KHSAA State Sweet 16 ~ Thursday’s Second Session Game Recaps

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Staff was in attendance for the Sweet 16 games hosted at Rupp Arena on the campus of the University of Kentucky. We bring you coverage of the best players from each session.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 11 Champion Frederick Douglass Broncos</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 31-2</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>vs&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 14 Champion Martin County Cardinals</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 24-10</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frederick Douglass- Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1133838' first='Kai' last='Simpson'] (PH Ranking #25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A stud on the football field and the basketball court, Simpson plays the game at his pace. One of his most impressive qualities is court awareness. He is a deliberate ball handler that lets the offense round into form. He is a strong, physical guard that isn't afraid of contact whether he has the ball in his hands or if he is playing tight man-to-man defense. In a game that the Broncos pulled away in the second quarter, Simpson provided 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frederick Douglass- Sophomore Wing, [player_tooltip player_id='1514348' first='Logan' last='Busson'] (PH Ranking #51)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Busson is a scrappy athlete that makes the most of his time on the court. He has spent time in and out of the starting lineup but he remains consistent regardless of his minutes. Busson's versatility is most impactful on the defensive end by routinely defending forwards, wings, guards, and even big centers. Busson capped off a great performance by notching a double-double; 15 points and 10 rebounds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin County- Junior Guard,&nbsp; Brayden McKenzie (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKenzie is a tough-minded guard that doesn't back down from pressure. He spent most of the game fighting off the length of the Frederick Douglass guards but he remained focused and committed. Although the final score didn't go his way, McKenzie was able to put 11 points and grab 4 rebounds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin County - Junior Forward, Jacob Sturgell (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like McKenzie, Sturgell had to battle against the size and length of the Broncos all game long. He had to scratch and claw to earn everything he got. Look for Sturgell to take this experience as motivation to work hard in the offseason to help get the Cardinals back in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 10 Champion George Rogers Clark</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 27-5</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>vs&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 13 Champion North Laurel Jaguars</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 25-10</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark - Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1033474' first='Sam' last='Parrish']&nbsp; (PH Ranking #50)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best things Coach Cook has done with the GRC program has been to develop his players to play within themselves but play with consistency. Parrish continues to evolve his skill and raise the level for the Cardinals. He is a true, bona fide scorer. In a game that was loaded with high-level athletes, Parrish had his imprint on the game from the start. He finished the game with 19 points and 9 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark - Junior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2233289' first='Reshaun' last='Hampton'] (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton is a southpaw long-range sniper that provides floor balance and spacing that is beneficial for everyone. Hampton has become a steady guard for the Cardinals that isn't afraid of taking big shots. He finished this game with 16 points and 6 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Laurel - Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='932765' first='Reed' last='Sheppard'] (PH Ranking #1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone in the building knew Sheppard wanted to have a better showing at the Sweet 16 this year after last year's disappointment… and he started out the game on fire. Those that have followed Sheppard's ascension know that he has built a well-rounded game. He had everything clicking in the first half. Unfortunately, GRC took every punch the Jaguars gave and kept fighting back with more power. Sheppard ended with another early exit from the Sweet 16 but a better individual performance with 23 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Laurel- Sophomore Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1288978' first='Colton' last='Rawlings'] (PH Ranking #52)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rawlings is a guard to watch over the spring/summer season. North Laurel's regular season was arguably the toughest slate in the state so it is no surprise that young players, like Rawlings, have been able to hold their own in a jacked-up environment. He really impressed us in this game, staying engaged and locked in despite battling foul trouble in the first half. Rawlings confidently knocked down two 3-pointers in the second half to help surge the Jaguars for a heroic comeback attempt.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Make sure you are following</strong><a href="https://twitter.com/prephoopsky"><strong> </strong><strong>@PrepHoopsKY</strong></a><strong> on Twitter for weekly top games &amp; top performers!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->