January 18, 2026

The two top-ranked teams in Kentucky…Louisville Male High School and Male High School were involved in a significant post-game incident following their game in the Louisville Invitational Tournament (LIT) semifinals.

January 16, 2026: Male vs. St. Xavier Post-Game Confrontation

BroBible.com – Kentucky High School Basketball Game Ends With Fireworks Over Lack Of Sportsmanship By Coach

Following St. Xavier’s 61-55 victory over Male, an intense confrontation that occurred between the two coaching staffs: 

  • The Game: St. Xavier beat Male in a tight game to advance to the LIT championship, overcoming a 16-point deficit.
  • The Incident: Male head coach Tim Haworth had to be restrained by his players and security. He was involved in a heated shouting match with St. Xavier coach Kevin Klein.
  • The Cause: Haworth alleged that Coach Klein was shouting at Male players, stating, “I’m not going to have another head coach yell and say stuff to my players“.
  • Response: Coach Klein denied the allegations, stating he said “nothing to the (Male) players”.
  • Context: The game was a high-stakes rematch between the top-ranked teams in the state; police and school officials separated the two sides before the situation escalated further. 
  • The teams are set to play again in a regular season matchup on January 23, 2026, with the potential for future postseason meetings

The two teams will play each other for the third time this season on January 23rd.

From Google AI –Purpose of the post-game handshake line

The post-game handshake line is a sports tradition where opposing teams line up to shake hands, symbolizing sportsmanship, respect, and good character, especially in youth and high school sports, though it’s debated in professional leagues due to potential for tension, leading some to favor more organic gestures like nods or waves after intense games. While intended to teach lessons in handling victory and defeat gracefully, high-stakes or emotionally charged games sometimes see this ritual devolve into conflict, sparking discussions about its relevance versus the need for authentic respect. 

Follow-Up

St. Xavier went on to win their 3rd consecutive LIT title on Saturday beating Jeffersontown 72-56.