2023-2024 Basketball Invitationals, Classics, Shootouts and Showcases

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

We're all familiar with the handful of big names out there for the more prominent invitational tournaments, past and present. The Ashland Invitational Tournament, the King Of The Bluegrass, the Louisville Invitational Tournament, Marshall County Hoopfest. Over time, those have come so ubiquitous that even their abbreviations have turned into familiar vocabulary around the Commonwealth with names like the AIT, the KOB, the LIT, and simply "Hoopfest."

There's always the 'All-A' Classic, and more recently a new invitational tournament, the Kentucky 2A Classic, to talk about throughout the season, with their spans of multiple weeks, rounds, and gymnasiums around the state, but this thread is intended more to discuss the one-offs around Kentucky; the tournaments that take place over the course of one or two weekends, at one venue.

Which are your favorites? Which events draw the highest level of high school competition around the state each year? What is your favorite up-and-coming tourney? What are other talents outside of the state seem to draw a lot of Kentucky hoops programs each year? Lets hear what you have to say about the many high school basketball events we have around Kentucky.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Please fill us in on any tournament info you see posted - particularly anything regarding teams participating in tournament, and dates/locations/times. The list will be updated as the thread progresses.

859/502 Challenge
Dec 2 at Frederick Douglass High School
Butler vs. Lexington Catholic
Ballard vs. Lexington Christian Academy

Berea Holiday Classic
Dec 20 at Berea High School (Round 1)
Metcalfe County vs. Model - 3:00pm
Lee Coounty vs. Menifee County - 4:30pm
Estill County vs. West Carter - 6:00pm
Berea vs. Garrard County - 7:30pm

Billy Hicks Classic
Dec 6 at Great Crossing High School (Round 1)
Franklin County vs. Great Crossing - 6:00pm
Frederick Douglass vs. Woodford County - 7:30pm

Dec 6 at Scott County High School (Round 1)
Lafayette vs. Scott County - 6:00pm
Ballard vs. Montgomery County - 7:30pm

Cayce Mill Classic
Dec 2 at Hopkins County Central High School
University Heights Academy vs. Page, TN - 2:00pm
[MIDDLE SCHOOL] University Heights vs. South Hopkins - 4:00pm
Hopkins County Central vs. Todd County Central - 6:00pm

Clash At The Swamp
Jan 13 at Greenwood High School
Bowling Green vs. Ensworth (TN) - 2:00pm
Butler County vs. Christ Presbyterian Academy (TN) - 4:00pm
Greenwood vs. Kirkwood (TN) - 6:00pm

Derek Smith Invitational
Dec 2 at St. Xavier High School
Bilingual Christian Acad., FL vs. St. Frances Acad., MD - 1:45pm
Bardstown vs. St. Xavier - 3:30pm
Seneca vs. Shabach Christian Acad., MD - 5:15pm
Bishop O'Connell, VA vs. Southern Coast Acad., FL - 7:00pm
Prolific Prep, CA vs. Link Academy, MO  - 8:45

Dec 3 at St. Xavier High School
St. Xavier vs. Prolific Prep, CA - 12:00pm
Frederick Douglass vs. St. Frances Academy, MD - 1:45pm
Word Of God Christian Acad., NC vs. Southern Coast Acad., FL - 3:30pm
Seneca vs. Bilingual Christian Acad., FL - 5:15pm
DeSales vs. Shabach Christian Acad., MD - 7:00pm

DJ Begley Classic
Dec 1 at Hazard High School
Perry County Central vs. Magoffin County - 5:30pm
Hazard vs. Owsley County - 7:30pm

Dec 2 at Hazard High School
East Ridge vs. South Laurel - 3:00pm
Knott County Central vs. Pike County Central - 5:30pm
Breathitt County vs. Martin County - 7:30pm

Estill County Railroad Classic
Dec 28 at Estill County High School (Round 1)
Covington Holy Cross vs. Wolfe County - 3:00pm
Magoffin County vs. Montgomery County - 4:45pm
Newport Central Catholic vs. Russell - 6:30pm
Lafayette at Estill County vs. Lafayette - 8:15pm

German American Bank Classic
Jan 6 at Bowling Green High School
Glasgow vs. Ohio County - 2:00pm
Barren County vs. Whites Creek (TN) - 3:45pm
Greenwood vs. Owensboro - 5:30pm
Bowling County vs. Henderson County - 7:15pm

GJ Smith Showcase
Nov 25 at South Laurel High School
[JV] Russell County vs. Williamsburg - 10:00am
Russell County vs. Williamsburg - 11:00am
Beth Haven vs. Pineville - 12:30pm
Knox Central vs. Lincoln County - 2:00pm
Madison Central vs. Perry County Central - 3:30pm
Pulaski County vs. Whitley County - 5:00pm
Bell County vs. Madison Southern - 6:30pm
Danville Christian Academy vs. Harlan County - 8:00pm
Rockcastle County vs. South Laurel - 9:30pm

Griffin Elite Prep Classic
Dec 15 at Griffin Elite Health & Wellness - Erlanger, KY
Elder (OH) vs. IMG Academy (FL) - 7:00pm
Newport vs. Huntington Prep (WV) - 9:00pm

Dec 16 at Griffin Elite Health & Wellness - Erlanger, KY
DeSales vs. Harlan County - 5:00pm
Lloyd Memorial vs. IMG Academy (FL) - 7:30pm

Dec 17 at Griffin Elite Health & Wellness - Erlanger, KY
DeSales vs. Kings (OH) - 12:00pm
Cooper vs. Legacy Charter (FL) - 2:30pm
Centerville (OH) vs. Moravian Prep (NC) - 5:00pm
Covington Catholic vs. La Lumiere (IN) - 7:30pm

H+W / Dukes Sports 5th vs. 8th Region Showcase
Dec 2 at Marion County High School
Anderson County vs. Green County - 1:30pm
Henry County vs. Thomas Nelson - 3:15pm
Marion County vs. Walton-Verona - 4:45pm
Central Hardin vs. Oldham County - 6:30pm
Spencer County vs. Taylor County - 8:15pm

Henderson Chevrolet GMC Classic
Dec 28 at Henderson County High School
South Warren vs. Ballard Memorial - 12:30pm
Union County vs. Mayfield - 2:00pm
Owensboro vs. Henry Clay - 3:30pm
Mountain Brook, AL vs. Male - 5:00pm
Henderson County vs. Muhlenberg County - 6:30pm
Webster County vs. Central Hardin - 8:00pm

Dec 29 at Henderson County High School
Mt. Vernon, IN vs. Mayfield - 12:30pm
South Warren vs. Union County - 2:00pm
Ballard Memorial vs. Owensboro - 3:30pm
Central Hardin vs. Male - 5:00pm
Henderson County vs. Mountain Brook, AL - 6:30pm
Henry Clay vs. Webster County - 8:00pm

Dec 30 at Henderson County High School
Henry Clay vs. Union County - 12:00pm
Mountain Brook, AL vs. Webster County - 1:30pm
Henderson County vs. Ballard Memorial - 3:00pm
Evansville Memorial, IN vs. Owensboro - 4:30pm

Independence Bank Classic
Dec 29 at Owensboro Sports Center
Breathitt County vs. Muhlenberg County - 10:30am
Butler County vs. Carlisle County - 12:00pm
Crittenden County vs. McLean County - 1:40pm
Breckinridge County vs. Greenwood - 3:15pm
[GIRLS] Hancock County vs. Reitz Memorial (IN) - 4:50pm
Hancock County vs. Rock Creek Academy (IN) - 6:20pm
Caverna vs. Owensboro Catholic - 8:00pm

Dec 29 at Owensboro Sports Center
Butler County vs. Caverna - 10:30am
Breckinridge County vs. Carlisle County - 12:00pm
Breathitt County vs. McLean County - 1:40pm
[GIRLS] Hancock County vs. Harrison (IN) - 3:15pm
Crittenden County vs. Hancock County - 4:50pm
Owensboro Catholic vs. Rock Creek Academy - 6:20pm
Greenwood vs. Muhlenberg County - 8:00pm

Jersey Mike's Classic
Dec 2 at Great Crossing High School
Franklin County vs. Pendleton County - 1:00pm
Pineville vs. Scott County - 2:15pm
Butler County vs. Christian County - 4:00pm
Great Crossing vs. Manual - 7:30pm

John Turner Classic
Dec 9 at Newport High School
Conner vs. Mariemont (OH) - 12:00pm
Cooper vs. St. Xavier (OH) - 5:15pm
Covington Catholic vs. Newport - 7:00pm
Campbell County vs. Newport Central Catholic - TBD
Central Hardin vs. Ryle - TBD

Kelsey Sorrell Memorial Scrimmages
Nov 18 at Simon Kenton High School
St. Henry vs St. Bernard (OH) - 9:00am
Covington Catholic vs. Oak Hills (OH) - 10:20am
Scott vs. Hamilton (OH) - 11:40am
Simon Kenton vs. South Laurel - 1:00pm
Conner vs. Cincinnati Country Day - 2:20pm
Dixie Heights vs. North College Hill (OH) - 3:40pm

LaRosa's Holiday Hardwood Classic
Dec 28 at Xavier University Cintas Center
[GIRLS] West Clermont, OH vs. Mount Healthy, OH - 11:00am
[GIRLS] Seton, OH vs. Ursuline Academy, OH - 12:45pm
Elder, OH vs. Anderson, OH - 2:30pm
Taft, OH vs. Withrow, OH - 4:15pm
Milford, OH vs. Sycamore, OH - 6:00pm
Lakota West, OH vs. Fairfield, OH - 7:45pm

Jan 14 at Xavier University Cintas Center
Loveland, OH vs. Mount Healthy, OH - 1:00pm
Cooper vs. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, OH - 2:45pm
Great Crossing vs. Princeton vs. Great Crossing, OH - 4:30pm
Highlands vs. Moeller, OH - 6:15pm
Covington Catholic vs. Lakota East, OH - 8:00pm

Marshall County Hoopfest
Nov 30 at Marshall County High School
La Lumiere (IN) vs. Orangeville Prep (Ontario, Canada) - 4:00pm
Link Academy (MO) vs. Legacy Early College (SC) - 5:30pm
Long Island Lutheran (NY) vs. Oak Hill (VA) - 7:00pm
Butler County vs. Massac County (IL) - 8:30pm

Dec 1 at Marshall County High School
Legacy Early College (SC) vs. Orangeville Prep (Ontario, Canada) - 12:00pm
Graves County vs. Parkview (GA) - 4:00pm
Calvary Christian (FL) vs. Faith Family (TX) - 5:30pm
La Lumiere (IN) vs. Oak Hill (VA) -7:00pm
Evangel Christian vs. Combine Academy (NC) - 8:30pm
Marshall County vs. Goodpasture (TN) - 10:00pm

Dec 2 at Marshall County High School
Murray vs. Parkview (GA) - 9:00am
[GIRLS] Marshall County vs. Green Hill (TN) - 10:30am
McCracken County vs. New Madrid Central (MO) - 12:00pm
Bowling Green vs. Calloway County - 1:30pm
Madisonville-North Hopkins vs. Marshall County - 4:00pm
Calvary Christian (FL) vs. Mount Vernon (GA) - 5:30pm
Lyon County vs. Memphis Whitehaven (TN) - 7:00pm
Combine Academy (NC) vs. Faith Family (TX) - 8:30pm

Mike Murphy Classic
Dec 8 at Mason County High School
[GIRLS] Mason County vs. Bryan Station - 6:00pm
Mason County vs. Green County - 7:30pm

Dec 9 at Mason County High School
Pendleton County vs. Manchester (OH) - 1:00pm
Green County vs. Augusta - 2:30pm
[GIRLS] Mason County vs. Eastern Brown (OH) - 4:00pm
Fleming County vs. Scott - 6:00pm
Mason County vs. Lexington Christian - 7:30pm

Mountaineer Kick-Off Classic
Nov 27 at Oneida Baptist Institute
Lynn Camp vs. Oneida Baptist Institute - 8:00pm

Nov 28 at Oneida Baptist Institute
Jackson County vs. Leslie County - 6:00pm

Nov 30 at Oneida Baptist Institute
Barbourville vs. Betsy Layne - 6:00pm
Red Bird vs. Oneida Baptist Institute - 7:30pm

Ohio Valley Hoops Classic
Dec 1 at Mason High School (OH)
Withrow (OH) vs. Crispus Attucks (IN) - 5:30pm
Newport vs. Richmond Heights (OH) - 7:00pm
Mason (OH) vs. Taft (OH) - 8:30pm

Dec 2 at Mason High School (OH)
Chaminade Julienne (OH) vs. Miami East (OH) - 1:00pm
Lloyd Memorial vs. Sycamore (OH) - 2:45pm
St. Xavier (OH) vs. Lakota East (OH) - 4:30pm
Bishop Alter (OH) vs. Hilliard Bradley (OH) - 6:15PM
Kings (OH) vs. Preble Shawnee (OH) - 8:00pm

Dec 3 at Mason High School (OH)
Cooper vs. Delaware Hayes (OH) - 2:00pm
Rowan County vs. Woodward (OH) - 3:45pm
Lloyd Memorial vs. Goshen (OH) - 5:30pm

Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative's PRTC Classic
Dec 1 at Jackson County High School
Harlan County vs. Jackson County - 6:30pm

Dec 2 at Jackson County High School
Jackson County vs. Lee County - 6:30pm
Boyd County vs. Madison Southern - 8:00pm

Raymond Reed Classic
Jan 13 at South Laurel High School
Bell County vs. South Laurel - TBD
Clay County vs. Sevier County (TN) - TBD
Corbin vs. Sevier County (TN) - 12:15pm
Harlan County vs. Woodford County - TBD

Saint Mary Christmas Classic
Dec 20 at St. Mary High School (Round 1)
Logan County vs. St. Mary - 1:00pm
Dawson Springs vs. Livingston Central - 3:00pm
Ballard Memorial vs. Crittenden County - 5:00pm
Carlisle County vs. Grayson County - 7:00pm

Scott Winter Classic
Dec 20 at Scott High School
Conner vs. Aiken (OH) - 3:00pm
Cooper vs. Oldham County - 4:30pm
Dixie Heights vs. Scott - 6:00pm
Moore vs. Simon Kenton - 7:30pm

Dec 21 at Scott High School
Dixie Heights vs. Oldham County - 3:00pm
Cooper vs. Aiken (OH) - 4:30pm
Conner vs. Simon Kenton - 6:00pm
Collins vs. Scott - 7:30pm

Dec 22 at Scott High School
Conner vs. Oldham County - 3:00pm
Aiken (OH) vs. Scott 4:30pm
Cooper vs. Dixie Heights - 6:00pm
Fern Creek vs. Simon Kenton - 7:30pm

South End Shootout
Dec 2 at Iroquois
Southern vs. Louisville Holy Cross vs. Southern - 2:00pm
Owensboro vs. Waggener - 3:45pm
Fairdale vs. North Bullitt - 5:30pm
Eastern vs. Iroquois - 7:15pm

WGM Holiday Classic
Dec 27 at Lexington Catholic High School (Round 1)
Harrison County vs. Woodford County - 10:30am
Cooper vs. Madison Southern - 12:00pm
DeSales vs. Lexington Christian - 1:30pm
Fleming County vs. Washington County - 3:00pm
LaRue County vs. North Laurel - 4:30pm
Lexington Catholic vs. Taylor County - 6:00pm
Bourbon County vs. Lyon County - 7:30pm
Calloway County vs. Frederick Douglass - 8:00pm

Zip-Zone Express Tip-Off Classic
Nov 25 at Martin County High School
Prestonsburg vs. Magoffin County - 10:40am
Ashland vs. Pike County Central - 12:00pm
Butler County vs. Lawrence County - 1:20pm
Boyd County vs. Evangel Christian - 2:40pm
Great Crossing vs. Lyon County - 4:00pm
[GIRLS] Martin County vs. Tug Valley (WV) - 5:20
Floyd Central vs. Tug Valley (WV) - 6:40pm
Martin County vs. Chapmanville (WV) - 8:00pm

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

The LaRosa's Holiday Hardwood Classic is one that has my interest for a variety of reasons (including the fact that my Colonels are playing in it). Cooper, Cov Cath, and Great Crossing have all announced that they're competing. According to the website for the event, there will be a total of 8 games on Jan 13 & 14 at Xavier University's Cintas Center. That's some great competition at a great venue.

Looks like they're yet to release who else will be competing in the event, so I'll hold off on adding that into the master list until we know more.

LaRosa's Holiday Hardwood Classic
Jan 14 at Xavier University Cintas Center
Cooper vs. Cincinnati Hills Christian Acad. (OH) - 2:45pm
Covington Catholic vs. Lakota East (OH) - 8:00pm
Great Crossing vs. Princeton (OH) - TBD

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Doesn't look like this one has a full dance card yet at Muhlenberg County in the beginning of December.

Farmer's Bank & Trust Tip-Off Classic
Dec 1 at Muhlenberg County High School
Logan County vs. Muhlenberg County

Dec 2 at Muhlenberg County High School
Northeast (TN) vs. Muhlenberg County - 7:00pm
Hopkinsville vs. Ohio County - TBD

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

The King Of The Bluegrass tournament is yet to come out with an official list of teams, but several Kentucky programs have released schedules showing the tournament. Looks like it's going to be December 19-23.

King Of The Bluegrass
Dec 19 at Fairdale High School (Round 1)
Bowling Green vs. TBA
Butler County vs. TBA
Frederick Douglass vs. TBA
Great Crossing vs. TBA
Harlan County vs. TBA
Male vs. TBA
Taylor County vs. TBA
Trinity vs. TBA
Warren Central vs. TBA

Dec 2 at Fairdale High School (Round 1)
Newport vs. TBA

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

One pretty cool one I'd like to see more of is the 859/502 Challenge. I like the idea of pitting one area of the state against another. Kinda like the 5th vs. 8th Region Showcase and the 9th Region vs. 10th Region Showcase.

It's being held at Douglass, so I would assume they're competing in it (it's not currently shown in their schedule on the KHSAA Scoreboard). Only one game listed currently on the scoreboard:

859/502 Challenge
Dec 2 at Frederick Douglass High School
Butler vs. Lexington Christian Academy - 12:00pm

[Tigerpride94]

Derek Smith Invitational. St. X hosting and will play Prolific Prep (CA). I was told will be a lot of college coaches at this game. I'm not sure about schedule but I'm sure more info on this Invitational will be forthcoming.

[Waterboy70]

Saturday, January 13, 2024
Clay County	-	vs.Sevier County (Sevierville), TN (at South Laurel)	-	Raymond Reed Classic
Bell County	-	at South Laurel	-	Raymond Reed Classic
Corbin	-	vs.Sevier County (Sevierville), TN (at South Laurel)	-	12:15 PM Raymond Reed Classic
Harlan County	-	vs.Woodford County (at South Laurel)	-	Raymond Reed Classic

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Billy Hicks Classic
Dec 6 at Great Crossing High School (Round 1)
Franklin County vs. Great Crossing - 6:00pm
Frederick Douglass vs. Woodford County - 7:30pm

Dec 6 at Scott County High School (Round 1)
Lafayette vs. Scott County - 6:00pm
Ballard vs. Montgomery County - 7:30pm

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

22 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Derek Smith Invitational. St. X hosting and will play Prolific Prep (CA). I was told will be a lot of college coaches at this game. I'm not sure about schedule but I'm sure more info on this Invitational will be forthcoming.

Looks like they still are working on adding some teams, according to the KHSAA Scoreboard. Here are the games they're showing thus far for the Derek Smith Invitational:

Dec 2 Seneca vs. TBA
Dec 2 St. Xavier vs. Washington County - 3:30pm

Dec 3 DeSale vs. TBA
Dec 3 Frederick Douglass vs. TBA
Dec 3 St. Xavier vs. Prolific Prep Academy (CA) - 7:00pm

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

The Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic looks pretty great on Dec 20-22 in Gatlinburg. They run two (32) team tournaments, one boys and one girls, on eight courts in 3 days' time. It's hosted by Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg, TN and Gatlinburg-Pittman High Schools. They haven't released the 2023 brackets yet, but here are the boys programs involved. Almost half of the teams in the boys tournament are from Kentucky:

Kentucky Schools
Betsy Layne
Cumberland County
Floyd Central
Hazard
Knott County Central
Letcher County Central
Magoffin County
Morgan County
Muhlenberg County
Pineville
Russell County
Webster County
Williamsburg

Georgia Schools
Lanier Christian Academy

Louisiana Schools
Archbishop Shaw

Mississippi Schools
Ingomar

Ohio Schools
Harvest Prep

South Carolina Schools
Eastside
Landrum

Tennessee Schools
Cascade
Chattanooga Christian School
First Baptist Academy
Gatlinburg-Pittman
Livingston Academy
Notre Dame
Warren County
Westmoreland
Wilson Central

Virginia Schools
George Wythe
Ridgeview
Wise Central

West Virginia Schools
St. Joseph Central Catholic

[Tigerpride94]

1 hour ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Looks like they still are working on adding some teams, according to the KHSAA Scoreboard. Here are the games they're showing thus far for the Derek Smith Invitational:

Dec 2 Seneca vs. TBA
Dec 2 St. Xavier vs. Washington County - 3:30pm

Dec 3 DeSale vs. TBA
Dec 3 Frederick Douglass vs. TBA
Dec 3 St. Xavier vs. Prolific Prep Academy (CA) - 7:00pm

I learned today that St. X is only providing facility and tickets will be sold through people putting on the tournament.

[King of the Bluegrass]

On 10/22/2023 at 4:40 PM, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

The King Of The Bluegrass tournament is yet to come out with an official list of teams, but several Kentucky programs have released schedules showing the tournament. Looks like it's going to be December 17-23.

King Of The Bluegrass
Dec 17 at Fairdale High School (Round 1)
Bowling Green vs. TBA

Dec 19 at Fairdale High School (Round 1)
Butler County vs. TBA
Frederick Douglass vs. TBA
Great Crossing vs. TBA
Harlan County vs. TBA
Male vs. TBA
Taylor County vs. TBA
Trinity vs. TBA
Warren Central vs. TBA

Dec 2 at Fairdale High School (Round 1)
Newport vs. TBA

December 19-23, 2023 NO PAIRINGS until mid November.

[Second guy]

Cayce Mill Classic @Hopkins County Central- Dec 2nd

2:00 University Heights Vs. Page (Tn.)

4:00 University Heights (Middle School) Vs. South Hopkins (Middle School)

6:00 Hopkins County Central Vs. Todd County

[2nd and Goal]

Henderson Chevrolet GMC Classic

@Henderson County High December 28, 29 & 30

Dec. 28

South Warren vs. Ballard Memorial 12:30pm

Union County vs. Mayfield 2:00pm

Owensboro vs. Henry Clay 3:30pm

Mountain Brook (AL) vs. Male 5:00pm

Henderson County vs. Muhlenberg County 6:30pm

Webster County vs. Central Hardin 8:00pm

Dec. 29

Mt. Vernon (IN) vs. Mayfield 12:30pm

South Warren vs. Union county 2:00pm

Ballard Memorial vs. Owensboro 3:30pm

Central Hardin vs. Male 5:00pm

Henderson County vs. Mountain Brook (AL) 6:30pm

Henry Clay vs. Webster County 8:00pm

Dec. 30

Henry Clay vs. Union County 12:00pm

Mountain Brook (AL) vs. Webster County 1:30pm

Henderson County vs. Ballard Memorial 3:00pm

Evansville Memorial (IN) vs. Owensboro 4:30pm