State Tournament: Wednesday Players to Watch

Looking ahead to this week’s state tournament at Rupp Arena, here’s a breakdown of players to watch this week at the KHSAA State Tournament. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Noon; Elizabethtown vs Bullitt East</strong></span> The tournament starts with a bang as two of the better teams in the state do battle. The Lady Panthers are led by Miss Basketball candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31807" first="Whitney" last="Hay"]</strong> (a Belmont signee) and her 19 points per game. She is joined by future NKU guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31820" first="Ellie" last="Taylor"] </strong>and top Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="88430" first="Kayra" last="Freeman"].</strong> All three are double figure scorers and capable of huge scoring games. Bullitt East is led by future Georgetown Tiger <strong>Lexie Taylor</strong> and double figure scorers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106141" first="Emma" last="Egan"] and [player_tooltip player_id="145023" first="Kennedy" last="Griffin"]. </strong>The X factor for the Chargers is 6’6 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106153" first="Gracie" last="Merkle"]</strong>. She is going to be a matchup problem for the Panthers. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1:30; Ryle vs Letcher County Central</strong></span> The defending state champions continue their title defense when they face off against the Lady Cougars of the 14th region. Letcher comes in as winners of 6 in a row and are led by <strong>Kaylee Banks, Brooklyn Collins and Brooke Bates</strong> who are all double figure scorers. Meanwhile the Lady Raiders come back to Rupp Arena led by Miss Basketball favorite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31803" first="Maddie" last="Scherr"]</strong> and 9th region tournament MVP <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="88421" first="Brie" last="Crittendon"].</strong> <strong>Abby Holtman</strong> and <strong>Jaiden Douthit</strong> are both playing good basketball lately and have Ryle looking for a repeat title. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>6:30; Casey County vs Pikeville</strong></span> The night cap starts with a very balanced attack from Casey County taking on a very solid Pikeville squad led by <strong>Kirsten Cole-WIlliamson, [player_tooltip player_id="80520" first="Kelsey" last="JoTackett"], Alivia Gearhart </strong>and star 8th grader <strong>Trinity Rowe. </strong>Casey has 4 players who share the wealth. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145022" first="Gena" last="Cravens"], [player_tooltip player_id="80511" first="Lauren" last="Lee"], [player_tooltip player_id="145017" first="Jordyn" last="Stephens"], Natalie Duggins, and Shaylah Wilkey</strong> all average 8.6 points per game or more. Lee is a really good shooter and has the chance to impress this week at Rupp. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>8:00; Franklin County vs Anderson County</strong></span> Franklin County and Anderson County is a heavyweight match-up to end the first day at Rupp. One of the best players in the state, Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31846" first="Brooklynn" last="Miles"]</strong> brings the Lady Flyers into Rupp on an 8 game win streak. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31877" first="Patience" last="Laster"] </strong>is a big time post prospect who is a tough cover for any opposing team. Anderson County has won 9 in a row coming into the Sweet 16 and Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31885" first="Amiya" last="Jenkins"]</strong> is one of the best young players in Kentucky. Past Jenkins, <strong>Sophie Smith, Anna Foley, Tiffani Riley, and Rachel Satterly </strong>all average 8 points per game or more and any of the 4 could go for 15+ this week at Rupp.