumni Gymnasium on UK's campus which had become the new venue for the university's basketball teams, where it stayed from 1924 until 1944. In 1945 the tournament moved to the Louisville Gardens until 1950, when it moved back to Lexington and took up residence at Memorial Coliseum, again on the UK campus. Once construction was complete on Freedom Hall in Louisville, the 1957 tournament was held there and returned in odd-numbered years.

In 1965, Freedom Hall agreed to host the tournament for fourteen consecutive years until 1978. The opening of Rupp Arena in 1979 led to the tournament's return to Lexington, where it remains to the present day. However, Freedom Hall has hosted the tournament six times since then, the most recent being in 1994.

Both the boys' and girls' tournaments were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

In 2026 George Rogers Clark became the first school in the modern era to claim both the boys and girls State Championship in the same season.

Notable participants

2026 Tournament Results

2026 UK Healthcare/KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen® State Basketball Tournament

March 18-21, 2026 — Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)

-:Note: First round seeds indicate ordinal position by region, match-ups are determined by random draw.

First round
March 18-19 		Quarterfinals
March 20 		Semifinals
March 21 		State Championship
March 21
            
9 Covington Catholic 61
7 Saint Xavier 75
Saint Xavier 46
North Laurel 44
4 Warren Central 38
13 North Laurel 52
Saint Xavier 67
March 18
Grayson County 37
5 Taylor County 64
3 Grayson County 73
Grayson County 58
Great Crossing 50
12 Danville Christian 47
11 Great Crossing 57
Saint Xavier 50
George Rogers Clark 58 ot
6 Butler 54
14 Hazard 39
Butler 56
North Oldham 62
8 North Oldham 74
2 Lyon County 61
North Oldham 45
March 19
George Rogers Clark 53
10 George Rogers Clark 75
15 Johnson Central 60
George Rogers Clark 63
Marshall County 59
16 Boyd County 64
1 Marshall County 68

2026 Clarks Pump N Shop/KHSAA Girls' Sweet Sixteen® State Basketball Tournament

March 11-14, 2026 — Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)

-:Note: First round seeds indicate ordinal position by region, match-ups are determined by random draw.

First round
March 11-12 		Quarterfinals
March 13 		Semifinals
March 14 		State Championship
March 14
            
2 Henderson County 23
11 Frederick Douglass 44
Frederick Douglass 30
Assumption 32
1 Calloway County 35
7 Assumption 72
Assumption 48
March 11
Taylor County 29
15 Pikeville 38
9 Notre Dame 77
Notre Dame 36
Taylor County 44
12 West Jessamine 58
5 Taylor County 60
Assumption 43
George Rogers Clark 48
8 Simon Kenton 70
16 Ashland Blazer 61
Simon Kenton 63
Owensboro Catholic 50
14 Letcher County Central 35
3 Owensboro Catholic 59
Simon Kenton 40
March 12
George Rogers Clark 66
4 Franklin-Simpson 66
6 Bullitt East 47
Franklin-Simpson 34
George Rogers Clark 69
13 North Laurel 46
10 George Rogers Clark 55

Boys' Basketball State Championship

Tournament results, by year

KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen State Champions (by year)
Year Champion Score Runner-up Venue Most Valuable Player
1917 Owensboro 12–9 Somerset Centre College, Danville
1918 Lexington[3] 16–15 Somerset Centre College, Danville
1919 Lexington 21–17 Somerset UK Gymnasium, Lexington
1920 Lexington 56–13 Ashland[4] UK Gymnasium, Lexington
1921 DuPont Manual 32–17 Union Academy[5] UK Gymnasium, Lexington
1922 Lexington[3] 52–27 Frankfort UK Gymnasium, Lexington
1923 DuPont Manual 41–17 Clark County[6] UK Gymnasium, Lexington
1924 Lexington[3] 15–10 Fort Thomas[7] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1925 DuPont Manual 40–11 Winchester[8] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1926 St. Xavier 26–13 Danville Alumni Gym, Lexington
1927 Millersburg[9] 34–25 London[10] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1928 Ashland[4] 13–11 (4OT) Carr Creek[11] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1929 Heath[12] 21–16 Corinth[13] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1930 Corinth[13] 22–20 Kavanaugh[14] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1931 DuPont Manual 34–23 Tolu[15] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1932 Hazard 15–13 Male Alumni Gym, Lexington
1933 Ashland[4] 33–25 Horse Cave[16] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1934 Ashland[4] 26–13 Danville Alumni Gym, Lexington
1935 St. Xavier 32–18 Newport Alumni Gym, Lexington
1936 Corbin 24–18 Nebo[17] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1937 Midway[18] 30–22 Inez[19] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1938 Sharpe[20] 36–27 Maysville[21] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1939 Brooksville[22] 42–39 Hindman[23] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1940 Hazel Green[24] 35–29 Ashland[4] Alumni Gym, Lexington
1941 Inez[19] 35–27 St. Xavier Alumni Gym, Lexington
1942 Lafayette 44–32 Harlan[25] Armory, Louisville
1943 Hindman[23] 29–26 St. Xavier Alumni Gym, Lexington
1944 Harlan[25] 40–28 Dayton Alumni Gym, Lexington
1945 Male 54–42 Central City[26] Armory, Louisville
1946 Breckenridge Training[5] 68–36 Dawson Springs Armory, Louisville
1947 Maysville[21] 54–50 Brewers[27] Armory, Louisville
1948 Brewers[27] 65–48 Maysville[21] Armory, Louisville
1949 Owensboro 65–47 Lafayette Armory, Louisville
1950 Lafayette 55–51 Clark County[6] Armory, Louisville
1951 Clark County[6] 69–44 Cuba[28] Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1952 Cuba[28] 58–52 DuPont Manual Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1953 Lafayette 84–53 Paducah Tilghman[29] Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1954 Inez[19] 63–55 Newport Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1955 Hazard 74–66 Adair County Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1956 Carr Creek[11] 72–68 Henderson[30] Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1957 Lafayette 55–52 Eastern Freedom Hall, Louisville
1958 St. Xavier 60–49 Daviess County Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1959 North Marshall[31] 64–63 DuPont Manual Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1960 Flaget[32] 65–56 Monticello Freedom Hall, Louisville
1961 Ashland[4] 69–50 Lexington Dunbar[33] Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1962 St. Xavier 62–58 Ashland[4] Freedom Hall, Louisville
1963 Seneca 72–66 Lexington Dunbar[33] Freedom Hall, Louisville
1964 Seneca 66–56 Breckinridge County Memorial Coliseum, Lexington
1965 Breckinridge County 95–73 Covington Holy Cross Freedom Hall, Louisville
1966 Shelby County[34] 62–57 Male Freedom Hall, Louisville
1967 Earlington[35] 54–53 Covington Catholic Freedom Hall, Louisville
1968 Glasgow 77–68 Seneca Freedom Hall, Louisville
1969 Central 101–72 Ohio County Freedom Hall, Louisville
1970 Male 70–69 Richmond Madison[36] Freedom Hall, Louisville
1971 Male 83–66 Anderson County Freedom Hall, Louisville
1972 Owensboro 71–63 Elizabethtown Freedom Hall, Louisville
1973 Shawnee 81–68 Male Freedom Hall, Louisville
1974 Central 59–54 Male Freedom Hall, Louisville
1975 Male 74–59 Henry Clay Freedom Hall, Louisville
1976 Edmonson County 74–52 Christian County Freedom Hall, Louisville
1977 Ballard 68–59 Valley Freedom Hall, Louisville
1978 Shelby County 68–66 (OT) Covington Holmes Freedom Hall, Louisville
1979 Lafayette 62–52 Christian County Rupp Arena, Lexington
1980 Owensboro 57–56 Doss Freedom Hall, Louisville
1981 Simon Kenton 70–63 Mason County Rupp Arena, Lexington Troy McKinley (Simon Kenton)
1982 Laurel County[37] 53–51 North Hardin Rupp Arena, Lexington Todd May (Virgie)[38]
1983 Henry Clay 35–33 (3OT) Carlisle County Rupp Arena, Lexington Steve Miller (Henry Clay)
1984 Logan County 83–70 Bourbon County Rupp Arena, Lexington Fred Tisdale (Logan County)
1985 Hopkinsville 65–64 Clay County Rupp Arena, Lexington Wendall Quarles (Hopkinsville)
1986 Pulaski County[39] 47–45 Pleasure Ridge Park Rupp Arena, Lexington Reggie Hanson (Pulaski County)
1987 Clay County 76–73 (OT) Ballard Rupp Arena, Lexington Richie Farmer (Clay County)
1988 Ballard 88–79 Clay County Freedom Hall, Louisville Richie Farmer (Clay County)
1989 Pleasure Ridge Park 75–73 Wayne County Rupp Arena, Lexington Andy Penick (Pleasure Ridge Park)
1990 Fairdale 77–73 Covington Holmes Freedom Hall, Louisville Jermaine Brown (Fairdale)
1991 Fairdale 67–63 Tates Creek Rupp Arena, Lexington Jermaine Brown (Fairdale)
1992 University Heights 59–57 Lexington Catholic Freedom Hall, Louisville Darren Allaway (University Heights)
1993 Marion County 85–77 Paul Laurence Dunbar Rupp Arena, Lexington Anthony Epps (Marion County)
1994 Fairdale 59–56 Paul Laurence Dunbar Freedom Hall, Louisville Rashawn Morris (Fairdale)
1995 Breckinridge County 70–63 Pleasure Ridge Park Rupp Arena, Lexington Patrick Critchelow (Breckinridge County)
1996 Paintsville 71–53 Ashland Blazer Rupp Arena, Lexington J.R. VanHoose (Paintsville)
1997 Eastern 71–59 Fort Thomas Highlands Rupp Arena, Lexington Trent Coward (Eastern)
1998 Scott County 89–78 Paintsville Rupp Arena, Lexington Rick Jones (Scott County)
1999 Ballard 71–47 Scott County Rupp Arena, Lexington Will Partin (Ballard)
2000 Elizabethtown 79–69 Lexington Catholic Rupp Arena, Lexington Antwain Barbour (Elizabethtown)
2001 Lafayette 54–49 Male Rupp Arena, Lexington Robert A Madison (Lafayette)
2002 Lexington Catholic 83–53 Paducah Tilghman[29] Rupp Arena, Lexington DeMetrius Green (Lexington Catholic)
2003 Mason County 86–65 Ballard Rupp Arena, Lexington Chris Lofton (Mason County)
2004 Warren Central 66–56 Mason County Rupp Arena, Lexington Brock Whitney (Warren Central)
2005 South Laurel 70–59 Warren Central Rupp Arena, Lexington Walt Allen (South Laurel)
2006 Jeffersontown 61–48 Apollo Rupp Arena, Lexington Ceedrick Ware (Jeffersontown)
2007 Scott County[40] 56–50 Ballard Rupp Arena, Lexington Bud Mackey (Scott County)
2008 Mason County 57–48 Covington Holmes Rupp Arena, Lexington Darius Miller (Mason County)
2009 Covington Holmes 67–63 (2OT) Louisville Central Rupp Arena, Lexington Ricardo Johnson (Holmes)
2010 Shelby Valley 73–61 Ballard Rupp Arena, Lexington Elisha Justice (Shelby Valley)
2011 Christian County 65–63 (2OT) Rowan County Rupp Arena, Lexington Anthony Hickey (Christian County)
2012 Trinity 71–53 Scott County[40] Rupp Arena, Lexington Nathan Dieudonne (Trinity)
2013 Madison Central 65–64 Ballard Rupp Arena, Lexington Dominique Hawkins (Madison Central)
2014 Covington Catholic 59–51 (OT) Scott County[40] Rupp Arena, Lexington Nick Ruthsatz (Covington Catholic)
2015 Owensboro 74–58 Bowling Green Rupp Arena, Lexington Justin Miller (Owensboro)
2016 Paul Laurence Dunbar 61–52 Doss Rupp Arena, Lexington Tavieon Hollingsworth (PLD)
2017 Bowling Green 67–56 Cooper Rupp Arena, Lexington Terry Taylor (Bowling Green)
2018 Covington Catholic 73–55 Scott County[40] Rupp Arena, Lexington CJ Fredrick (Covington Catholic)
2019 Trinity 50–40 Scott County[40] Rupp Arena, Lexington David Johnson (Trinity)
2020 Canceled
2021 Highlands 79–60 Elizabethtown Rupp Arena, Lexington Sam Vinson (Highlands)
2022 George Rogers Clark 43–42 Warren Central Rupp Arena, Lexington Jerome Morton (GRC)
2023 Warren Central 64–60 George Rogers Clark Rupp Arena, Lexington Chappelle Whitney (Warren Central)
2024 Lyon County 67–58 Harlan County Rupp Arena, Lexington Travis Perry (Lyon County)
2025 Great Crossing 71–61 Bowling Green Rupp Arena, Lexington Malachi Moreno (Great Crossing)
2026 George Rogers Clark 58-50 (ot) Saint Xavier Rupp Arena, Lexington Malachi Ashford (GRC)

Championships, by school

KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen State Championships (by school)
SchoolTitlesYears
Lafayette61942, 1950, 1953, 1957, 1979, 2001
Henry Clay61918, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1983
Owensboro51917, 1949, 1972, 1980, 2015
Louisville Male41945, 1970, 1971, 1975
St. Xavier41926, 1935, 1958, 1962
Paul G. Blazer (Ashland)41928, 1933, 1934, 1961
DuPont Manual41921, 1923, 1925, 1931
Ballard31977, 1988, 1999
Fairdale31990, 1991, 1994
George Rogers Clark22022, 2026
Warren Central22004, 2023
Trinity22012, 2019
Covington Catholic22014, 2018
Mason County22003, 2008
Scott County21998, 2007
Breckinridge County21965, 1995
Shelby County21966, 1978
Central21969, 1974
Seneca MCA21963, 1964
Hazard21932, 1955
Inez21941, 1954
Lyon County12024
Highlands12021
Bowling Green12017
Paul Laurence Dunbar12016
Madison Central12013
Christian County12011
Shelby Valley12010
Holmes12009
Jeffersontown12006
South Laurel12005
Lexington Catholic12002
Elizabethtown12000
Eastern11997
Paintsville11996
Marion County11993
University Heights11992
Pleasure Ridge Park11989
Clay County11987
Pulaski County11986
Hopkinsville11985
Logan County11984
Laurel County11982
Simon Kenton11981
Edmonson County11976
Shawnee11973
Glasgow11968
Earlington11967
Flaget11960
North Marshall11959
Carr Creek11956
Cuba11952
Clark County High School11951
Brewers11948
Maysville11947
Breckinridge Training11946
Harlan11944
Hindman11943
Hazel Green11940
Brooksville11939
Sharpe11938
Midway11937
Corbin11936
Corinth11930
Heath11929
Millersburg Military Institute11927

KHSAA Girls' Sweet Sixteen State Champions

Year Champion Score Runner-up Venue Most Valuable Player
1975 Louisville Butler 60–43 Barren County McBrayer Arena, Richmond
1976 Louisville Sacred Heart 68–55 Louisville Butler McBrayer Arena, Richmond
1977 Laurel County[37] 48–46 Paris McBrayer Arena, Richmond
1978 Laurel County[37] 63–48 Breathitt County McBrayer Arena, Richmond
1979 Laurel County[37] 43–36 Lexington Lafayette McBrayer Arena, Richmond
1980 Louisville Butler 65–49 Franklin County[41] McBrayer Arena, Richmond
1981 Pulaski County[39] 50–42 Marshall County McBrayer Arena, Richmond Lori Hines (Pulaski County)
1982 Marshall County 48–44 Louisville Mercy McBrayer Arena, Richmond Maria Poschinger (Mercy)
1983 Warren Central 57–49 Whitesburg [42] McBrayer Arena, Richmond Clemette Haskins (Warren Central)
1984 Marshall County 55–53 Belfry McBrayer Arena, Richmond Carol Parker (Marshall County)
1985 Whitley County 38–37 Louisville Atherton Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Anette Jones (Atherton)
1986 Oldham County[43] 49–48 Franklin-Simpson Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Nancy Cruthcher (Oldham County)
1987 Laurel County[37] 50–48 Louisville Doss Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Joretta Carney (Laurel County)
1988 Louisville Southern 57–34 Oldham County[43] Civic Center, Frankfort Lisa Harrison (Southern)
1989 Clay County 48–44 George Rogers Clark Civic Center, Frankfort Kim Jones (Clay County)
1990 Lexington Henry Clay 62–50 Louisville Southern Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Demetria Bright (Henry Clay)
1991 Laurel County[37] 33–31 George Rogers Clark Civic Center, Frankfort Stacey Reed (Laurel County)
1992 Louisville Mercy 44–38 Clay County McBrayer Arena, Richmond Christina Jansen (Mercy)
1993 Nicholas County 48–46 Warren East Civic Center, Frankfort Kim Denkins (Nicholas County)
1994 M.C. Napier[44] 88–56 Fort Thomas Highlands Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Kristie Combs (M.C. Napier)
1995 Scott County 68–45 Pulaski County[45] Civic Center, Frankfort Ukari Figgs (Scott County)
1996 Union County 44–37 Central Hardin Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Rachel Byers (Union County)
1997 Hazard 54–38 Elizabethtown Civic Center, Frankfort Charlotte Sizemore (Hazard)
1998 Elizabethtown 45–37 Montgomery County McBrayer Arena, Richmond Falesha Robertson (Elizabethtown)
1999 Lexington Catholic 57–42 Louisville Assumption Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Kelly Stamper (Lexington Catholic)
2000 West Carter 58–50 Shelby County[34] McBrayer Arena, Richmond Kandi Brown (West Carter)
2001 Lexington Catholic 36–34 Louisville Manual Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Chelsea Crowning (Lexington Catholic)
2002 Louisville Sacred Heart 57–46 Jackson County Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Carly Ormerod (Sacred Heart)
2003 Louisville Sacred Heart 42–40 Lexington Catholic Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Crystal Kelly (Sacred Heart)
2004 Louisville Sacred Heart 43–34 Lexington Catholic Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Carly Ormerod (Sacred Heart)
2005 Lexington Catholic 59–54 Clinton County Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Anaris Sickles (Lexington Catholic)
2006 Lexington Catholic 69–52 Rose Hill Christian Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Keyla Snowden (Lexington Catholic)
2007 Lexington Christian 71–62 Louisville Iroquois Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Emily London (Lexington Christian)
2008 Louisville Butler 58–57 Franklin-Simpson Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Tia Gibbs (Butler)
2009 Louisville Iroquois 55–47 Elizabethtown Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Adia Mathies (Iroquois)
2010 Louisville Mercy 71–61 Scott County Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Ellen Scholtes (Mercy)
2011 Rockcastle County 62–60 Louisville Manual Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Sara Hammond (Rockcastle County)
2012 Louisville Manual 58–54 Marion County Diddle Arena, Bowling Green April Wilson (Manual)
2013 Marion County 52–36 Notre Dame Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Makayla Epps (Marion County)
2014 Louisville Butler 49–38 Elizabethtown Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Danielle Lawrence (Butler)
2015 Covington Holy Cross 35–32 Allen County-Scottsville Diddle Arena, Bowling Green Deja Turner (Holy Cross)
2016 Louisville Butler 62–36 Franklin County BB&T Arena, Highland Heights Jaelynn Penn (Butler)
2017 Mercer County 85–71 Franklin County BB&T Arena, Highland Heights Seygan Robins (Mercer County)
2018 Mercer County 74–34 Mercy BB&T Arena, Highland Heights Seygan Robins (Mercer County)
2019 Ryle 63–48 Southwestern Rupp Arena, Lexington Maddie Scherr (Ryle)
2020 Cancelled
2021 Louisville Sacred Heart 49–47 Marshall County Rupp Arena, Lexington Josie Gilvin (Sacred Heart)
2022 Louisville Sacred Heart 64–46 Bullitt East Rupp Arena, Lexington Za'Kiyah Johnson (Sacred Heart)
2023 Louisville Sacred Heart 68–53 McCracken County Rupp Arena, Lexington Za'Kiyah Johnson (Sacred Heart)
2024 Louisville Sacred Heart 60-49 McCracken County Rupp Arena, Lexington Za'Kiyah Johnson (Sacred Heart)
2025 Louisville Sacred Heart 65-60 George Rogers Clark Rupp Arena, Lexington Za'Kiyah Johnson (Sacred Heart)
2026 George Rogers Clark 48-43 Louisville Assumption Rupp Arena, Lexington Teigh Yeast (GRC)

Schools with at least three boys' state championships

Schools with at least two girls' state championships

Notes and references

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