Sweet 16: Day 2 Performances Heard Around the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day 2 of the opening round of the Sweet 16 brought even more excitement and buzz throughout the state as players looked to make a name for themselves and leave their mark on the big stage. Here's a look at some of the best performances from Thursday's action at Rupp Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["821756"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b416c46457c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Franklin-Simpson picked up an impressive 66–47 victory over Bullitt East. The state's top three-point shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='821756' first='Allye' last='Pennington'], set the tone offensively with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds, drilling six triples in the win. The Lady Wildcats will need to bring their best effort in their matchup against GRC tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747655"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b416c464622"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='747655' first='Mariella' last='Claybrook'] stepped up in a major way, finishing with 28 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 1 assist. Her incredible performance wasn't enough, however, as her team fell to GRC 55–46, bringing a very strong season to an end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1199136"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b416c4646a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1199136' first='Angela' last='Kabeya'] continues to make her case as one of the top 2030 prospects in Kentucky. She poured in a game-high 29 points, adding five rebounds and two steals while going 4-of-6 from three-point range, leading Simon Kenton to a 70–61 victory over Ashland Blazer and a spot in the Sweet 16 quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376761"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b416c464712"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='376761' first='Anna' last='Tinelli'] finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists as the Lady Chargers were eliminated by Franklin-Simpson. Tinelli also reached the 1,500-point milestone and will continue her academic and athletic career at Southeastern University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["724181"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b416c464779"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 16th Region Player of the Year, [player_tooltip player_id='724181' first='Gabby' last='Karle'], gave it everything she had, finishing with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in an opening-round loss to Simon Kenton, a game that was closer than the final score indicated. Karle will continue her academic and athletic career at Malone University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913673"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b416c4647e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owensboro Catholic defeated Letcher County Central in convincing fashion, 59–35. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='913673' first='Sophia' last='Newby'] led the way with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal, earning Player of the Game honors. The Lady Aces will now take on Simon Kenton in the next round.<em> (Featured Image)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->