The 43rd Annual Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass is set to take center stage at Fairdale High School from December 18-22, 2024, promising five days of thrilling high school basketball action. This year’s tournament once again solidifies its reputation as one of the premier holiday events in the nation, featuring an impressive lineup of Kentucky’s finest alongside elite out-of-state teams. With five reigning regional champions, eight of the top 10 teams in Kentucky, 11 of the state’s preseason Top 25 teams, and one preseason nationally ranked team, the stage is set for another unforgettable showcase of talent, grit, and competitive spirit.
Highlighting the field are regional champions Adair County (Fifth Region), Ashland Blazer (16th Region), Butler County (Third Region), Newport (Ninth Region), and Trinity (Seventh Region). Each of these teams brings a unique combination of experience, star power, and hunger to the tournament, making them strong contenders for the coveted King of the Bluegrass title. Adding to the intrigue, the 16-team field includes two highly touted out-of-state programs: Bryant, last season’s Arkansas Class 6A state runner-up and ranked No. 74 in the MaxPreps Preseason Rankings, and Mater Lakes Academy, a Florida Class 4A quarterfinalist.
This year’s tournament also boasts some of the top individual talents in the nation. Butler County’s Ty Price, a University of Tennessee at Martin commit was one of the state’s leading scorers last season. Joining him are Liberty commit Zander Carter of Ashland Blazer and South Carolina commit E.J. Walker of Lloyd Memorial. Other standout players include Woodford County’s Armelo Boone, a transfer from Frederick Douglass, Trinity junior Jayden Johnson, and Male junior Cole Edelen. Out of state talent includes Bryant (AR) senior Kellen Robinson, a Arkansas-Little Rock signee. Each of these athletes will look to leave their mark in front of packed crowds and college scouts.
The action tips off with a strong slate of first-round matchups. Adair County, ranked No. 7 in the state and preseason favorite in the Fifth Region, opens against North Oldham. Adair County’s Connor Loy and Isaiah Cochran will lead their team against North Oldham’s balanced attack, anchored by Brooks Cargould. Host Fairdale takes on defending Third Region champion Butler County, ranked No. 12 in the state and preseason favorite in the Third Region. Fairdale’s sophomore duo, Ferlandas Wright and Michael Ray Stinnett, will look to outduel Butler County leader Ty Price, a Tennessee-Martin commit and top 5 ranked player in the state. St. Xavier, ranked 2nd in the state and preseason favorite in the Seventh Region, follows with a showdown against Lloyd Memorial. St. Xavier’s dynamic duo of Chance Dillingham and Jeremiah Jackson will need to contain Lloyd Memorial’s South Carolina commit, E.J. Walker, a top 5 ranked player in the state. Rounding out the first day, Newport, ranked No. 5 in the state and preseason favorite the Ninth Region, takes on Bryan Station, ranked No. 10 in the state and picked 2nd in the Eleventh Region preseason, in what promises to be a great matchup featuring Newport’s Yamil Rondon and Bryan Station’s Amari Owens.
The excitement continues with Thursday’s games, beginning with a high-profile interstate clash between Bryant (AR) and Mater Lakes Academy (FL). Bryant, ranked No. 74 in the MaxPreps Preseason Rankings, returns its top three scorers, Kellen Robinson, Camarion Bead, and R.J. Young, and will look to showcase their depth and scoring prowess against Mater Lakes’ disciplined and athletic squad. Mater Lakes is led by the lengthy senior duo of Bertran Walthour and Teo Martinez. Male, ranked No. 4 in the state, then takes on Frederick Douglass, ranked 11th in the state, in a matchup of highly talented rosters. Male’s sharpshooter Cole Edelen and Keashawn Jordan will look to counter Frederick Douglass’ DeMarcus Surratt . Trinity, ranked No. 3 in the state, follows with a matchup against 18th ranked South Laurel, picked 2nd in the 13th Region, with Trinity’s Jayden Johnson and Julius Edmonds anchoring their team against South Laurel’s standout forward Jordan Mabe, an Alabama-Huntsville signee. The first round concludes with Ashland Blazer, ranked No. 9 in the state and preseason favorite in the 16th Region, facing Woodford County, ranked No. 8 in the state and preseason favorite in the Eighth Region. This battle of top 10 teams also features a clash of two of the state’s top-10 players in Liberty commit Zander Carter and Western Kentucky commit Armelo Boone.
The tournament progresses through Friday and Saturday, with eight games each day narrowing the field toward Sunday’s championship showdown. The consolation bracket, fifth-place game, and third-place matchup ensure plenty of action for fans, culminating in the championship game on Sunday evening.
This year’s King of the Bluegrass tournament is more than a basketball competition; it’s a celebration of the sport’s future. With eight of the Kentucky’s preseason top 10 teams, and the nation’s 74th-ranked Bryant (AR) squad, the event continues to showcase the very best in high school basketball. Will Kentucky teams extend their recent dominance, or will an out-of-state powerhouse like Bryant or Mater Lakes Academy take the title? The answers will unfold over five unforgettable days of hoops, creating memories that players and fans alike will cherish for years to come.
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