The 2021 Sweet 16® tips off Wednesday at 11:00 am when 14th Region Champion Knott County Central squares off with Elizabethtown, who claimed the 5th Region crown for a second year in a row.

The Panthers enter the final week of high school action in the Bluegrass having lost just a pair of games for the season.  Coach James Haire brings an experienced squad to Rupp Arena, with five seniors all averaging double-figures, led by 5th Region Player of the Year Jaquais Franklin (20 ppg).

Opposite E-Town is Coach BB King and Knott County Central.  The Patriots last played in Rupp during Cam Justice/Evan Hall days (2015).  KCC is also an experienced bunch, led by a trio of seniors who average double-digits, paced by Colby Napier's 21 ppg.  

Who wins this opening contest?  Pats or Panthers?

I've got E-Town by 15.

Etown by 20+

Knott County Central starters:

Kent Damron
Colby Napier
Scott Shepherd
Josh McGuire
Kizer Slone

Elizabethtown starters:

Jacquais Franklin
Camden Williams
Alandre Murphy
Kam Sherrard
Khia Sherrard

Live stats link:

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=343751

Nine out of the ten starters are seniors.  KCC's Kizer Slone, a sophomore, is the lone exception.

Josh McGuire gets the scoring started.

2-0 KCC.

Jaquais Franklin 3.

3-2 E'Town.

Camden Williams 3.

6-2 E'Town.

Kizer Slone tip-in.

6-4 E'Town; 5:50 1Q.

Colby Napier from 15.

6 all.

Josh McGuire rebound & putback.

8-6 KCC.

Jaquais Franklin answers.

8-8.

Khia Sherrard 3.

11-8 E'town; 4:18 1Q.

Jaquais Franklin with his second triple.

14-8 E'Town.

E'Town has scored 8 straight since KCC took a brief 8-6 lead.