In 2016, in classes 1A, 2A, and 5A, Beechwood, Estill County, and Madison Central retained their state champion titles with the other two classes having some monumental surprises. In class 3A, defending champion Adair County was awarded third place with the previous year's runner-up. Bourbon County claiming the 3A championship followed by Russell County in second and Taylor County in fourth. In class 4A, defending champion Grant County was 8th place in semifinals and did not advance to finals, neither did perennial finalist Madisonville North Hopkins. Instead, Anderson County and Hopkinsville retained two finalist spots with two newcomers, South Warren and Barren County, with Hopkinsville taking the title, making them the third school ever to win class 4A under the new format.