The 44th Annual Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass is set to take center stage at Fairdale High School from December 18–22, 2025, promising five days of thrilling high school basketball action. This year’s tournament once again reinforces its reputation as one of the premier holiday events in the nation, featuring an outstanding mix of Kentucky’s elite alongside high-level out-of-state programs. With two reigning regional champions, six of Kentucky’s preseason Top 10 teams, 11 teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, and a nationally recognized contender in St. Xavier—ranked No. 41 in the MaxPreps National Preseason Rankings—the 2025 field sets the stage for another unforgettable showcase of talent, toughness, and competitive fire.
Highlighting the field are reigning regional champions St. Xavier (7th Region) and North Laurel (13th Region). St. Xavier, the defending KOB champion, returns a strong nucleus led by senior wing Jeremiah Jackson and standout guards Josh Lindsay and Chief Cameron, while North Laurel brings back Liberty commit Reece Davidson, the preseason No. 1 senior in Kentucky. Adding to the intrigue, the 16-team field includes perennial in-state powers such as Covington Catholic, Male, Frederick Douglass, Madison Central, and Warren Central, along with Tennessee Class 3A powerhouse Greeneville and Alabama 6A contender Lee-Huntsville. Each team arrives with experience, star power, and meaningful expectations, creating one of the deepest fields in recent tournament history.
This year’s tournament also boasts some of the top individual talents in the region. Madison Central’s Jake Feldhaus, a Belmont signee and one of the top Mr. Basketball contenders, anchors one of Kentucky’s most experienced teams. North Laurel’s Reece Davidson, a 6’8” forward and Liberty commit, is widely regarded as one of the state’s most dominant frontcourt players. Covington Catholic’s Athens McGillis, Northern Kentucky’s Preseason Player of the Year, returns after averaging over 20 points per game, while Frederick Douglass star DeMarcus Surratt, a Bellarmine commit, brings explosive scoring and elite athleticism. Other standouts include Grayson County’s Jack Logsdon, a Western Kentucky commit and one of Kentucky’s premier junior scorers, Lyon County leader Bray Kirk, and St. Xavier’s emerging sophomore big man Jordan Jackson. Out-of-state headliners include Greeneville guards Yordan Mills and Taren Claridy, the experienced engines behind one of Tennessee’s most consistent winning programs.
The action tips off with a strong slate of first-round matchups on Thursday. North Oldham, the preseason favorite in the 8th Region, opens against Grayson County, one of the highest-scoring teams in Kentucky behind the trio of Jack Logsdon, Brody Armstrong, and Spencer Langdon. Madison Central, led by Feldhaus and a returning senior-heavy lineup, follows with a marquee matchup against Trinity, paced by senior wing Garrison Gilvin. Next, defending KOB champion St. Xavier—ranked No. 1 in Kentucky and No. 41 nationally—takes on Warren Central, a program reloaded with emerging sophomore Armani Byrd. Rounding out opening night, host Fairdale faces LaRue County, with the Bulldogs leaning on sharpshooting senior Michael Ray Stinnett and athletic guard Kamarion Roberts.
The excitement continues with Friday’s games, beginning with a compelling interstate matchup between Male and Greeneville (TN). Male’s trio of Jordan Mitchell, Trey Hillerich, and Jaymes Clark will challenge Greeneville’s experienced guard duo of Mills and Claridy. Covington Catholic, the preseason favorite in the 9th Region, then takes on Lee (AL), whose senior-heavy roster—including Chase Stuart and Je’Rion Peebles—brings defensive intensity and championship pedigree. Frederick Douglass follows with a showdown against Butler, a rising 6th Region contender led by standout guards Adrian Wilder and Henrich Barjolo. The first round concludes with a battle between North Laurel, anchored by Davidson, and Lyon County, guided by Bray Kirk, Isaac Defew, and junior Nolan Coffman.
The tournament continues on Saturday and Sunday, with eight games each day narrowing the field toward Monday’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 Monday 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 six preseason Top 10 teams, 11 Top 25 teams, and a nationally ranked contender in St. Xavier, the 2025 event continues its tradition of showcasing many of the region’s brightest young stars. Will a Kentucky powerhouse defend home turf, or will an out-of-state crash the party and take the title home? The answers will unfold over five unforgettable days of hoops, creating memories that players and fans alike will carry long after the final buzzer.
