Justin Edwards, Reed Sheppard display their potential in matchup of future Wildcats
As the North Laurel boys’ basketball team went back to the basketball court from its locker room on Sunday night inside Freedom Hall, three young boys stood to the side.
The end zone areas here are now spacious, with plenty of open terrain for young children to climb, run around and otherwise expend energy.
These children did plenty of that during the final game of Sunday night’s Scholastic Play by Play Classic — which capped a five-game slate featuring several Kentucky men’s basketball recruits — but the children all stood at attention as North Laurel returned to the floor for its second half against Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia).
The kids lined a downhill ramp as the Jaguars jogged past, one by one, until Reed Sheppard emerged.
Then the children made their move, each extending a hand to get a high-five from Sheppard — and only Sheppard — as the class of 2023 UK basketball signee emerged for the second half.
While the kids were eventually discouraged from using Freedom Hall as their personal playground by security personnel, hopefully they settled down in time to catch the end of a marquee high school basketball matchup that featured two incoming Kentucky Wildcats.
Imhotep defeated North Laurel, 59-54, but the final result was always going to be secondary compared to what Justin Edwards and Sheppard did individually on the court.
The two class of 2023 Kentucky signees demonstrated exactly what got them recruited, and eventually signed, by John Calipari and the Wildcats in front of a crowd that featured more Kentucky apparel than clothing representing either school.
Edwards — the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2023 according to the 247Sports composite — oozed the athleticism and all-around game that has made him a staple atop recruiting rankings.
Sheppard — the No. 29 overall player in the class of 2023 according to the 247Sports composite — excelled as both a facilitator and scorer based on game flow.
His passing was the most promising aspect of his game Sunday night, whether it was driving in the lane and delivering one-armed swing passes to open shooters across the court, or feathery long-distance passes down the court that broke Imhotep’s defensive press.
These performances from future Wildcats came in front of esteemed and expected company: both Calipari and associate coach Orlando Antigua were courtside for the game.
Both Edwards (15 points and 12 rebounds) and Sheppard (14 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds) earned game MVP honors for their respective teams.
While both Edwards and Sheppard were locked into the game with the goal of getting their team a signature win against out-of-state competition, there were also a couple moments that signaled their future roles as teammates.
The postgame handshake lineup featured a hand-slap and hug between the two.
While Sheppard spoke to a gaggle of media members after the game, Edwards loitered in the background with a smile on his face.
Edwards also got a taste of what Sheppard has experienced for most of his high school career: requests for pictures from Wildcat fans young and old.
Kentucky’s class of 2023 recruiting class
For those who have forgotten — or would like to remember — here’s a refresher on UK’s 2023 recruiting class.
The class features four five-star players according the 247Sports Composite: DJ Wagner (No. 1), Justin Edwards (No. 2), Aaron Bradshaw (No. 6) and Robert Dillingham (No. 9).
Reed Sheppard (No. 29) is a four-star recruit.
All of these players signed with Kentucky during the early signing period.
Kentucky has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country for 2023.
