State Tournament: Day Two Standout Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Mingua Beef Jerky/KHSAA Girls' Sweet 16 kicked off on Wednesday with 4 games at Rupp Arena and continued Thursday with the remaining 4 opening round games. If you are from outside of Kentucky, our state tournament set up is very unique. Rather than having classes or divisions, there are 16 regions across the state and the winners from each of those regional tournaments earn a trip to the state tournament. Essentially, there is only one state champion crowned across the entire state each year. There is a blind draw to determine which region's will face one another in the opening round of the tournament. Below you can read about some of the players that had standout performances on day two of the Sweet 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254279"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eIf you want a know what a special player does, let me preface this by telling you what the “norm” is for Macy. It is typical for her to score 20+ points and grab 15+ rebounds in a game. It doesn't matter who she's playing, she is capable of putting up huge numbers because she is that good. The opening round of the Sweet 16 was no different as she finished the game with 31 points, 17 rebounds, 2 blocks, an assist, and a steal. Macy can do it all and she just keeps improving every part of her game. Her outside shooting and ball handling is at a different level from a year ago. Her ability to finish over defenders and through contact is special. Just a really special player overall.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1059182' first='Tessa' last='Miles']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Bethlehem","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eRather than getting frustrated when her shots weren't falling early on, Miles stepped up the intensity in every part of her game. She was playing tough defense and contributing in a variety of ways offensively. She was really working to slide her feet and stay in front of Pikeville's quick, physical guards. After scoring 2 points in the first half, Miles finished the game with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and an assist, along with 0 turnovers.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["167106"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I was trying to avoid including seniors here, but I had to include u003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eRowe because she might be the highest IQ player I've gotten the chance to watch for the entirety of her high school career. She just has a special feel for the game that you can't teach. She makes such smart plays and can thread the needle perfectly to get her teammates open looks, but it goes far beyond her talent when you're talking about what makes her game impressive. She is a true coach on the floor and she cares more about getting her teammates going than she does about her own accolades. Rowe has been truly spectacular in her career at Pikeville and it'll be exciting to see what she does at the next level.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["493155"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eGreen just keeps growing her game more and more every time I watch her play. Her comfortability and confidence jumped out to me in her team's first game of the tournament. When her team needed a basket, Green seemed to be a part of getting them that in some way every time, whether she was hitting the shot or she was kicking it to a teammate. She handled the ball well and hit some huge 3-pointers to help her team come back and get the win after getting down 12 in the first half. Green finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, and 1 assist.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Allyson Rideout","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Henderson County","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eRideout just kept doing the little things that made a big difference for her team. She remained very solid even at the end of the game despite playing every single minute for her team. Rideout hit some big outside shots and grabbed multiple rebounds. She stayed in front defensively and kept her composure even when her team got down by double digits in the first half. Rideout finished the game with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["502287"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eCarter-Swanagan is so quick and shifty with the ball. She lives for the big moments and isn't afraid to be the one to take big shots. She played a huge role in getting her team the lead back in the final quarter and while they ultimately fell short, she never stopped fighting. Carter-Swanagan scored at all 3 levels and contributed in every way imaginable despite being a point guard. She finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["257276"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eIt felt like Pelayo was the X factor in the Valkyries opening round win. They did not have an answer for her down low, but she also showed her range by extending out and knocking down a 3-pointer in her team's win. She has excellent length and height, but what really stood out was her touch on both sides of the basket. She shot 8-for-11 from the field and scored a game-high 20 points. She also had 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["254273"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eJohnson always puts on a show, but the way she played so selfless in the opening round further spoke to how special of a player she truly is. Despite facing double-teams, she stayed calm and collected and found the open teammate. The way she can elevate over defenders to knock down jumpers is extremely tough to stop, no matter how athletic the defender is. She finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Claire Russell","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Sacred Heart Academy","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eRussell might have the toughest job for the Valkyries game-in and game-out because she is typically tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player. However, she always does a great job and I've never once seen her complain about having to do all of the tough little things to help her team win games. Russell finished the game with 6 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["739686"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eStamper is the kind of player that plays with composure well beyond her age. She's only a freshman, but she just seems so under control at all times. She has excellent ball handling skills and she's a great playmaker. She is typically one of the shorter players on the floor, but she constantly finds ways to get open and knock down shots or get to the rim. Stamper finished the game with 13 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["747645"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eWhen some of her fellow starters were sidelined with fouls, Noel kept the offense going for Cooper. Obviously she got some much-needed help from her teammates, but she was handling pressure well and distributed the ball well. Frustration was setting in for her team as shots weren't falling, but I was impressed by the composure she showed. She finished the game with 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. Noel also played some tough defense and was smart with her shot selection and decision making. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["502110"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eDeere was tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player who sits at 6'4” from the start of the game and honestly, I can't imagine receiving that job. The player she was guarding not only has the height, but she can extend out and really do a little bit of everything, so the fact that Deere kept battling it out despite her running all over the court was very impressive to me. Deere also got things going offensively in the 2nd half. She scored 8 second half points and finished the game with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and 1 assist. Honestly, what stood out to me the most went beyond that though, it was the leadership she showed when her team was facing adversity.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["403464"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eMbugua might be the biggest hidden gem in the nation. Playing for a small school like Danville Christian and not playing AAU means a lot of people across the state have not gotten to see her play. She also does not have a social media presence, so it's hard to determine if her size is why her numbers look so good on paper or if she really is u003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022s2u0022u003ethatu003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003e good. Well after seeing her in person, she is even better than you would expect. I honestly think this would be a nationally ranked player if people outside of her area got to watch her play. She has excellent length and size, but can truly play any position on the floor. Mbugua was single-handedly keeping her team in the game and showed how special of a talent she is as she contributed in every way possible for her team. She finished the game with 34 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f35f188dc8d"} /-->