KHSAA State Sweet 16 ~ Championship

Jeremy Hobbs

March 31, 2022 @ 05:49 PM

Prep Hoops Staff was in attendance for the Sweet 16 games hosted at Rupp Arena on the campus of the University of Kentucky. After two consecutive years of battling ongoing Covid challenges, the tournament was back in full force. We bring you coverage of the best players from each session.   Saturday’s Championship:   Warren Central Dragons (4A) District 14 Region 4 Regular & postseason record: 28-3 Sweet 16 Titles (Last): 1 (1951) vs George Rogers Clark Cardinals (6A) District 40 Region 10 Regular & postseason record: 36-1 Sweet 16 Titles (Last): 1 (2004)   Warren Central - Junior Forward, Chappelle Whitney (Unranked in PH) Had Warren Central won the game, Whitney should have been in line to receive the MVP for the tournament. He rarely took possessions off. He was constantly pressing the issue and giving making effort. Whitney found success in every game because he found himself around the action early and often. Whitney finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Warren Central - Junior Guard, Izayiah Villafuerte (Unranked in PH) Villafuerte managed and controlled the pace and flow of the offense for the Dragons throughout each game. His calm, cool playmaking led him to finish the tournament with an outstanding ratio of 22 assists and only committing 2 turnovers. Villafuerte’s poise and patience gave Coach Unseld a floor general he could rely on during the intense moments and a player who could knock down the open perimeter shots. George Rogers Clark - Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id="801625" first="Tanner" last="Walton"] (PH Ranking #16) Walton played a great game wire to wire. He is a strong, physical player that plays at his pace and rarely does anything outside of his comfort zone. He plays tough on defense with active hands and quick feet. He committed himself to rebounding and oftentimes, had to chase them down. Even though he isn’t a superior leaper, he plays defense body to body and he has great instincts to block shots. Offensively, Walton led the Cardinals out in front with a 12-0 run and eventually knocked down a 3-pointer from the underneath out-of-bounds set. Walton finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. George Rogers Clark - Junior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id="692930" first="Jerone" last="Morton"] (PH Ranking #7) Morton was the leading scorer for the game and was named MVP of the tournament. Morton continued to wear out the left block in the half-court and no one seemed to stop him once he got to his spot. He showcased a sweet crossover drive in the paint and finish. George Rogers Clark - Junior Forward, [player_tooltip player_id="1108411" first="Trent" last="Edwards"] (PH Ranking #19) Edwards can find himself hovering around the perimeter on offense to open up the paint for the guards to have free driving lanes. But on defense, Edwards was a force all week. He altered and blocked multiple shots. He did a great job of battling Whitney & Glover on the glass and finished with 7 rebounds. Edwards has an underrated shooting stroke that came in the clutch as he connected on free throws late in the game to preserve the lead. Make sure you are following<a href="https://twitter.com/prephoopsky"> @PrepHoopsKY</a> on Twitter for weekly top games & top performers!