Day 2 — Championship Sunday — was everything it was supposed to be. Fun, intense, competitive, and high energy from start to finish. With it being a single-elimination format, every game carried weight. You could feel it in the gym—every possession mattered.

This weekend also marked the start of the Connect League Basketball season, and it definitely started with a bang. With 30 teams across multiple age groups and 7 champions crowned, this set the tone for what’s to come as the league continues to expand into different locations.

From middle school (girls and boys) all the way up to high school varsity, the level of competition was strong across the board.

Middle School Girls Division

Southern Select (Champions)
Southern Select had a great weekend and controlled most of their bracket. They showed consistency on both ends, but the Wildcats made them earn it every time they matched up—especially in the championship game.

PAL United (Runner-Up)
PAL United plays with grit and applies pressure as well as any team in the field. They gave the champs a real fight and made things uncomfortable all game long. Even though they fell short, this being their first weekend together says a lot. Definitely a team to watch as the AAU season progresses.

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6th Grade Boys

Kentucky Vision (Champions)
Complete dominance all weekend. They handled business and showed clearly why they deserved to come out on top.

True Grit (Runner-Up)
Solid group that put together a strong weekend overall. Came up short in the championship, but they’re competitive and will be a team to keep an eye on moving forward.

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7th Grade Boys

Super Hoopers (Champions)
One of the more polished teams in the tournament. They play together, they’re disciplined, and they’re coached well. A well-oiled machine.

D1 Elite (Runner-Up)
A well-rounded team that finished 2-2 on the weekend. They didn’t reach their goal, but they have the pieces to keep improving as the season goes on.

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8th Grade Boys

Life is Sports (Champions)
Easily one of the most electrifying teams in the entire tournament. From the bench to the crowd, the energy was different. They’re deep, well-coached, and play with constant pressure—similar to those old Kentucky Wildcats platoon teams. They went 4-0 on the weekend and never really let up.
Ty Fields and Tre Jarber led the way and set the tone.

Kentucky Vision (Runner-Up)
Finished 3-1 and showed flashes of being a top team. With Lemireyan Wilhite averaging 15 PPG, they have a go-to scorer, and their size can cause problems. Adding a couple more pieces could take them to another level.

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9th Grade Boys

Wisconsin Titans (Champions)
First weekend together, and they came in with confidence. A mix of size, speed, and toughness. Traveling from the Midwest, they made a statement.

Rising Stars (Runner-Up)
Undersized but tough and physical. They’ve got a shooter in Jamari Chumney who can heat up quickly. Their defense is what carried them to the championship game. Bright future ahead for this group.

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10th Grade Boys

Shelby Stars (Champions)
Arguably the most complete team in their division. They play fast, they’re athletic, and they’re big inside. Multiple players who can go for 20+ on any given game, plus a big that’s a consistent double-double threat. Their 4-0 record speaks for itself.

Kentucky Vision (Runner-Up)
Already a strong team, but adding one or two more complementary pieces could really elevate them. Brayden Turner and Lucas Howard give them a strong foundation to build around.

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11th Grade Boys

Kentucky Vision (Champions)
Won the championship by default but still finished 3-1 on the weekend. Their ball movement and shooting stood out all tournament long. Led by Ouki Kosugi, who averaged 10 points and 7 assists.

CBG
This was a team that made noise. Conner Morguson was one of the top scorers in the event, averaging close to 30 a game.
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Final Thoughts

Overall, the level of play, the energy, and the competition made Day 2 a great watch from start to finish. This was the perfect way to kick off the Connect League Basketball season—and if this weekend was any indication, there’s a lot more to look forward to.