Sweet 16 First Round Recap: Game 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Photo Credit: Cam Anderson</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Franklin County-51</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>-Second trip to state in the last 3 years-</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741172' first='Makiyia' last='Wheeler']-FR-PG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheeler displayed incredible court-vision, ran the show, and did a excellent job putting her teammates in position to score. She used her speed and ball handling ability to get into the paint for points at the rim as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 6 points and 9 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal and a block</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='985788' first='Keyonna' last='Taylor']-JR-SG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor scored well around the rim and from the low block, did a good job drawing contact inside that led to a lot of free throw chances. She also protected the rim and rebounded at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><br>Top Performer:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='413440' first='Rachel' last='Shropshire']-SR-SF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shropshire got it going from downtown in the second quarter hit two 3-pointers, followed that with a bucket with her back to the basket. She had a nice put-back bucket in the third quarter followed by another triple from the corner and finished strong through contact inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 14 points, 4 rebounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">North Laurel-30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>-Back in the state tournament for the second year in a row-</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='631212' first='Brooke' last='Nichelson']-JR-SG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nichelson was aggressive off the dribble and constantly made an effort to get the basket. She also pushed the pace in transition and made several trips to the free throw line, but struggled to find her any rhythm on offense and fouled out with 1:06 in the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 5 points and 5 rebounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493157' first='Haley' last='Combs']-SO-PG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Combs made heads up plays and did a good job putting the ball on the floor and getting into the lane. Her handles and speed allowed her to get past defenders. She also used active hands on defense and had a nice euro-step layup in the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 4 points, 3 steals, 1 assist, and a rebound</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Chloe McKnight-SR-C</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKnight got going offensively with a short jumper in the paint, showed effortless foot work on the low block and worked hard on the inside to gain position for rebounds. She made good passes out of the post when the double team came as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, a block</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><br><strong>Top Performer:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747655' first='Mariella' last='Claybrook']-FR-PF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claybrook used her size and length to alter shots and protect the rim on defense, she finished well around the rim, and showed off a nice turn-around jumper from the block, showing she can score with her back to the basket and faceup and shoot. She is very skilled for her size, had a nice put-back bucket in the third quarter and made good basket cuts throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->