From January 16-18, the Owensboro Sportscenter will host the Kentucky 2A State Basketball Championships. The boys’ and girls’ basketball state champions will be crowned for the seventh time in Kentucky 2A history.
Kentucky 2A provides an opportunity for mid-size high schools that are too large for the All “A” State Tournaments with an enrollment higher than 575 students, but still under 1,000. The inaugural Kentucky 2A Basketball Championships were held in January of the 2018-2019 school year. The organization now consists of statewide competitions in basketball, golf, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball. Kentucky 2A’s board works closely with the team at Visit Owensboro in the scheduling and planning of these competitions.
“The Kentucky 2A Championships are proud to partner with Visit Owensboro to provide our member schools with championship events in all nine sports,” Glenn Spalding, Chairman of Kentucky 2A, said. “They continue to create atmospheres that student athletes thrive in. We look forward to the upcoming Kentucky 2A state basketball tournament returning to the historic Owensboro Sportscenter.”
Calloway County will look to defend its 2025 championship in boys’ basketball, while Franklin County took home the girls’ title last season. There are currently 64 member schools throughout the state in Kentucky 2A. The organization’s efforts extend beyond the court and into the classroom, as a minimum of 10 scholarships are awarded to senior student athletes each year who will go on to attend any post-secondary institution within the state of Kentucky.
“Our team at Visit Owensboro is proud to work so closely with Kentucky 2A,” Lucas Daunhauer
of the CVB’s sports department said. “To be the home of each of the organization’s state championships is a great honor. Our community does an excellent job of supporting these sporting events that provide student athletes with unforgettable opportunities both on and off the court.”
Kentucky 2A Championships currently partners with Owensboro Health, H&W Dukes Sports, Cintas, Wright Implement, and Graphics for Athletics. Kentucky Wesleyan College and Keith Scharber also support the organization’s efforts throughout all of the state championship’s.
“The Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics staff helps us pull off a world-class event,” Mark Calitri, President of Visit Owensboro, said. “Their team shows up in every way, and Kentucky 2A appreciates their partnership. We also want to recognize Keith Sharber, the official voice of the 2A and All “A” Championships. His presence behind the mic elevates every game, and these events thrive with his support.”
The 2026 2A State Championships tip-off at 9 AM on Friday, January 16th and run through the weekend. Championship games will take place on Sunday with the girls’ tip-off at 12 PM and the boys to follow at 2 PM.
