Sweet 16 Preview ~ Thursday’s Matchups

Sweet 16 Matchup Preview. A brief overview of each team and top performers. It is the final chance to scout high school players before transitioning to the travel season. Prep Hoops staff will be locked in to every game.

Below is a spotlight of Thursday’s four opening round match-ups: 

11:00am

Male (25-10)

Cantrall’s Rating: 83.7

State RPI #30 .618

7th Region Champion

26th District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Louisville Collegiate, St. Xavier, Atherton, Ballard, Trinity

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 2022

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Jack Edelen Jack Edelen 5'11" | PG Male | 2023 State KY (Senior), Meechie White Meechie White 6'3" | CG Male | 2023 State KY (Senior), Max Gainey Max Gainey 5'11" | PG Male | 2024 State KY (Junior), Cornelius Barnett Jr Cornelius Barnett Jr 5'10" | PG Louisville Male | 2026 State KY (Freshman), Cole Edelen Cole Edelen 6'2" | PG Male | 2026 State KY (Freshman)

Breathitt County (18-9)

Cantrall’s Rating: 68.5

State RPI #60 .585

14th Region Champion

55th District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Wolfe County, Knott County Central, Hazard, Perry County Central

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 1996

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Christian Collins Christian Collins 6'8" | PF Breathitt County | 2023 State KY (Senior), Bryce Hoskins Bryce Hoskins 6'5" | SF Breathitt County | 2023 State KY (Senior), Austin Sperry Austin Sperry 6'3" | SG Breathitt County | 2025 State KY (Sophomore)

1:30pm

Lyon County (30-5)

Cantrall’s Rating: 78.7

State RPI #11 .665

2nd Region Champion

7th District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Livingston Central, Trigg County, Hopkins County Central, Christian County, Hopkinsville

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 2022

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Bradin Nelson Bradin Nelson 6'3" | PG Lyon County | 2023 State KY (Senior), Travis Perry Travis Perry 6'2" | PG Lyon County | 2024 State #79 Nation KY (Junior), Jack Reddick Jack Reddick 6'4" | PG Lyon County | 2024 State KY (Junior), Brady Shoulders Brady Shoulders 6'6" | PF Lyon County | 2024 State KY (Junior), Bray Kirk Bray Kirk 6'1" | SG Lyon County | 2026 State KY (Freshman), 

Newport (28-6)

Cantrall’s Rating: 76.3

State RPI #37 .610

9th Region Champion

36th District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Bellevue, Highlands, Beechwood, Lloyd Memorial, Cooper

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 2010

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Marquez Miller Marquez Miller 6'6" | SF Newport | 2023 State KY (Senior), Jabari Covington Jabari Covington 6'1" | PG Newport | 2024 State KY (Junior), Noah Silverton Noah Silverton 6'1" | SG Newport | 2025 State KY (Sophomore), Taylen Kinney Taylen Kinney 6'1" | PG Newport | 2026 State KY (Freshman), James Turner James Turner 6'6" | PF Newport | 2026 State KY (Freshman)

6:00pm

Frederick Douglass (31-2)

Cantrall’s Rating: 82.4

State RPI #7 .672

11th Region Champion

42nd District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Bryan Station, Scott County, Lexington Christian, Madison Central, Lexington Catholic

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: First appearance

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Kai Simpson Kai Simpson 6'3" | PG Frederick Douglass | 2023 State KY (Senior), Tylon Webb Tylon Webb 6'3" | CG Frederick Douglass | 2023 State KY (Senior), Ryan Carter Ryan Carter 6'3" | SF Frederick Douglass | 2023 State KY (Senior), Armelo Boone Armelo Boone 6'3" | SG Frederick Douglass | 2025 State KY (Sophomore), Aveion Chenault Aveion Chenault 6'3" | SG Frederick Douglass | 2025 State KY (Sophomore), Logan Busson Logan Busson 6'2" | SF Frederick Douglass | 2025 State KY (Sophomore), Chris Wright Chris Wright 5'3" | PG Frederick Douglass | 2025 KY (Sophomore), Josiah Lemond Josiah Lemond 5'10" | PG Frederick Douglass | 2025 State KY (Sophomore), Trae Cayson Trae Cayson 6'1" | SG Frederick Douglass | 2026 State KY (Freshman)

Martin County (24-10)

Cantrall’s Rating: 63.4

State RPI #54 .595

15th Region Champion

57th District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Johnson Central, Paintsville, Shelby Valley, Lawrence County, Pikeville

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 2020 (Covid-19 cancelled the tournament)

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Luke Hale Luke Hale 6'0" | PG Martin County | 2024 State KY (Junior)

8:30pm

George Rogers Clark (27-5)

Cantrall’s Rating: 83.9

State RPI #15 .657

10th Region Champion

40th District Champion

2023 Postseason Victories vs Bourbon County, Paris, Augusta, Harrison County, Mason County

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 2022 Champion

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Jerone Morton Jerone Morton 6'3" | SG George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY (Senior), Trent Edwards Trent Edwards 6'8" | PF George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY (Senior), Sam Parrish Sam Parrish 6'0" | PG George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY (Senior), Tyleik Maxwell Tyleik Maxwell 6'3" | SG George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY (Senior), Eli Craig Eli Craig 6'0" | SG George Rogers Clark | 2025 State KY (Sophomore)

North Laurel (25-10)

Cantrall’s Rating: 84.7

State RPI #32 .612

16th Region Champion

64th District Runner-Up

2023 Postseason Victories vs Oneida Baptist Institute, Clay County, Harlan, South Laurel, Corbin

Previous Sweet 16 Appearance: 2022

Ranked Prep Hoops Players: Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard 6'3" | PG North Laurel | 2023 State #22 Nation KY (Senior), Ryan Davidson Ryan Davidson 6'4" | SF North Laurel | 2023 State KY (Senior), Gavin Chadwell Gavin Chadwell 6'5" | C North Laurel | 2024 State KY (Junior), Colton Rawlings Colton Rawlings 6'2" | CG North Laurel | 2025 State KY (Sophomore), Jordan Rawlings Jordan Rawlings 6'3" | SG North Laurel | 2026 State KY (Freshman), Reece Davidson Reece Davidson 6'7" | PF North Laurel | 2026 State KY (Freshman)

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