Sweet 16 Preview: Wednesday Players to Watch (FREE)

Steve Quattrocchi April 6, 2021 @ 06:00 PM

The 2021 Sweet 16 tips off on Wednesday morning at Rupp Arena and we’re here to take a quick look at players to watch in Wednesday’s opening round games. Knott County Central vs Sacred Heart: Knott is a balanced attack led by Keara Mullins and Abby Maggard Abby Maggard 5'6" | SG Knott County Central | 2023 State KY . The difference in this game could come down to either Kylie Gayheart Kylie Gayheart 5'5" | PG Knott County Central | 2024 State KY and Brooke Mason being able to step up and be a third (or fourth) scoring threat. The Valkyries were supposed to be rebuilding this year but tradition doesn’t graduate. Triniti Ralston Triniti Ralston 5'7" | PG Sacred Heart | 2023 State KY is one of the best guards in the state and has a lot of help with Josie Gilvin Josie Gilvin 5'10" | SG Sacred Heart | 2022 State KY , Reagan Bender, Alexander Wolff, Angelina Pelayo Angelina Pelayo 6'3" | C Sacred Heart | 2024 State KY and Olivia Kaufmann all being capable of getting into double figure scoring. Bowling Green vs Bishop Brossart: The Lady Purples won the 4th region again despite losing one of their best players to transfer. LynKaylah James has stepped up in a big way this season and Meadow Tisdale Meadow Tisdale 5'10" | PF Bowling Green | 2023 State KY is a walking double double. The front court should be an interesting matchup to watch in this one. Marie Kiefer Marie Kiefer 6'2" | C Bishop Brossart | 2021 State KY is signed to Ball State and will be one of the best talents in the entire field as she averages 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. She’s the biggest piece of the Brossart puzzle but the role players will need to step up for them to beat a talented Bowling Green team. Franklin County vs South Laurel: This one is a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16. Likely Miss Basketball Brooklynn Miles Brooklynn Miles 5'6" | PG Franklin County | 2021 State #48 Nation KY is the top player in the Senior class rankings but Patience Laster Patience Laster 5'10" | PF Franklin County | 2022 State KY is a mismatch in the post for most teams. Leshauvion Kennedy is the third leading scorer and a true X factor for the Lady Flyers. The Lady Cards head back to Rupp after losing their top 3 scorers from last year. It’s been a big season for Rachel Presley Rachel Presley 6'2" | C South Laurel | 2022 State KY and the matchup with her and Laster is the one to watch. Bree Howard and Reagan Jones are capable second options while Clara Collins has started to live up to her potential recently. Anderson County vs Southwestern: Anderson County has been the number one team in the state for most of the season. Amiya Jenkins Amiya Jenkins 5'10" | SF Anderson County | 2022 State KY is our top ranked 2022 and one of the most versatile players in the state. Tiffani Riley, Sophie Smith Sophie Smith 5'7" | CG Anderson County | 2021 State KY , Jacie Chesser and Rachel Satterly all average more than 7.5 points per game. Two years ago, the Warriors were the runners up for the state title. They’re back at Rupp now with Alexa Smiddy Alexa Smiddy 5'5" | PG Southwestern | 2021 State KY running the team from the point guard spot while Kaylee Young, Kinsley Molden, Marissa Loveless and Ayden Smiddy are all averaging 7 points per game or more.