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The 10th Region Boys Basketball Tournament begins Monday, March 10, to decide who will play in the 2025 KHSAA UK Healthcare Boys Basketball Sweet 16 Tournament beginning Wednesday, March 26.

Below is a Part 1 of a preview series for various teams.

GRC:

Entering the 2024-25 10th Region Tournament, the George Rogers Clark Cardinals are considered one of the top favorites along with a few other teams. 

Season Review 

The Cards (25-5) have played against some of the state’s toughest competition. After winning their first eight contests, they ran into a hiccup when they lost two of three games in the White, Greer, & Maggard Holiday Classic in December – though the game they won came against defending 7th Region Champion Trinity. Returning to their winning ways, the Cards have seen victories over the likes of Campbell County, Cooper, Lexington Catholic, and Mercer County. Of their five losses, five have come by five points or less, including a 60-55 loss to Montgomery County in the 40th District Championship Game. 

Players to Watch 

Top players for the Cards include a pair of Eastern Kentucky recruits in junior point guard Malachi Ashford – who enters the Region Tournament after missing last year due to injury – and sophomore forward Montez Gay. Eli Craig, the lone senior in the Cards’ starting lineup, is a consistent threat from behind the three-point line as is 8th grader Conner Morguson – who will likely gain valuable playing time off the bench. Power forwards Amari Bartelson and Maddox Hager are consistent threats in the post area, with Hager’s scoring ability having catapulted him to the starting lineup after starting the year on the bench following a transfer from Boyle County. Sam Spillman and Jamylyn Johnson, while providing stellar offense, will be called upon to facilitate both offensive and defensive play. 

Outlook 

The Cards have been consistently ranked in the top 25 for years, though they suffered their first district championship loss of the last eight years when they took on Montgomery County. However, they’ll still be considered a top threat. An early challenge will be provided when they face Campbell County in the 10th Region quarterfinals on March 11. If they win, they’ll play the winner of a contest between Nicholas County and Augusta. A Nicholas County matchup could be interesting, as the Blue Jackets have previously led the state in rebounding and will undoubtedly play physically tough. However, Augusta – who shocked Mason County in the regular season before losing to them in the District Championship – is not to be overlooked. Should the Cards return to the 10th Region Championship, it will no doubt be a toss-up as to who heads to Rupp.

Montgomery County:

Could the host Indians take home the most prized possession on their own court? 

Season Review

The Indians started the year with some tough news and tough losses. After learning that senior guard Cayden Reed wouldn’t be eligible until January, they started the year 0-3 – including a tough one-point loss at Powell County. However, signs of life were evident in some of those losses, such as an overtime loss to South Laurel that nearly resulted in an improbable comeback. Beginning with a 53-52 road victory over defending 10th Region Champion Campbell County and since Reed’s return, the Indians have looked like an entirely different team. They’ve won 12 of their last 14 games going into the Region Tournament and – as was evident in a buzzer-beating win over Covington Catholic – have shown that they’ll play until the final whistle. 

Key Players 

Deservedly, Cayden Reed is considered the difference maker that has propelled this team to a higher level. Routinely scoring more than 20 points per game, the senior guard demands attention while also helping to command the offense. Fellow players Luke Fawns and Tyce Jarvis – who was named MVP following the Indians’ District Championship win over GRC – provided a post presence along with Andrew Terry, while Dawson Gentry and Isaiah Rowlett serve as threats from beyond the three-point line. Off the bench, Evan Dunn and Dane Klute are likely to receive valuable minutes. 

Outlook 

What a difference a year makes. After not getting past the district tournament since 2021, the Indians are poised to contend for the Region Championship. Second-year head coach Jason Mays, who won multiple 16th Region Championships during a prior tenure at Ashland Blazer, has shown that he can take a team to that level. A seemingly favorable draw for the tournament also works to their benefit. However, in playoff basketball when anything is possible, nothing is a guarantee. Should Montgomery County advance to the Championship Game, home court advantage will be tested as Campbell County, GRC, or another contender lies in wait. 

Mason County: 

The Mason County Royals look to build on some late-season momentum 

Season Review

Early on, seeing this year’s Mason County team as the powerhouse from the days of Darius Miller or Terrell Henry wasn’t easy. The team suffered a 40-point loss to Montgomery County and managed only 23 points in a lopsided defeat to Simon Kenton. However, with a seven-game winning streak heading into the 10th Region Tournament and a 39th District Championship win over Augusta – who’d beaten the Royals in Maysville earlier this season – the team has some much-needed momentum. A first-round draw against Bishop Brossart (15-15) awaits. 

Key Players 

The multitalented Cole Horch – who will be playing football at Morehead State University next season – is present to provide some season leadership. The Royals can also look to fellow senior Braeden Myrick and sophomore Teegin Routt, who each scored 16 points and accounted for nearly half of the Royals’ offense in their 65-46 39th District Championship victory over the Augusta Panthers. Not to be overlooked, senior Garryon McClain was recognized as an Honorable Mention All 10th Region Player for his contributions to the team. Plus, fellow senior Nazir Metts has shown consistent rebounding ability. 

Outlook 

As mentioned, the Royals suffered some tough, humbling losses earlier in the year. However, everyone is 0-0 entering the postseason. The Royals are hoping to show that their late-season success is for real. One thing is for sure: Coach Brian Kirk will have them ready to play, and the Mason County faithful will be ready.

Nicholas County:

Can size and strength help take the Nicholas County Blue Jackets forward? 

Season Review 

The Blue Jackets opened the year with a loss to George Rogers Clark but showed promise in scoring 67 points. Under first-year head coach Spencer Morris, the team has improved on their record from the year before and has scored 2,159 points in 31 games – more than both the Cards and Campbell County, though strength of schedule is a consideration. At times, the Blue Jackets have shown an ability to dominate in games they’re favored to win – beating teams by as many as 60+ points this season. However, consistency will be key going forward. 

Key Players

Among other players, junior Braxton Martin – a George Rogers Clark team member who finished second in the state to Warren Central in 2023 – brings championship experience. Yet he’s far from the only Blue Jacket to have name value. Returning starters, senior guard Maddox Donovan and junior center Preston Blake provide a balance of scoring ability and rebounding for a diverse unit. Caiden Smith, a junior, totaled 46 rebounds in the team’s two 38th District Tournament games. 

Outlook 

Many were surprised when – early in the season – it emerged that the Blue Jackets led the state in rebounds. However, as this year’s 20-11 squad proved, the Blue Jackets can be physical. While defeats to teams such as Pendleton County and Harrison County earlier in the season may have been cause for concern, the Blue Jackets have finished strong – beating both by an average of 23.5 points en route to the 38th District Championship. Now the Blue Jackets – who were knocked out by Pendleton County in the district semifinals last season – return to the 10th Region Tournament at Montgomery County with a first-round matchup against Augusta.