Every year, once we turn the calendar from the month of February, we Kentuckians look at the month of March as it’s almost time for “King Basketball” to rule here in the Commonwealth.
Once the Kentucky High School Athletic Association high school district and regional tourneys have crowned their respective champions, it’s time for the ever popular – SWEET 16.
Throughout all of Kentucky’s 120 counties, you can feel the great vibrations that dictate March while all of high school basketball crowns a new state champion!.
The fans across the state will take to the highways and interstate with their destination – RUPP ARENA where they will enjoy the ambiance of it all.
The beloved “SWEET 16” every year brings with it – the rich history that dates back in time 108 years ago to 1918 when it featured 18 teams. Over the years, the tourney evolved in reduction to hosting 16 – thus the lovable term – “Sweet 16”.
Kentucky is one of just a few states that still holds a state tournament without a class system that divides large and small schools into separate tournaments.
The tourneys rich history reflects various locations including UK’s gymnasium, Alumni Gym, Memorial Coliseum, Freedom Hall and currently Rupp Arena since 2019.
Of course, the Sweet 16 competition covers both the boys’ and girls’ teams, which takes place today for the 2026 girls’ teams downtown at Rupp which is the 65th annual tourney.
Louisville Sacred Heart is the reigning girls’ 2025 Champions defeating George Rogers Clark 65-60 for their leading 9th Championship and 5th straight,
Northern Kentucky’s Simon Kenton and Cooper High were among the Sweet 16.
Covington Holy Cross won the 2015 crown defeating Allen County-Scottsville 35-32.
• Last Friday, the girls 2026 9th Regional finals got underway with #9 Notre Dame Academy (24-7) defeating #8 Holy Cross in OT 40-39. The Pandas move in to the Sweet 16 that gets underway today meeting the 15th Region champions Pikeville (22-8) at 6 p.m. tonight.
• Saturday night, the girls 8th Regional crown was won by #2 Simon Kenton (31-2) defeating Anderson County 63-36. Simon Kenton will meet the 16th Region Champions – #14 Ashland (26-5) Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
• For the 10th Regional finals of Saturday – #1 George Rogers Clark (29-2) defeated #6 Campbell County 74-41and will meet 13th Region Champion North Laurel (25-6) tomorrow at 8:30 p.m.
A year ago, the boys’ 2025 crown was won by Great Crossing (Georgetown) defeating Bowling Green 71 – 61. Northern Kentucky’s Cooper High defeated Henderson County 50-35 and lost in the 2nd round to Tourney Champion – Great Crossing (Georgetown) 49-36.
The first round of the boys tournament is set for next Wednesday, March 18 when the 9th Region Champions meet the 7th Region winner at 11 a.m.
If you are making plans to attend this year’s Sweet 16 in Lexington, you will love every minute of it. I certainly hope your favorite team is among the regional champions and you’ll make it to Rupp.
RUPP MEMORIES
Over my many years of calling play by play of basketball, my trips to Rupp are always so very special. From 43 years ago, back in1983 when I made my first trip to Rupp with Tower Cablevision Channel 12 to host a TV special entitled ‘MEET THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS OF ‘83”.
The very moment I walked into the spacious arena, I could feel the magic. When you look to the upper deck, you will be amazed as to the magnificence of it all.
In 2014, I joined the KHSAA Radio network, this time not to call play by play, but to handle the courtside reports from the sidelines and special interviews in the stands as well.
What a different perspective that was.
Even then, covering all 15 games of the Sweet 16 boys games, as I looked up into the seats, thousands of Kentucky High School fans were cheering just like they did if our beloved Wildcats were on the floor.
Kentucky’s girls from all over the Commonwealth begin the games today and bring with them the spirit and pride of their respective teams. Make no mistake, these young ladies can play the game.
NKU WOMEN AND THE RECIPE OF SUCCESS
Having been the Voice of Northern Kentucky University’s women’s basketball team for many years, I quickly came to admire and marvel at the physical talents these ladies possessed.
They had it all, thus they reason they wore proudly those NKU jerseys with pride and performance. The Norse strength included talent, skills, grit, strength, ambition, focus and of course, they were on a mission.
You can believe whatever Kentucky girls’ team cuts down the nets this weekend, they too possessed the aforementioned NKU formula for success that created the Sweet 16 Championship.
The odds of a play-by-play announcer calling an NCAA Basketball game for the National Championship is less than buying a lottery ticket.
Yet, my fellow Hall of Famer and broadcast partner Denny Wright for many years at NKU did exactly that.
Together, we called the NCAA 2008 Women’s National Title game when Hall of Fame Coach – Nancy Winstel’s Norse won their 2nd National Title, defeating South Dakota 63-58 in Kearney, Nebraska.
NKU’s first NCAA DII Title came in 2000, Denny Wright called that win.
Many may have forgotten over the last 18 years when Coach Winstel women were down by 10 points late in the 2nd half. The NKU women reached down for that grit, pride and talent and proceeded on to complete their mission of winning NKU’s 2nd NCAA DII Women’s National Championship.
Coach Nancy Winstel did something that is very rare or even nonexistent in the moments after the game.
Denny and I were bursting with pride, beginning our post-game radio show when Coach Winstel came to our broadcast table and with great pride said, “C’mon! Let’s cut some net!”
I went first, climbed the ladder and snipped some NCAA Championship Net which I still cherish so much even today.
Denny enjoyed the same magic moments later.
It’s not very often that coaches come to the broadcast table and invite their broadcasters to join in the tradition.
I had mentioned to Coach Winstel that if we should win the NCAA title, I would jump in the hotel pool with my clothes on.
She never let me forget that and at the pool declared: “Remember what you said – hit the water!”
I jumped in as the team and Coach Winstel loved it.
I think we can still call it – THE THRILL OF VICTORY!
Today, when 16 of Kentucky finest Girl’s basketball teams roll into Lexington and occupy the sacred hardwood of Rupp Arena, they bring with them that same grit, desire and talent while on their mission to become the KHSAA State champions of 2026.
Of course, the very best to our three Northern Kentucky teams – Notre Dame Academy, George Rogers Clark and Simon Kenton!
Remember! The Fun begins today because – It’s SWEET 16 – KENTUCKY STYLE!