LEXINGTON, KY – The 2026 Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Girls Sweet 16 basketball tournament is underway at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, running from Wednesday, March 11th through Saturday, March 14th. The tournament features a strong field, including several highly-ranked teams vying for the state championship. No. 1 George Rogers Clark leads the pack, but several other contenders, including No. 2 Assumption, are making their presence felt early in the competition. This year’s bracket showcases both familiar powerhouses and teams experiencing Sweet 16 success for the first time in decades.
The tournament kicked off on Wednesday with several decisive victories. Frederick Douglass defeated Henderson County 44-23, while Assumption overpowered Calloway County 72-35. Notre Dame secured a commanding win over Pikeville with a score of 77-38 and Taylor County narrowly edged out West Jessamine 60-58. These opening-round matchups set the stage for a thrilling quarterfinal round on Thursday.
Assumption’s appearance in the Sweet 16 marks a significant milestone, as it’s their first since 2007. Bullitt East likewise returns to the tournament after a two-year absence, last appearing in 2022. The field includes a total of ten teams from the final Kentucky High School Girls Basketball Media Poll: No. 1 George Rogers Clark, No. 2 Assumption, No. 3 Simon Kenton, No. 5 Calloway County, No. 7 North Laurel, No. 8 Frederick Douglass, No. 9 Taylor County, No. 11 Notre Dame, No. 14 Ashland Blazer, and No. 15 Henderson County.
Thursday’s Quarterfinal Schedule
Thursday’s schedule features four key matchups. Bullitt East (19-12) will face Franklin-Simpson (24-7) at 11 a.m., followed by Ashland Blazer (26-5) taking on Simon Kenton (31-2) at 1:30 p.m. The evening session begins at 6 p.m. With Owensboro Catholic (26-9) versus Letcher County Central (23-10), culminating in a highly anticipated clash between No. 1 George Rogers Clark (29-2) and North Laurel (25-6) at 8:30 p.m. All games are available for subscribers to watch live at khsaa.tv.
Assumption Dominates in First Round
The Assumption Rockets demonstrated their strength in Wednesday’s opening round, defeating Calloway County 72-35. Ashlinn James led the Rockets with 22 points, while Se’Rae Bundrent-Palmer contributed 18. Assumption coach Caryn Kovatch emphasized the team’s depth, stating, “There’s no downplaying what we have…Any five on the floor, I wonder what other teams or coaches are saying. I wouldn’t seek to play (against) them, and I played against a lot of people.” The Courier Journal reported on the Rockets’ impressive performance.
Assumption (25-5) will now face No. 8 Frederick Douglass (25-7) in the quarterfinals on Friday at 11 a.m., a rematch of a December 9th game that Assumption won 67-35.
Friday’s Quarterfinal Lineup
Friday’s schedule also includes a matchup between Notre Dame (25-7) and Taylor County (28-6) at 1:30 p.m. The winners of Thursday’s Ashland Blazer-Simon Kenton and Owensboro Catholic-Letcher County Central games will face off at 6 p.m., followed by a contest between the victors of Bullitt East-Franklin-Simpson and George Rogers Clark-North Laurel at 8:30 p.m.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
The tournament will continue on Saturday with the semifinals at 11 a.m. And 1:30 p.m., culminating in the championship game at 7:30 p.m. The intensity is expected to increase as the remaining teams battle for a chance to claim the coveted Kentucky High School Girls Basketball title. Fans can follow all the action live on khsaa.tv.
As the Sweet 16 progresses, the focus will be on whether George Rogers Clark can maintain its top ranking and secure the championship, or if a team like Assumption can continue its impressive run and claim the title. The coming days promise exciting basketball and unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.
Stay tuned for further updates and coverage of the KHSAA Sweet 16 tournament. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
