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With “Meet the Cards” Night and the preseason having taken place, George Rogers Clark High School basketball fans are ready for the time of year that brings the high-flying Cards to the hardwood floor. 

On the night of Monday, Dec. 2, they wouldn’t be disappointed. 

In both the home and season opener, the Cards (1-0) pulled away in the second half to win convincingly 89-67 over Nicholas County (0-1). 

“It was a great atmosphere for a home opener…people seemed excited to see basketball again,” he said. “I thought our guys played hard. Overall, [I’m] pleased. We got a chance to play a lot of guys.” 

Junior guard Malachi Ashford and sophomore Montex Gay returned to the Cards’ starting lineup, while juniors Amari Bartelson, Sam Spillman, and senior Eli Craig were also featured. 

The Cards were led early on by Ashford – whose season ended last year in the 40th District Championship Game with a tibial tubercule fracture. 

Ashford, who finished the night leading GRC with 27 points, scored 18 in the first half. 

“He can play… He’s trying to lock in mentally right now…and ensure that he benefits the team and leads his team,” Cook said. “He found [teammates]. [Those] guys got hot and made shots.” 

Also in double figures for GRC was Montez Gay with 12 points and Conner Morguson – previously with Powell County – scoring 11, all in the second half. 

However, led by 17 points from senior Maddox Donovan and 16 points from freshman Peyton Hatton, the Blue Jackets kept within striking distance and trailed 46-36 heading into the halftime locker room. 

Yet that would change in the third quarter. 

With a burst of offensive explosion and stellar defense coming out of halftime, the Cards outscored Nicholas County 25-12 in the third period to take a 23-point lead by the end of the quarter. 

“It’s just about being disciplined on defense. You can try too hard and get yourself out of position. We try to focus on team defense and doing roles,” Cook added. “Once we [settled] down and we played mostly half-court [man-to-man] in the third quarter…it [was] able to open up the running game. We were able to get stops, push in transition, and get some easy shots.” 

With the Cards able to rest their starters for much of the fourth quarter, nine different players managed to find the scoreboard. 

Next, the Cards are scheduled to play Campbell County on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at GRC Arena. 

The early season matchup is a potential preview of the 10th Region competition. 

While the Cards knocked off Campbell County in the regular season opener last season, the Camels avenged their loss with a defeat of the Cards that ended last year’s season.