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During a week when George Rogers Clark basketball fans knew their team would face some tough competition, tension could sometimes be felt throughout the air. 

However, with both teams showing resiliency, positive results were delivered. 

The boys won consecutive games against regional opponents they’d seen in last year’s 10th Region Tournament, while the girls took down a formidable foe in their regular season opener. 

After beginning the season with a victory over Nicholas County, the boys’ basketball team faced an early test with a home game against Campbell County on Thursday, Dec. 4. 

During last year’s 10th Region semifinals, the Camels – en route to their own 10th Region Championship – dethroned the four-time defending 10th Region champion Cards by coming out victorious. 

Through three quarters, it was anyone’s game on Thursday night. 

The Cards held the lead at 46-40, but the Camels were easily within striking distance. 

With efficient and stellar defense, GRC outscored Campbell County 13-2 in the fourth quarter – scoring the final 11 points – and came away with a 59-42 victory. 

“[The] scout team was phenomenal this week. It was a good experience for us early to learn to scout somebody and then really try to work on our defense and be able to guard,” said Boys Basketball Head Coach Josh Cook. “[In] the second half, we were really on defensively.” 

Senior Eli Craig led the Cards with 17 points and connected on a pair of three-point baskets in the first quarter to start the Cards on offense. 

“It was a great game. We all played together real well,” he said. “It’s just [about] making the right play, and the ball [was] in my hands.” 

Two days later, both teams saw the court. 

At the Hoops 4 Harvest tournament at Dixie Heights High School, the Lady Cards took on the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers in their season opener. 

The Lady Pioneers won the 8th Region Championship in 2023 and were a formidable foe last season, demonstrating so by holding the Lady Cards to only a four-point lead at halftime. 

However, the Lady Cards made it a different game in the second half, showing what makes them one of the highest-ranked teams in the state of Kentucky. 

GRC opened the third quarter on an 18-0 run and cruised to a 69-34 victory after outsourcing Simon Kenton 41-10 following halftime. 

“[In the] first half, I thought we came out a little jittery…[At] halftime, [we said] calm down. Take a little breath. Let’s just do what we do,” said Lady Cards Head Coach Robbie Graham. “We came out the second half [and] executed much better. Our defense was a lot crisper, and our rotations were better. We were sharing the ball.” 

With University of Michigan commit Ciara Byars in her final weeks recuperating from a torn ACL suffered last January and a dominant lead in the second half, GRC saw numerous players earn time off the bench. 

Among them was sophomore Kyleigh Stakelin, who finished with five points, four rebounds, and a steal in just over 18 minutes of play. 

“I’m glad to step up in my role, know where I am on the team, [and] get to help out in any way possible,” she said. “We picked it up in the second half. We played good defense [and] ran our offense.” 

Sophomore Kennedy Stamper, already a four-year starter, led the Lady Cards with 17 points. 

“[They were] pressing up,” she said. “I was able to take advantage of where their eyes were looking [and] trying to see where the ball was at.” 

For scoring 16 points and coming up with five rebounds, senior Jailenn Green was named GRC’s Player of the Game. 

Also, the boys were in action on Saturday. 

This time, they headed to Pendleton County, whom they had defeated in the 10th Region quarterfinals last season. 

The Cards jumped out to an early 27-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back – leading by as much as 34 points – en route to a 77-53 victory. 

“Pendleton County did a good job of mixing up some zone [defenses], which was good for us to see to be able to see and try to execute some things,” said Cook. “Defensively, we were solid when we needed to be. [For] the first time on the road, we came out and played pretty well. I’m pleased.” 

Leading the Cards with 17 points – including several dunks – was sophomore Montez Gay. 

“That’s very exciting,” Gay said. “We just want to watch [game] film, and then if something comes up, we’ll be all over it…we just have to stick to our principles.” 

The Cards (3-0) begin the next week of basketball with a home game against Madison Central on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at GRC Arena. 

The Lady Cards (1-0) play their home opener on Thursday, Dec. 12th, at 7:30 p.m. against defending 11th-Region Champion Franklin County.