The Louisville Male High School boys basketball team is off to a hot start, combining early success with an eye toward continued growth.
"We've had three or four [teams] that've been like this, where we know we're really good, but we got a lot of improvement to make," head coach Tim Haworth said. "But it's been a great start to the season."
The Bulldogs have suffered just one loss to a Kentucky team this season, and that was by only one point. Still, their biggest accomplishment so far came over the holiday break.
For the first time since 2007, Male captured the King of the Bluegrass tournament title.
"For us to be able to win that prestigious tournament, we beat [the] one, two, and three [teams] in the state on three consecutive nights," Haworth said. "That was special for us to be able to do that."
Male senior Cornelius Barnett said it meant a lot to make team history.
"Especially with my guys," he said. "You know, I love them. Especially for my coach—that's his first one. So it means everything."
After winning one in-season tournament, the Bulldogs set their eyes on the next one: the Louisville Invitational Tournament (LIT), which begins Tuesday for Male.
While the King of the Bluegrass victory boosted team confidence, players and coaches point to leadership as the Bulldogs' true X-factor.
Male's ultimate goal is to end the season with another tournament win—the Sweet 16 in Lexington—a stage the program has not reached in the past two seasons.
"[20]22 and [20]23, I had great leadership. Both of those teams won the region as well. This team compares to that," Haworth said. "I have great leadership, especially with my seniors and then even the younger guys. You know, every day is a war in practice. And so we're just connected."
Barnett was a freshman on the 2023 team, the last Male squad to reach the Sweet 16. To return to the Sweet 16, the Bulldogs must first win their region, and they know leadership will be key.
"We all show great leadership, but I feel like that's the main thing that's the same about our team [compared to the 2023 team]," Barnett said. "We hold everybody accountable. From the first to the 15th guy."
Male will take on Pleasure Ridge Park High School in its first round of the LIT tournament tonight at Valley High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.