First Round Standouts: State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first round of the KHSAA State Tournament didn't disappoint with a bunch of great games and big time performances. Below were some performances from Wednesday and Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939115"],"_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":"Evans took advantage of displaying his versatility to fans at Rupp Arena who likely got their first chance to watch him. He did just about everything leading them with 21 points going 2 for 2 from 3pt range. He affected the game on both ends blocking shots, getting rebounds and leading the break. It seemed like he was involved in every play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1418231"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Wade played extremely well in their opening game vs Jeffersontown. He consistently pushed the tempo making tough baskets in traffic. Seemed to always pull thru for them when they needed him. He also did a great job taking the pressure off of Johnson as the primary ball handler. Fearless competitor.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["939716"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Unseld was without question the best player on the floor Wednesday dropping in 26 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Pulaski County had no answer for him as he scored in just about every way possible. He showcased his 3pt range knocking down 4 from distance both off the catch and dribble but did a really good job getting to the paint finishing at the rim. One of the better performances in the opening round.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1126635"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Williams had an impressive showing even though they fell to state favorite Warren Central. Williams controlled the game for Pulaski County doing all he could to keep it close. Proved to be a great shooter from distance and strong finisher. Played with an extremely high motor and can tell he is an ultra competitive player. Thought he had a really good performance worth noting.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1089524"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Ashland needed every bit of Carter's performance Wednesday to sneak past Owensboro as he had a double double going for 25 points and 13 rebounds. Carter is a versatile 3 level scoring guard that aggressively looks to score. He was consistently living in the lane and did a great job drawing fouls. He needs to stay hot for Ashland to have a chance.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["932776"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Carbon's performance kept Owensboro in it vs Ashland scoring 22 points. He was a another player that lived in the lane and had no issues getting to his spots. Was at his best in transition making crafty finishes. Carbon was relentless and loved his competitive spirit.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["932772"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Edelen completely controlled Males game vs Breathitt as they looked to be the sleeper team to win it all Saturday. Male was the most talked about team Thursday because of their speed and ability to score with Edelen running the show. He did a good job getting guys involved all while getting his own. There is a very good chance Male is cutting down the nets Saturday night.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["939117"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"I couldn't write this without mentioning the new all-time scoring leader in Kentucky High School history [player_tooltip player_id='939117' first='Travis' last='Perry']. He broke King Kelly Colemans scoring record making a free throw in the second half. Perry had a ton of pressure to break the record at Rupp Arena this week and he got it out of the way in the first game. Now he can relax and look forward to a big game tonight vs defending state champion George Rogers Clark.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1514348"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Busson led a blowout win vs Martin County scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He was extremely physical and high energy which allowed him to get a lot of easy baskets. Although the game wasn't close all game, he continued to compete and really gave Martin County trouble.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["692930"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Morton is no stranger to the state tournament after leading George Rogers Clark last year to a state title and it showed. He was more than comfortable Thursday night pouring in 19 points playing all 36 minutes. This was the best I have seen him shoot going 50% from 3pt range. This opened up the game for him to drive. Huge night for him.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6414848db18f0"} /-->