Underclassmen that Showed Heart in Regional Play

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The UK Healthcare Boys Basketball Sweet 16 field is set and features some of the top young talent in the state. Before we look too far ahead, lets revisit some of the best underclassmen performers from regional play in the 6th and 7th Regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2851890"],"_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-69b4ed6e4e3c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When it comes to toughness, Mack stands tall with the best of them as shown by the key defensive tasks he was assigned throughout the season. Eastern needed much more from him down the stretch, however, and he delivered more often than not. The freshman guard put up 12 PTS on 4/6 shooting from the field in Eastern's quarterfinal heartbreak, including connecting on both of his 3PT attempts. In addition to his scoring contributions in tournament play, he handled facilitation duties with poise in a high-stakes environment. Mack and [player_tooltip player_id='2395554' first='James' last='Nikolovski'] should be a duo to watch for next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2395554"],"_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-69b4ed6e4e440"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Up to 6'5" now, Nikolovski could be on the cusp of a breakout campaign next year. He passes the "looks test" with an advanced enough skillset and the physical tools to compete with the best of KY's sophomore class. His growth as a playmaker and facilitator could be what's needed to mark his transition from a role player to a key contributor for the Eagles. He flashed his potential on several occasions throughout the season, including when it mattered most – finishing with 10 PTS and 5 REB in the 7th Region quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3250729"],"_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-69b4ed6e4e48e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason will enter his freshman season next year as one of KY's most experienced 2030 athletes. His mature output in the 7th Region quarterfinals wasn't reflective of his age. Mason was the second-leading scorer for the Bulldogs (13 PTS) in the decisive matchup in addition to securing a team-high 7 REB. With guts of steel, he gave Male a shot at the win by nailing a 3PT FG to tie the game with less than twenty seconds left in overtime. Much respect to the young prospect who seems to have a big future ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"El Livingstone","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"W.E.B DuBois","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2478682' first='Kentucky' last='Ambition']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b4ed6e4e569"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Of all the players on this list, Livingstone might've imposed his will during regional play in the most dominating fashion. Despite having yet to enroll in high school, El has the physical attributes to measure up with players years his elder. He played big minutes down the stretch for a relatively inexperienced DuBois squad that reached the 6th Region semifinals. His thunderous 15 PT, 10 REB double-double in the quarterfinals was one of his most notable games of the entire season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2972970"],"_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-69b4ed6e4e5b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">CJ stands as the lone underclassmen voted 1st Team All-6th Region per the Courier Journal – a feat that speaks for itself. To put it plainly, the kid can put the ball in the bucket. His scoring helped lead Moore to its second straight 23rd District championship before falling short in the 6th Region quarterfinal matchup. Despite the loss, CJ showcased a little of what KY basketball can expect from him for the next three years. Several reports indicate that he played with the flu in the contest, but the freshman guard still finished with 22 PTS and 4 REB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2789027"],"_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-69b4ed6e4e5ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kearney is a certified 3PT specialist as indicated by the 3.7 3PT FG he made per game throughout the season which ranks Top 10 in all of KY. His high-volume shot selection from long range isn't ill-advised either given that he connected on over 41% of his attempts. Again, certified. Not all underclassmen perform at their best under the bright lights of tournament play but Kearney managed to knock down 3/6 attempts from long range. A little sneak peak of what the 6th Region can expect next season from the flamethrower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2527240"],"_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-69b4ed6e4e62a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freeman appeared to be 6'6" at minimum and maybe longer in the 7th Region tournament. The sophomore wing didn't play a huge role for the Colts this year, probably adjusting to the increased speed of the game and the seniority of tenured players as most underclassmen do. His potential, however, is very high with his size and instincts. He was perfect from the field in DeSales' quarterfinal matchup in addition to knocking down 3/4 FT attempts to finish with 11 PTS and 5 REB. Expect Micah to be a significant two-way threat for the Colts next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->