Girls District Final Thursday Night; UK's Pope Fined For Post-Auburn Game Outburst

Breckinridge County Lady Tigers and Meade County to face off in championship game

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Girls 11th District Basketball Tournament Championship game will be played tonight at Tiger Arena between the Breckinridge County Lady Tigers and Meade County. Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope has been issued a public reprimand and fined $25,000 by the SEC for postgame conduct and comments related to officiating following the Wildcats' game at Auburn.

Why it matters

High school basketball district tournaments are an important part of the road to the state championships, with the winners advancing to the regional tournament. The fine and reprimand for Coach Pope highlights the ongoing tensions between coaches, officials, and the SEC over controversial calls during games.

The details

The Girls 11th District Basketball Tournament Championship game will tip off at 6pm tonight at Tiger Arena. Coverage on 104.3, the River, begins at 5:45pm. In other boys basketball action, Apollo defeated Owensboro Catholic 54-42 in the 9th District Semifinals last night. Coach Pope's fine and reprimand from the SEC comes after he was overheard expressing anger over an offensive foul call against one of his players late in the Wildcats' loss at Auburn on Saturday.

  • The Girls 11th District Basketball Tournament Championship game will be played tonight (February 26, 2026) at 6pm.
  • Apollo defeated Owensboro Catholic 54-42 in the 9th District Semifinals last night (February 25, 2026).
  • Coach Pope was fined and reprimanded by the SEC following Kentucky's game at Auburn on Saturday (February 22, 2026).

The players

Breckinridge County Lady Tigers

The girls basketball team from Breckinridge County High School that has advanced to the 11th District Tournament Championship game.

Meade County

The girls basketball team from Meade County High School that will face Breckinridge County in the 11th District Tournament Championship game.

Mark Pope

The head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, who was fined and reprimanded by the SEC for his postgame conduct and comments related to officiating following a loss to Auburn.

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What they’re saying

“We must hold our coaches accountable for inappropriate behavior, as the integrity of the game is paramount.”

— SEC Commissioner (SEC Press Release)

What’s next

The winner of the Girls 11th District Tournament Championship game will advance to the regional tournament.

The takeaway

High school basketball district tournaments are an important part of the road to the state championships, with tensions often running high between coaches, officials, and the governing bodies over controversial calls. The fine and reprimand for Coach Pope highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining sportsmanship and professionalism at the highest levels of the sport.