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With the election now complete, many Winchester citizens might start thinking about something else this November. 

Basketball season is just around the corner, and – with George Rogers Clark High School often presenting two highly ranked teams statewide – it’s always a worthy topic of conversation. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, boys basketball head coach Josh Cook spoke to a crowd in front of the Rotary Club of Winchester. 

“Everyone knows him here, and we are so blessed to have him in our community,” said Carson Hunt, President of the Rotary Club of Winchester. “[We’re] excited for the season.” 

Cook, who guided the Cards to four consecutive 10th Region Championships from 2020-23, a state championship in 2022, a runner-up finish in 2023, and more, was joined by two returning athletes. 

One, incoming junior Malachi Ashford, has already seen recruiting interest from schools, including Eastern Kentucky and East Tennessee State University. 

He was a key player on last year’s 10th Region Semifinalist squad. However, a tibial tubercle fracture in the 40th District Championship Game ended his season prematurely. 

Cook spoke highly of Ashford’s resilience. 

“That happened in March. By August, he’s running…jumping…shooting…[and] working this summer,” Cook said. “I think… you’ll see a young man on the floor that is [going to] lead this team because he understands so much more than just basketball.” 

Also present was senior Eli Craig. 

A reserve on the state-championship winning team, Craig has seen increased playing time over the past two seasons. 

“What’s been so great for me to watch [is] Eli…really transform his game,” said Cook. “[He] can be a great teammate…a good defender…[and] take a leadership role.” 

Cook, who lives in Winchester with his wife and daughter and coached in Lawrence County and Mercer County before settling in Clark County, spoke highly of Winchester. 

“Our community has been phenomenal,” he said. “When our kids need something, they’ve just stepped up. My tenure here has just been a blessing.” 

For the 2024-25 season, the Cards face a number of high-quality opponents. 

Among them is Campbell County, who dethroned GRC last season en route to a 10th Region Championship victory in an early test in Winchester on Thursday, Dec. 5th. 

The team is also set to face the defending 16th Region Champion, Ashland Blazer, on January 9th and the defending 11th Region Champion and top preseason favorite, Great Crossing, on February 11th. 

Cooper, Fleming County, Bell County, Lexington Catholic, and Western Hills are among the opponents new to this year’s schedule. 

“It’s a very good schedule, and I think this is going to get us where we need to become postseason,” Cook added. 

Yet the Cards – who will take the court with four seniors and five juniors – are confident in the leadership they’ll provide. 

With six underclassmen on the team, their hope is that the future will continue to look promising. 

“It’s good to set a goal because the most important thing you do is teach kids to chase something together,” Cook said. “We will do that once again.”