Tournament Champions — Male
Male entered the King of the Bluegrass as a complete mystery, having never won the event. Any questions about how good they are have now been answered.
2028 Jordan Mitchell didn’t just separate himself as the best sophomore in Kentucky’s 2028 class — he put the entire state on notice as one of the best players in Kentucky, regardless of class. His impact, poise, and clutch shot-making were undeniable.
Senior Jaymes Clark proved why he may be the best on-ball defender in his class, cutting off opponents all weekend and setting the tone defensively.
6’10 sophomore Trey Hillerich flashed his immense potential. As he stays out of foul trouble, his production is poised to skyrocket.
Male checks all the boxes for a team capable of cutting down the nets in March.
Tournament Runner-Ups — St. Xavier
St. Xavier entered as the favorite but fell just short.
Senior Jeremiah Jackson (Southern Illinois commit) delivered a strong and steady weekend. Even when his shot wasn’t falling in the championship, he still impacted the game and knocked down timely shots.
Senior guard Chief Cameron remains the engine of the team, setting the tone with pace, leadership, and energy, even in tough moments.
Sophomore phenom Josh Lindsay showed flashes of brilliance, and as he develops more off-the-dribble creation, he’ll become even harder to guard.
Sophomore Jordan Jackson showed promising potential. With continued skill growth and polish, his game is expected to evolve significantly.
Third Place — Madison Central
Madison Central showed why expectations were high, but also revealed areas needing improvement.
Senior Jake Feldhaus, a Mr. Basketball front-runner, remained a force offensively and a consistent double-double threat. However, foul trouble at key moments hurt the team’s rhythm.
Senior Luke Asher stepped up when Feldhaus was off the floor. A legitimate inside-out scorer, he can punish teams that overcommit to Feldhaus.
Sophomore Grayson Burton is the team’s X-factor. Transitioning from being a No. 1 option at his previous school to a third option here has been challenging. If he balances his game within the offense, the team’s ceiling is high.
Talent is undeniable. Success in March will come down to discipline, decision-making, and embracing roles.
Fourth Place — Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was one of the hardest-playing teams in the tournament.
Senior guard and Bellarmine commit DeMarcus Surratt is one of the most aggressive players in the state. He knows his strengths and plays confidently in all moments.
Senior Tate Robinson is a critical piece, one of the best shooters in Kentucky. Strength is an area to address to avoid being neutralized by physical teams.
Sixth man Dakari Talbert brings energy and fearless play. When he’s clicking, his impact can swing games dramatically.
Fifth Place — Covington Catholic
Covington Catholic dominated most of the tournament until running into Male.
Senior Athens McGillis proved why he’s in the “best PG in the state” conversation. The Male game forced him out of rhythm, but he battled and adjusted.
Junior Braeden Myrick showed elite shooting and tight handles, though finishing through contact is an area to improve.
Senior forward Donovan Bradshaw is the difference-maker. When he asserts himself in the paint and on the glass, the team becomes a completely different and terrifying unit.
Sixth Place — North Oldham
North Oldham was the youngest team in the field, likely a year away from a real state title run.
Junior Tommy Gregg can hurt teams both inside and out, comfortable playing with finesse but also embracing physicality.
Eighth grader Pierre Rondo plays well beyond his years, competing at a high level without being overwhelmed. Continued strength development will be key as opponents test him physically.
Surrounding them are young, complementary pieces that are steadily improving. With experience and growth, this group has serious long-term potential