Kentucky Sweet 16: Wednesday Evening Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kentucky Sweet 16 brings the regional champions from each of the 16 regions to Rupp Arena for a week filled with intense battles. In this article I'll break down the standout performers from Adair County Vs Marshall County and Great Crossing Vs Spencer County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1292861"],"_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":"A mismatch in the paint against small town teams, Cochran has been a man on a mission these playoffs putting up big time numbers to lead his team to the Elite 8. In the first quarter Cochran hit a trail 3-pointer to give his team an early edge but from the rest of the night he was in attack mode getting downhill. With his ball handling, size and strength, Cochran was tough to stop as a driver or when he got on the block and went to work. Tough to speed Cochran up when he has the ball, outside of one time when he lost it going left, I thought he did an excellent job of beating double teams and playing under control. When Marshall County was trying to use a full court press to get back into the game, Cochran made the right passes across the court to open teammates. I continue to be impressed with Adair County and wouldn't count them out on Friday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1409548"],"_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":"One of the top shooters in the 2026 class from Kentucky, Gilbert hit a couple huge 3-pointers in the first half for Adair County. His team runs good actions to get him open and a 3-pointer from behind the college line off an elevator screen shows the type of shots Gilbert has to be able to take and make at the college level. Gilbert also had a couple leak outs where he got behind the defense for easy transition looks. As Gilbert gets older and matures, I want to see him impact the game without the ball in his hands. If he can take that next step in his development, he'll continue to boost his stock, his shooting ability gives him a role already.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2127277"],"_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":"One of the better freshman I've seen in Kentucky this season, Langhi showed his skill with the ball in his hands and production. Occasionally bring the ball up the floor and attacking closeouts, Langhi can put it on the deck well for a prospect his size and age. I was also impressed with his patience as an attacker, throwing pump fakes and pivots to get space to shoot. Attempting a 3-pointer that was long, I was encouraged that he was confident enough to attempt that shot after making a couple mid-range looks earlier in the game. I think down the road Langhi has a lot of upside, curious to see if he can continue this rate of improvement as he ends his freshman season with a lot of momentum despite playing through a late season injury.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1208167"],"_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":"On a team loaded with talent including a pair of Juniors with Division I offers, I've always been impressed with what Richardson brings to the table. An efficient player, his 4/6 shooting from the floor won't stand out on the box score but Richardson made timely shots and was smart about the looks he attempted. Also, Richardson makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, three assists to no turnovers. A guy who throws pump fakes against the zone and gets the ball inside to the 7 footer, basketball doesn't have to be hard and Richardson does the little things exceptionally.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1320254"],"_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":"One of the more athletic seniors in the state, Godfrey threw down multiple alley-oop slams that got the Great Crossing faithful going crazy. Can also get on the rim from the dunker spot, Godfrey had one impressed left-handed dunk and was fouled on another dunk attempt with his left. While he provides vertical spacing with his athleticism and as a lob threat, where Godfrey makes his biggest impact is defensively. At his height, Godfrey has excellent feet to guard on the perimeter and bother high volume guards who can't blow by him off the bounce. Rare to see a kid with his length and height be able to stay with players from the volleyball line and in but Godfrey has done it multiple times this post-season run. He'll have more tough assignments thrown his way as the tournament continues and I have no reason to believe he won't be ready for the next challenge.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1363685"],"_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":"Spencer County played with a ton of confidence and had a 44-37 lead in the third quarter thanks to the belief Cox gave his team. The emotional leader of Spencer County, Cox and a frenzied student section had Rupp Arena believing in a potential gigantic upset. With the ability to shoot from 30 feet and in, Cox gave the Great Crossing defense fits with his pull-up ability. He also created a lot of open 3-point looks for his teammates with six assists and his teammates shot the ball with confidence from the outside. A player who fits the type of culture Casey Kaufman is building at Ohio Dominican, I expect Cox to have a great career in the GMAC.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc4ff5d21d6"} /-->