7th Region Tournament Performances that Deserve More Attention

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few teams had as brutal a path to the UK Healthcare Boys Basketball Sweet 16 as those laid before 7th Region teams. Ultimately, St. Xavier prevailed in punching its ticket and took down some of the toughest competition along the way. Let's revisit some of the top individual performances that might've got buried in the postseason hype.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2429605"],"_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-69b4ed86bce2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan is a bit of an outlier on this list given that he walked away with the Prime Hydration Player of the Game honor, but the manner in which he played deserves to be a topic of conversation. Known for his toughness and athleticism as a rim protector and an above-the-rim threat on offense, he brought all of that plus some in the title game. Most notably, he connected on 2/3 3PT attempts to finish with 17 PTS and a game-high 9 REB. Already one of the top prospects in KY, becoming a reliable outside threat could be the catalyst that pushes him into more national conversations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3246471"],"_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-69b4ed86bcebf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">St.X's roster has more than a handful of college prospects, to say the least, causing Klein's name to sometimes slip through the cracks. Lack of conversation, however, doesn't define his level of contribution to the Tigers. Rightfully known for his shooting abilities, he's treaded the 50/40/90 club all season long. His reliability as a playmaker and his high defensive IQ, however, are two areas of his game that deserve to be spoken more about. Connor showcased the wide spectrum of his two-way skillset throughout the tournament en route to a Sweet 16 bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1359140"],"_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-69b4ed86bcf33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cole led the Bruins to the 7th Region title game and finished with one of the best resumes in KHSAA basketball history. He put on a scoring masterclass in Ballard's semifinal matchup, pouring in 15 of his 18 points in the third quarter alone. Whether he was knocking down step back 3PT field goals or wiggling his way to the basket for crafty finishes, Cole literally couldn't be stopped. We all know that basketball is a team sport, but this performance looked like a one man show for a second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2459420"],"_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-69b4ed86bcf9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Qyntin filled big shoes for a Ballard squad that essentially replaced a majority of its production from last season. Although only a freshman, he proved to be ready for the moment and ended the season as one of the best long-distance shooters in the entire state. It was his go-ahead layup that allowed Ballard to prevail in overtime past a tight quarterfinal matchup and eventually reach the region title game. Woods was a double-digit scorer for the Bruins throughout the tournament as well as a key contributor on the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3515276"],"_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-69b4ed86bd071"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Of all the athletes that played multiple games in the 7th Region tournament, Johnson was probably the most consistent and the most impactful. He put up a loud 24 PPG and 7.5 RPG to lead Trinity to the semifinals before falling to the eventual champion. Despite the loss, he proved why he's one of the top prospects in the state and across the nation. His ability to knock down tough shots consistently down the stretch kept the game close through the first three quarters of regulation. Arguably the most impressive of his output was the legit range he showcased from long distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-69b4ed86bd00a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite the early exit, Mitchell easily had the best individual offensive performance in the 7th Region tournament. Male's quarterfinal battle versus Ballard might go down in the history books as one of the best of all time between the two rivals and Mitchell showcased his full range of abilities throughout the contest. Playing at an elite pace and scoring on all three levels, he finished with 41 PTS and 5 ASTS, seeming virtually unstoppable at times. An absolute monster final performance of the season for the 7th Region's leading scorer and one of the top sophomores in the nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->