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. Noon; Elizabethtown vs Bullitt East The tournament starts with a bang as two of the better…
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Continue ReadingLooking 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.
Noon; Elizabethtown vs Bullitt East
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 Whitney Hay Whitney Hay 6'0" | PF Elizabethtown | 2020 State KY (a Belmont signee) and her 19 points per game. She is joined by future NKU guard Ellie Taylor Ellie Taylor 5'11" | CG Elizabethtown | 2020 State KY and top Junior Kayra Freeman Kayra Freeman 5'5" | PG Elizabethtown | 2021 State KY . All three are double figure scorers and capable of huge scoring games. Bullitt East is led by future Georgetown Tiger Lexie Taylor and double figure scorers Emma Egan Emma Egan 5'8" | SF Bullitt East | 2022 State KY and Kennedy Griffin Kennedy Griffin 5'7" | SF Bullitt East | 2020 State KY . The X factor for the Chargers is 6’6 Gracie Merkle Gracie Merkle 6'6" | C Bullitt East | 2022 State KY . She is going to be a matchup problem for the Panthers.
1:30; Ryle vs Letcher County Central
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 Kaylee Banks, Brooklyn Collins and Brooke Bates who are all double figure scorers. Meanwhile the Lady Raiders come back to Rupp Arena led by Miss Basketball favorite Maddie Scherr Maddie Scherr 5'11" | CG Ryle | 2020 State KY and 9th region tournament MVP Brie Crittendon Brie Crittendon 5'9" | SG Ryle | 2021 State KY . Abby Holtman and Jaiden Douthit are both playing good basketball lately and have Ryle looking for a repeat title.
6:30; Casey County vs Pikeville
The night cap starts with a very balanced attack from Casey County taking on a very solid Pikeville squad led by Kirsten Cole-WIlliamson, Kelsey Jo Tackett Kelsey Jo Tackett 5'9" | SF Pikeville | 2020 State KY , Alivia Gearhart and star 8th grader Trinity Rowe. Casey has 4 players who share the wealth. Gena Cravens Gena Cravens 5'10" | PF Casey County | 2020 State KY , Lauren Lee Lauren Lee 5'6" | PG Casey County | 2020 State KY , Jordyn Stephens Jordyn Stephens 5'6" | CG Casey County | 2020 State KY , Natalie Duggins, and Shaylah Wilkey 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.
8:00; Franklin County vs Anderson County
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 Brooklynn Miles Brooklynn Miles 5'6" | PG Franklin County | 2021 State #48 Nation KY brings the Lady Flyers into Rupp on an 8 game win streak. Patience Laster Patience Laster 5'10" | PF Franklin County | 2022 State KY 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 Amiya Jenkins Amiya Jenkins 5'10" | SF Anderson County | 2022 State KY is one of the best young players in Kentucky. Past Jenkins, Sophie Smith, Anna Foley, Tiffani Riley, and Rachel Satterly all average 8 points per game or more and any of the 4 could go for 15+ this week at Rupp.