KHSAA State Sweet 16 ~ Semi-Final, Pt. 2

Jeremy Hobbs

March 28, 2022 @ 07:59 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.   Region 4 Champion Warren Central Dragons (4A) Regular & postseason record: 27-3 vs Region 9 Champion Covington Catholic Colonels (5A) Regular & postseason record: 29-4   Warren Central - Junior Forward, Chappelle Whitney (Unranked in PH) Whitney continued to have a breakout tournament. After being plagued with foul trouble in the 1st half, he turned on the heat for the 2nd half. Whitney attacks the paint with purpose and commitment that is seldom found in average-sized high school players. Whitney notched 17 points in the 2nd half and finished with a team-high, 21 Warren Central - Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id="1065570" first="Jaiden" last="Lawrence"] (PH Ranking #60) Coming into the state tournament, Lawrence was the leading scorer for the Dragons. Clearly, teams have been keying on him in the scouting report because he was struggling to find his rhythm throughout the full game. Early fouls also hurt Lawrence in the 1st half but found a solid groove in the 2nd half. He connected on three 3-pointers and clutch free throws. Lawrence finished with 15 points. Warren Central - Sophomore Guard, [player_tooltip player_id="939716" first="Kade" last="Unseld"] (PH Ranking #10) Unseld was itching for scoring opportunities in the first 2 games. He finally got his chance thanks in large part to foul trouble by Glover & Lawrence in the 1st half. Unseld, son of head coach, William Unseld, gave his team a spark off the bench. He finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Covington Catholic - Junior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id="1219719" first="Evan" last="Ipsaro"] (PH Ranking #6) Ipsaro was electric. He attacks the paint in a herky-jerky style that is hard to match up against. His shot selection was much more aggressive than in the previous games and he played as if he was ready for the big moment. Ipsaro put on an offensive clinic in the first half scoring from spot-up shots, to full-speed runners, to offensive rebound putbacks, to fading jump shots. Truly a joy to watch him connecting on so many tough shots. He willed his team to as big as a 9 point lead against the Dragons. Although his scoring slowed down in the 2nd half, he finished with 30 points going perfect from the free-throw line: 9 for 9. Covington Catholic - Senior Forward, [player_tooltip player_id="926898" first="Mitchell" last="Rylee"] (PH Ranking #1) Rylee wasn’t the most dominant scorer in the contest but his skillset is impossible to overlook. Rylee was double-teamed and routinely saw defenders draped around him. He is poised for success at the next level based on his commitment to fundamentals and poise on the court. He has great court awareness and is always a willing passer. Even without the ball in his hands, he is a beast in the paint area and a bear to battle in the post. If nothing else, this is an appreciation entry to one of the more enjoyable performers to watch develop in the state. Rylee finished the game with 4 points and 6 rebounds. Make sure you are following<a href="https://twitter.com/prephoopsky"> @PrepHoopsKY</a> on Twitter for weekly top games & top performers!