Kentucky's KHSAA Boys Basketball Semifinals Tip Off

Grayson County and St. Xavier face off in the first semifinal matchup

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:50pm

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) boys basketball championships have reached the semifinal round, with the Grayson County Cougars taking on the St. Xavier Tigers in the first matchup. Grayson County reached this stage by defeating Taylor County and Great Crossing, while St. Xavier advanced past Covington Catholic and North Laurel. The winner of this semifinal will move on to face the victor of the North Oldham Mustangs and George Rogers Clark Cardinals matchup.

Why it matters

Kentucky is one of only two states, along with Delaware, that does not split its boys basketball playoffs by classification, making the KHSAA tournament a highly anticipated annual event that crowns a single state champion. This semifinal matchup features two of the top programs in the state vying for a spot in the championship game.

The details

The Grayson County Cougars and St. Xavier Tigers will tip off their semifinal matchup at 11 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 21. Grayson County reached this stage by defeating Taylor County 73-64 and Great Crossing 58-50, while St. Xavier advanced past Covington Catholic 75-61 and North Laurel 46-42. The winner of this game will move on to face the victor of the North Oldham Mustangs and George Rogers Clark Cardinals semifinal.

  • The semifinal game between Grayson County and St. Xavier is scheduled for 11 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 21.
  • Grayson County defeated Taylor County 73-64 and Great Crossing 58-50 to reach the semifinals.
  • St. Xavier advanced to the semifinals by defeating Covington Catholic 75-61 and North Laurel 46-42.

The players

Grayson County Cougars

The Grayson County Cougars are one of the top high school basketball programs in Kentucky, having reached the semifinals of the KHSAA tournament.

St. Xavier Tigers

The St. Xavier Tigers are another powerhouse program in Kentucky high school basketball, also making it to the semifinals of the KHSAA tournament.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winner of the Grayson County vs. St. Xavier semifinal will advance to the KHSAA boys basketball championship game to face the victor of the North Oldham vs. George Rogers Clark semifinal.

The takeaway

The KHSAA boys basketball tournament is a highly anticipated annual event in Kentucky, as it is one of the only states that crowns a single state champion without separating teams by classification. This semifinal matchup between Grayson County and St. Xavier features two of the top programs in the state vying for a spot in the championship game.