Things got heated in Louisville on Friday night as St. Xavier edged out Male High School, 68-59, in a game that had as much emotion as it did intensity on the court.
The matchup between two of Kentucky’s storied programs was already expected to be a battle, but tensions boiled over late in the first half when Male head coach Tim Haworth and St. X head coach Kevin Klein got into a heated exchange.
The confrontation, which unfolded in the final seconds before halftime, drew plenty of attention from fans and cameras alike. But credit to both coaches-whatever was said in the moment, they appeared to hash things out during the break and returned to the sideline for the second half with cooler heads.
That wasn’t the only flashpoint of the night. Video circulating on social media shows a moment where Coach Klein appeared to lunge toward a Male player who was trying to retrieve the ball.
The clip sparked debate online, with fans questioning the lack of attention the incident received in the immediate aftermath. It added another layer to an already emotionally charged night.
As the final buzzer sounded and St. X sealed the win, things didn’t exactly calm down.
Haworth was visibly frustrated and had to be separated from Klein in the postgame moments. While some early reports suggested police had to restrain Haworth, that was later clarified-officers did step in between the two coaches, but there was no physical restraint involved.
This game had all the makings of a rivalry classic: high stakes, passionate play, and no shortage of drama. And here’s the kicker-these two teams are set to meet again in just one week. If Friday night was any indication, the rematch is going to be must-see basketball.