KHSAA State Sweet 16 ~ Wednesday’s First 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 6 Champion Jeffersontown Chargers&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 17-12</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>vs&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 8 Champion Woodford County Yellow Jackets</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 20-12</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffersontown - Senior Guard, Rhys Taylor (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor is a physical, slashing wing that plays hard on both ends of the court. He started the second half by scoring 6 straight points. In limited minutes, Taylor was the second-leading scorer on the team with 11 total points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffersontown - Sophomore Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1221420' first='Brandon' last='Gatewood'] (PH Ranking #127)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gatewood is the primary ball-handler and playmaker for Coach Duncan's team. He is a downhill driver that puts immense pressure on the defense. Gatewood uses his athleticism and general knack for the ball to earn deflections and steals that lead his team to transition opportunities. Another tremendous asset for the Chargers is his rebounding effort. Gatewood ended the game with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffersontown - Sophomore Wing, Camron McDaniels (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDaniels is a tough, versatile wing that can do a little bit of everything. He really started inserting himself in the second half. McDaniels had success initiating offense that lead to him finding rhythm within the game. This would bode crucial for the Chargers as McDaniels rose to the occasion and knocked down two clutch 3-pointers to send the game into overtime. McDaniels ended the game with 13 points and 3 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford County - Sophomore Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1418231' first='Santonio' last='Waide'] (PH Ranking #37)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waide is a confident scorer that plays well off the ball. His high basketball IQ gives his team another offensive weapon to keep the ball moving and generate open shots for teammates. Waide is a hard-nosed athlete that never shies away from traffic. In a tournament loaded with guards, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better duo than Waide &amp; Johnson. Waide notched 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford County - Senior Wing, Aden Nelson (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson, a West Virginia Football signee, impacts the game in a variety of ways. He is the type of player that has a magnet for the ball. Despite being listed as a forward, he lead the Yellow Jackets in assists with 5. He showcased his athleticism with multiple, smooth drives to the basket; including absorbing contact and finishing in the paint. Nelson added 11 points and 7 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford County- Sophomore Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1110315' first='Jasper' last='Johnson'] (PH Ranking #1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson's size and athleticism make him a tough matchup for any opponent. Despite a previous possession, Johnson is always one WOW play away. In a helter-skelter game that saw 15 lead changes and 13 ties, Johnson was the hero in overtime knocking down the go-ahead 3-pointer to seal the victory for the Yellow Jackets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 5 Champion Elizabethtown Panthers</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 23-8</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>vs&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 1 Champion McCracken County Mustangs</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 29-5</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabethtown - Junior Forward, [player_tooltip player_id='939115' first='Ayden' last='Evans'] (PH Ranking #6)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans was the best player on the floor and the stat sheet affirmed it. He got credited for 7 blocks but probably altered at least 10 more. He put on an offensive show in the first quarter scoring 10 total points including both of his 3-pointers. Once McCracken County adjusted, Evans stayed engaged and impacted the game in other areas. Evans is one of the more physically gifted players in the state. He finished with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 7 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCraken County - Senior Wing, [player_tooltip player_id='932794' first='Jack' last='McCune'] (PH Ranking #32)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCune was a beast all game. His size and athleticism were on full display throughout the contest. He was active on the offensive end, initiating the offense and scoring in a variety of ways. Defensively, he was battling and hustling to keep Evans in check. McCune finished the game with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 assists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCraken County - Senior Forward, [player_tooltip player_id='926915' first='Ian' last='Hart'] (PH Ranking #41)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hart is a physical player that earns everything he gets. His effort was constantly on display and he is the type of player every coach wants on the floor. He battles hard for rebounds and loose balls. He has a great shooting touch from the perimeter despite doing most of his scoring in the paint area. Hart finished with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. </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> @PrepHoopsKY</strong></a><strong> on Twitter for weekly top games &amp; top performers!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->