Sweet 16 Preview: Thursday Players to Watch (FREE)

Steve Quattrocchi April 7, 2021 @ 02:20 PM

The 2021 Sweet 16 is off and running at Rupp Arena and we’re here to take a quick look at players to watch in Thursday’s opening round games. Pikeville vs. Marshall County: The Panthers are led by Freshman star Trinity Rowe Trinity Rowe 5'7" | PG Pikeville | 2024 State KY . Rowe already has a couple of D1 offers and does a little bit of everything for her team. She plays with the ball in her hands most of the time so she has a lot of opportunities to affect the game for her team. Mackenzie Maynard and Kristen Whited are both double figure scorers for Pikeville and could be the key to a win. The Lady Marshalls rely on Cayson Conner Cayson Conner 5'8" | PG Marshall County | 2021 State KY and Halle Langhi Halle Langhi 6'1" | C Marshall County | 2022 State KY for the majority of their offensive production but Jada Driver, Layne Pea and Sophie Galloway provide quality depth for Marshall. Driver is one of the top shooters in the state at 45& from deep this season and her perimeter scoring could open the offense up for Langhi and Conner. Bethlehem vs Bullitt East: The Banshees have one of the best starting 5s in the state and are a real threat to win it all this week. Ella Thompson Ella Thompson 6'0" | PF Bethlehem | 2021 State KY , Amelia Hodges Amelia Hodges 5'6" | SG Bethlehem | 2021 State KY , Carlie Thurmond Carlie Thurmond 5'7" | PG Bethlehem | 2024 State KY and Xaviara Smalley Xaviara Smalley 6'3" | C Bethlehem | 2023 State KY all average double figures and Emma Filiatreau Emma Filiatreau 6'2" | C Bethlehem | 2023 State KY and Kasey Spalding Kasey Spalding 5'8" | SF Bethlehem | 2022 State KY both bring offense in their own right. Bethlehem has 6 very talented players in their rotation and this game against Bullitt East is going to be a great one. Bullitt East should be able to match Bethlehem in talent level and depth. Gracie Merkle Gracie Merkle 6'6" | C Bullitt East | 2022 State KY and Emma Egan Emma Egan 5'8" | SF Bullitt East | 2022 State KY are the only double figure scorers on the roster but Selena Granado Selena Granado 5'8" | CG Bullitt East | 2021 State KY , Lilly Reid Lilly Reid 5'6" | PG Bullitt East | 2023 State KY and Lexi Starr all play a role for the Chargers. Merkle vs Smalley is going to be quite a post matchup to watch. Henderson County vs Apollo: Henderson beat Apollo last month by 17 behind big games from Kaytlan Kemp and Mallorie Veal. The second region player of the year Sadie Wurth Sadie Wurth 5'8" | SG Henderson County | 2021 State KY is going to be an impact player in this game and Jarie Thomas and Gracie Risley are two of the top players in the region. Apollo fought through a couple of Covid pauses and got hot at the right time to get to Rupp. Kassidy Daugherty Kassidy Daugherty 5'6" | SG Apollo | 2021 State KY and Amaya Curry Amaya Curry 5'6" | CG Apollo | 2022 State KY are double digit scorers but Zoe Floyd could be the X factor in this particular game as she led the team in scoring with 7 points last time and could double that this time out if the E-Gals want to get past the Colonels. Dixie Heights vs. Russell: Everyone expected Ryle to be back at Rupp to defend their title but Dixie had different plans. The 9th region champs are led by Madelyn Lawson Madelyn Lawson 5'8" | SG Dixie Heights | 2022 State KY in her comeback season but Sydney Lockard Sydney Lockard 5'6" | PG Dixie Heights | 2021 State KY and Laci Reinhart Laci Reinhart 5'7" | CG Dixie Heights | 2021 State KY make Dixie a true state title contender. Russell is super talented and a real threat to go far at Rupp but have their hands full with Dixie. Aubrey Hill Aubrey Hill 5'9" | PF Russell | 2021 State KY and Shaelyn Steele Shaelyn Steele 5'5" | PG Russell | 2024 State KY are a dynamic duo but the rest of the starting 5 is nothing to sneeze at as Kaeli Ross Kaeli Ross 5'7" | SG Russell | 2021 State KY , Jenna Adkins and Bella Quinn Bella Quinn 5'7" | SG Russell | 2024 State KY are all solid players and any one of the 3 is capable of going off and being the difference maker for the Red Devils.