KOB: Friday Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The King of the Bluegrass tournament brought 14 of the best teams from Kentucky into a bracket style tournament for a weekend full of exciting action at Fairdale High School in Louisville, in this article I'll break down my top performers from Friday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2439209"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946fda3c2f2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What I love about Mitchell is that no matter the opponent or situation, he's going to play hard and attack the rim. He did that at will on Friday afternoon as the Male sophomore guard continued his superb season. I also was really impressed with Mitchell's ability to score off cuts, playing well off fellow 2028 stud [player_tooltip player_id='2360949' first='Trey' last='Hillerich']. A breakaway slam dunk was the icing on the cake for Male as they cruised past their opening round out of state opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1575699"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946fda3c2fa7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's not often you see a player go 10/11 from the floor scoring 26 points in the first half, but that's what McGillis did in Covington Catholic's 95-50 opening round victory. McGillis is extremely skilled as he can change hands, speed and direction on the ball in an instant, splitting traps from all areas of the court. His shooting range has extended even further with multiple 3-pointers from NBA range. A Mr basketball candidate, McGillis is arguably the most skilled player in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2828341"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946fda3c2ffa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I knew Myrick was an elite shooter and he was making it rain from downtown on Friday evening for the Colonels. What really stood out to me though was how hard Myrick played in the full court press, getting four steals in the first half alone. Another aspect of his game that's much improved from when I last saw him in the summer is Myrick's passing ability. Myrick was unselfish and making quick advances up the court to teammates and had six assists in the first half alone. That quick processing and unselfishness is how Covington Catholic can score 95 points and run teams out the gym on a consistent basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543594"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946fda3c3047"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Willing his team to a first round victory, Surratt is a flat out competitor on the court. Making a huge impact on both ends of the floor, it was fitting that the game ended on a Surratt steal when Louisville Butler was attempting to tie the game. Making numerous strong drive and finishes, I was impressed by Surratt's footwork as a slasher on Friday night. One of the top players on one of the top teams in Kentucky, Surratt is one of my favorite players in the state to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875980"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946fda3c3092"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Louisville Butler did not flinch once against one of the best teams in the state and played this game tight to the final buzzer. I was really impressed with Wilkins as a floor spacing forward who played with a lot of confidence. Able to move around the perimeter to space the floor, having a guy like Wilkins allows so much more space for the Butler guards to dribble drive into the paint. Wilkins also had a couple strong rebounds to help his team get extra possessions offensively and finish defensive stops. Hoping to see Wilkins continue to add confidence and play strong with the ball in his hands the next time I get to watch him play, he played like one of the best 2027 forwards in Louisville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558733"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946fda3c30dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a slow start for his standards to his senior season, Davidson was absolutely dominant in a 36 point victory over Lyon County. I was really impressed with Davidson's floor spacing ability, knocking down shots with confidence and running off a couple screens. North Laurel has a big, strong and physical team which has forced Davidson to develop his perimeter game to space the floor in the half-court. After settling for a lot of jumpers in the first half, I was encouraged by a couple strong finishes in the second half where Davidson went right through a defenders chest to score. Those types of plays are what I remember most from his dominant week at Rupp last season and need to see more of as he works his way back to 100% from an injury that held him out of summer basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->