History has been made in the great city of Winchester. GRC has become the first team since 1928 to bring home both the Girls and Boys State Basketball Championships. The month of March is familiar with madness in the basketball world, but often for college sports. However, not this year. To think that our girls secured their first ever championship was incredible. But to be followed up the week after by another state championship for the boys is a storybook ending.
For GRC Hoops, their road to the chip started against North Laurel, and safe to say it was as tough of a first round match up as the come. Senior guard Teigh Yeast’s grit and resilience down the stretch of the game on both ends of the floor allowed GRC to get by with a hard, gritty win, 55-46.
Against Franklin-Simpson, GRC posted four different double digit scorers, led by Yeast’s 19 points. On top of that, as a team, the girls shot over 50% from the field, just shy of 50% from three, and 100% from the line. Paired with the relentless defensive pressure put on all game, Franklin-Simpson didn’t stand a chance, falling 69-34.
The following game wasn’t much different. Once again, GRC had four double digit scorers, this time led by Kennedy Stamper’s 18 points. The Lady Cards had their foot on the gas from the jump and never let off, pressing, playing scrappy defense start to finish. Hoops ultimately took the win, 66-40.
Lastly, the Championship match up of GRC vs. Assumption was what most had foreseen.
Both GRC and Assumption struggled to shoot beyond the arc, as only one three was made the entire game.
Additionally, both teams liked to get up and guard, get out and play fast. Ultimately it came down to GRC slowing Assumption’s star down in the second half, taking care of the ball down the stretch of the game, and making free throws in the 4th when they mattered.
GRC had three double digit scorers, this time led by 8th grader Eliyah Strode who posted a dominant 17 points and nine rebounds, on an efficient 63% shooting. Through GRC’s Hoops resilient fight and teamwork they deserved every bit of Clark County’s first ever girls state
championship.
A week later, WinCity’s run started against Johnson Central. Early on, GRC’s struggle to shoot the three found them going into halftime down. However, that was short lived. In the second half not only did GRC find better looks and hit them, their amped up defensive pressure became too much for Johnson Central as they could not keep up. Amari Bartletson and Montez Gay led the way with 18 and 15, as they both hung up 11 rebounds a piece to allow GRC to comfortably win 75-60.
In the second round, GRC faced off against Marshall County in a much closer game. Every time GRC went on a little run in the 4th, Marshall County would stick around as our boys really struggled from the line shooting just 50% from the line on 28 attempts. Nonetheless, with four of the five starters posting double digits, and Amari Bartleston putting up another double-double, it allowed GRC to escape with the 63-59 victory.
Next up was North Oldham, led by 8th grade phenom and son of NBA legend Rajon Rondo. His son, Pierre led all scorers with 22 points, but despite his great game, he was left to dry, as no one else could really seem to get it going offensively.
For GRC, they did a great job of running their sets, and getting good, high-percentage looks all game long. They displayed great team work and were very unselfish, as no one person really carried the load. However, Bartleston went on to put up his third consecutive double-double of the tournament. GRC would go on to win 53-45.
In the end, GRC would face off against Louisville powerhouse, the Saint X Tigers. The first half was as back and forth as they come with only a possession or two ball game the whole time. Junior Jamylyn Johnson was getting to it, getting to the basket with ease as he kept us within reach. Saint X’s quickness, and athletic ability was what put them on notice all year long. However, GRC’s defensive scheme was on point, as two of Saint X’s best players were held to single digits in the end. It was Saint X’s defensive pressure that kept them in the game.
The second half was practically the same as four quarters weren’t enough to put one team or the other on top. The game went into overtime, where senior floor general Malachi Ashford could not have stepped up at a better time. Despite struggling from the line all tournament long, in overtime he only missed one free throw. All 14 of GRC’s overtime points came from the line. Johnson shot a perfect 100%, and the team shot 20/22 from the line on the game. In the end, Ashford finished with 18 points, 11 of those being some of the clutchest free throws of his life. That allowed him to take home the MVP, and allowed our guys to bring home the state title.
What a great time to be a Clark County Cardinal!
