‘Revenge’ game shows George Rogers Clark might have grit to defend Boys’ Sweet 16 title
The sequel to George Rogers Clark’s blockbuster Boys’ Sweet 16 basketball championship season hasn’t gone to script, so far.
The Cardinals suffered just one defeat in a 37-1 campaign that culminated in the state title last year.
“GRC 2022-23” already has four losses, including one to 11th Region contender Great Crossing who they battled again on Thursday night.
Clark’s gutty 52-51 home win over the Warhawks signaled these Cardinals (9-4) might still have what it takes for another feel-good classic.
“They beat us earlier in the season and we just wanted to get revenge. That’s all there is to it,” said Clark senior point guard Sam Parrish, who was honored before the game for having topped 1,000 points in his career. He scored 12 points Thursday to go with four assists. “We know what type of team we are. I think we’re still the No. 1 in the state, regardless of losses or whatever. I know, as long as we play hard, we can play with anybody.”
Tied 51-51, Clark’s last possession sent Parrish on a drive to the basket, where he drew a foul with 2.3 seconds left in the game. He made one of his two free throws for the final margin. Great Crossing was left with a desperation heave that sailed over the backboard as time expired.
Thursday’s victory avenged Clark’s 64-62 loss to the Warhawks on Dec. 18 at the King of the Bluegrass tournament, which sent the preseason No. 1 Cardinals tumbling down a number of statewide rankings.
“Once I was asked, ‘What’s the hardest part when you’re winning?’ It’s the noise (from media and social media),” Clark Coach Josh Cook said. “What’s the hardest part when you lose? It’s the noise.”
The Cards shut out the noise and Great Crossing for most of the first quarter Thursday night, jumping to a 14-0 lead before allowing a Warhawks bucket late in the opening frame.
Parrish made two three-pointers in that run, the last set up by back-to-back offensive rebounds by JP Gaines, who started in place of sidelined senior guard Tyleik Maxwell (appendectomy).
“I was just trying to do my job and get the team a win, whatever it took, whether it was boxing out or getting assists,” said Gaines who finished with seven boards.
Great Crossing rallied behind the outstanding play of Jeremiah Godfrey (19 points) and Junius Burrell (18 points) in the second half. The Warhawks tied the game three times in the late-going.
Clark’s Morehead State commit Jerone Morton broke one of the ties with a corner three-pointer to make it 47-44 with three minutes left. Morton put Clark up 51-47 with a drive to the basket a few possessions later. But Great Crossing kept answering. Burrell tied the game at 51 on a difficult drive to the basket with about a minute left.
“It’s a fight. Anytime you put two teams of this type of caliber that believe they can win, you’re going to have a heck of a basketball game,” Cook said. “Once we started to get a little tired, you get a little emotional … It’s hard to keep (Great Crossing) off the glass for 32 minutes with their size and their strength, and we’re still searching for a couple of things on the offensive end.”
Morton finished with a team-high 17 points. Reshaun Hampton added 10 points for the Cards.
Last month, Great Crossing (13-3) rallied from a large second-half deficit against Clark to end the Cardinals’ 37-game win streak and nearly pulled off another comeback Thursday. But Clark held Great Crossing’s leading scorers, Vince Dawson and Malachi Moreno, to just four and five points, respectively. The 6-foot-11 Moreno finished with a game-high 15 rebounds and six blocks.
Despite the loss, Great Crossing Coach Steve Page said he was encouraged by the fight his team showed in a hostile road environment.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my kids after being down 14-0 and then having a chance to win the game late,” Page said. “Jeremiah Godfrey was awesome tonight. … He and Junius got us back in the game. We just couldn’t pull it out late. Give GRC credit.”
This story was originally published January 6, 2023 at 7:51 AM.
