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Following a season in which they graduated four starting seniors, there were questions about George Rogers Clark’s boys basketball team headed into the 2023-24 campaign.

However, five games into the season, the 2022 KHSAA State Champion and 2023 Runner-Up have found some momentum.

On Tuesday, Dec. 12th, the team improved its record to 5-0 following a convincing 83-50 victory over 10th Region foe Harrison County (2-4).

“I thought we did some good things. We were able to increase the tempo at times when we needed,” said GRC head coach Josh Cook. “Overall, we [did] some good things.”

The Cards built a first-quarter lead as both teams battled in a physical contest early.

The Thorobreds, playing without star Kaydon Custard due to a hand injury, kept the score close through the first quarter as a three-point basket at the buzzer by senior Elijah Harris left the Cards just a four-point lead, 22-18, at the end of the opening period.

However, the second quarter would begin to tell a different tale.

The Cards added to their lead after creating a Harrison County turnover on the opening defensive possession.

They carried a 15-point, 43-28 lead into halftime.

Despite scoring 18 points in the opening quarter, Harrison County could only muster 32 for the rest of the game.

Cook stated that heavy defensive pressure made a significant impact.

“[If] we can guard and put [ourselves] in position, it gives us a chance to rebound and run the floor and make an easy play,” he said. “That’s probably our best attribute as a team is [when] we get out in transition and make the easy play.”

GRC saw plenty of action – including rebounding – from senior Breland Morrison.

While one play showed him coming away with a defensive rebound and throwing an outlet pass to fellow senior Reshaun Hampton – who delivered an alley-oop slam dunk to freshman Montez Gay to the excitement of the crowd – Morrison also showed his potential as a scorer by leading the team with 24 points Tuesday night.

“Last game, I had four points. I felt like I was in a slump. I said…’ I [have] got to go out there and [shoot] some today,” said Morrison, who played at Christian County last season. “I [have] got to show GRC I can hoop. I like it here. I feel like home.”

Though the Thorobreds would take action to try to cut into the Cards’ lead – including a 9-0 offensive run in the third quarter – a resurgent offense from GRC proved too much to overcome.

“Our kids competed early in the game,” said Harrison County head coach Terence Brooks. “When we were aggressive, we were getting shots we wanted. When we weren’t aggressive, then we turned the ball over.”

Following the victory, GRC will prepare to play a pair of non-region matchups.

Playing in the Stock Yards Bank & Trust Challenge in Rowan County, the Cards will take on Pike County Central (1-2) and defending 14th Region Champion Breathitt County (3-0). Game times are 9:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15th, and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16th.