KHSAA State Sweet 16 ~ Wednesday’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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 4 Champion Warren Central Dragons</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 32-1</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>vs&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 12 Champion Pulaski County&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 27-6</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warren Central - Junior Wing, [player_tooltip player_id='939716' first='Kade' last='Unseld'] (PH Ranking #4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By himself, Unseld blew this game wide open from the starting whistle. He had 10 points early and poured in 19 in the first half alone. He scored the nets from deep and ended the game by knocking down four 3-pointers. Unseld plays at his pace and uses his size and length to stay on balance. Unseld finished as the game's leading scorer with 26 total points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warren Central - Senior Guard, Izayiah Villafuerte (Unranked in PH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Subjectively, Villafuerte is such a great lead guard. He does so many things well, you come to take it for granted. He routinely uses the middle of the floor, drives the ball in the paint, makes crisp passes, and best of all, and rarely makes poor decisions. He should be the focus of your scouting report. Objectively, his stats won't blow you away. But, without his consistent play and leadership on both sides of the ball, Warren Central wouldn't be the same team. Villafuerte finished with 8 points and 4 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pulaski County - Senior Wing, [player_tooltip player_id='1126635' first='Barek' last='Williams'] (PH Ranking #123)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams carried the Maroons offensively by pouring in 19 total points. In a game that was lopsided early, Williams maintained the balance and poise you would expect from a senior leader. He showed that he can be a knockdown shooter and has the tools to advance past his defender off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 3 Champion Owensboro Red Devils</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 19-10</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>vs&nbsp;</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Region 16 Champion Ashland Blazer Tomcats</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><em>Regular &amp; postseason record: 23-11</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owensboro - Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='932776' first='Kenyata' last='Carbon'] (PH Ranking #52)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carbon is a versatile guard that made athletic plays all over the court. He was always moving around with or without the ball. Through his constant effort and energy, he found the ball more often than most. He did everything his team needed. Carbon finished the game with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owensboro - Freshman Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1359130' first='Jonathan' last='Moss'] (PH Ranking #36)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moss is a freshman but played anything like one on Wednesday. He plays with moxie and poise which was extremely impressive. Say what you want about the analytics and metrics but Moss was the only starter that had an overall positive rating in the plus/minus category. Moss finished the game with 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland Blazer - Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1497249' first='Rheyce' last='DeBoard'] (PH Ranking #149)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deboard is an outstanding lead guard that has high-level playmaking ability. He is an extremely skilled and fundamental player. He maintains tremendous balance as a ball handler by keeping the ball low and close to his body. He never appears flustered or shaken. He forces the issue by attacking the paint and he has the skill to stop on a dime and pop a high-percentage jump shot. Deboard finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland Blazer - Sophomore Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1089524' first='Zander' last='Carter'] (PH Ranking #7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter is a tall, physical guard that commands your attention. He shoots the ball with confidence and drives the paint with purpose. He is a determined two-way player that can guard any player on the court. Carter played a marvelous game finishing with 25 points and snatching 13 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><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 -->