2023 MLK JR Classic at GRC: Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Over the weekend I attended the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr Classic hosted by George Rogers Clark High School located in Winchester, Kentucky. This was a 10 team showcase featuring some of the top prospects throughout the state. Each game was competitive, exciting, and action-packed. Below are the players that stood out the most and that made a difference for their team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["164400"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d2a7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The University of West Georgia is getting an absolute dog in [player_tooltip player_id='164400' first='Sydne' last='Tolbert']. She can easily be considered the best ball handling guard in Kentucky. Her elite quickness, shooting ability and ankle breaking handles makes it difficult for on-ball defenders to stop her from penetrating the lane or creating her own shot off the dribble. Tolbert plays way bigger than she appears and she contributed in a major way for the Lady Crimson leading them in scoring with 22 points. She was also awarded player of the game for her play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["164391"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d305"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The UB Commit [player_tooltip player_id='164391' first='Jakayla' last='Thompson'] looks like she can step on the court and produce right away for Head Coach Becky Burke next season. Thompson is a left hand player with tremendous athleticism, speed, and skill. She has had a solid senior season so far leading Manual in scoring with 15.5 points per game and rebounds with 5.3. Thompson dropped 20 points in a statement win over GRC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["199609"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d385"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">In a state full of elite three point shooters Lexi Weaver has to be at the top of the list if you ask me. She has been very consistent all season making 28 out of 48 of the three's she has attempted, which is an impressive 58.3% from beyond the arc. Weaver has a pure shooting form that looks the same every time she shoots it. She was on fire against GRC scoring 18 points hitting several shots from deep helping her team get the 75-64 victory. Coach Ashley Franklin has the #2 ranked team in the state and they look ready to compete for a state championship this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["164386"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d3cb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">No one showed the will to win more than [player_tooltip player_id='164386' first='Brianna' last='Byars'] at the MLK Classic. She scored a season-high 26 points leading all scorers for the game. Byars was unstoppable and just too much for Manual to handle. She took it upon herself many times to get a bucket when GRC needed it the most. Byars dominated the boards as well she often collected her own missed shot going right back up for the put-back score. This was a tough loss for GRC but these types of games at this point in the season will make them more prepared and build that championship chemistry they need to make a run at state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='739686' first='Kennedy' last='Stamper']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"George Rogers Clark","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"United Family","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d464"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='739686' first='Kennedy' last='Stamper'] showed flashes of the production that her team needs from her at this point in the season. There is a lot on the shoulders of the 8th grade starting point guard but she can bare the load and has the skill set and ability to compete against high level competition. Stamper scored 7 points and really got her teammates involved dropping several dimes throughout the game. I expect her to continue to play with this level of confidence and composer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["167100"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d4ad"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bath County has one of the most prolific scorers in the state of Kentucky. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='167100' first='Ashtyn' last='Barrett'] is a phenomenal talent with the ability to completely take over the game with her high level shooting. She is a bucket getter with endless range from three and the ball handling ability to create her own shot off the dribble as well as get to the rim when need be. Barret is averaging 19.8 points along with 6.7 rebounds per game. At the MLK Classic she went off for 28 points, which was probably the most points scored from a player in the entire event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["228185"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c606d87d4f1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='228185' first='Anna' last='Hamilton'] put on a really impressive performance on Saturday. She has led the Lady Cougars in scoring all season with 15.3 points per game, while shooting an impressive 80.8% from the charity stripe making 63 out of 78 of her attempts. Hamilton knocked down several three pointers and got into the lane for a few points as well. She was awarded player of the game and helped Conner gain their 11th win of the season with a score of 71-39 against Central Hardin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->