State Tournament: Thursday Players to Watch
Looking ahead to this week’s state tournament at Rupp Arena, here’s a breakdown of players to watch on Thursday at the KHSAA State Tournament. Noon; South Laurel vs. Sacred Heart Day two at Rupp tips off with a highly anticipated…
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Continue ReadingLooking ahead to this week’s state tournament at Rupp Arena, here’s a breakdown of players to watch on Thursday at the KHSAA State Tournament.
Noon; South Laurel vs. Sacred Heart
Day two at Rupp tips off with a highly anticipated match-up between two of the top teams in the state since the season tipped off. South Laurel has a high powered offense with Seniors Amerah Steele Amerah Steele 5'11" | PF South Laurel | 2020 State KY , Ally Collett Ally Collett 5'6" | PG South Laurel | 2020 State KY and Sydnie Hall all capable of huge individual performances. The recent addition of Sophomore Rachel Presley Rachel Presley 6'2" | C South Laurel | 2022 State KY (now eligible after a transfer) gives them a low post presence who shoots nearly 60% from the field. Sacred Heart is the favorite to win it all this week and their veterans are why. Erin Toller Erin Toller 5'6" | CG Sacred Heart | 2020 State KY and Kristen Clemons Kristen Clemons 6'0" | C Sacred Heart | 2020 State KY are both D1 athletes while freshman Triniti Ralston has stepped up with Radford signee Destinee Marshall Destinee Marshall 5'6" | PG Sacred Heart | 2020 State KY sidelined with a hand injury. The Thursday tip-off features a ton of talent and athleticism all over the floor.
1:30; Marshall County vs Henderson County
Sophomore Halle Langhi leads the Lady Marshalls in rebounding and is second on the team in scoring behind Junior guard Cayson Conner. Jada Driver could be the X factor for Marshall County as she averages just shy of 9 points and 4 rebounds per game. Henderson is led by second region player of the year Emilee Hope Emilee Hope 5'6" | SG Henderson County | 2020 State KY and her 19.4 points per game. Sadie Wurth is a capable second fiddle behind Hope, averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. Graci Risley is a big time shooter for Henderson, who lives and dies by the 3 ball.
6:30; Bowling Green vs Russell
The Lady Purples are a very young team, featuring only 3 Seniors. Saniyah Shelton, Keyozdon Jones, LynKaylah James and Meadow Tisdale all average 9.6 points per game for a balanced attack Shelton and Tisdale are only freshmen while James is a Sophomore. The future is bright for BG regardless of this weekend’s results. Russell Junior Kaeli Ross Kaeli Ross 5'7" | SG Russell | 2021 State KY and 8th grader Shaelyn Steele are a formidable 1-2 punch while Junior Aubrey Hill is a tough as nails third option for the Red Devils. Of all the first round matchups, these teams may have the best returning talent next season.
8:00; George Rogers Clark vs Owensboro Catholic
The Lady Cards are back at the Sweet Sixteen for the 4th straight year. NKU bound Senior Kennedy Igo Kennedy Igo 5'7" | PG George Rogers Clark | 2020 State KY is the straw that stirs the drink for them but Brianna Byars is improving with every game and Tyra Flowers Tyra Flowers 5'10" | SF George Rogers Clark | 2022 State KY and Shelbi Wilson are both very capable weapons for Coach Graham’s offense. Catholic is led by future Murray State Racer Hannah McKay Hannah McKay 6'0" | PF Owensboro Catholic | 2020 State KY . McKay leads the Lady Aces in almost every category, including points, rebounds, field goal percentage, three point percentage and free throw percentage. Spencer Harvey and Isabella Henning are the next most impactful players but the key to beating Catholic is slowing down McKay.