Lady Cards outlast Lady Jaguars to return to Final Four
Published 2:41 pm Friday, March 14, 2025
GRC's Ciara Byars looks to grab a rebound. (Smoke Signals Student Media Photo).
GRC's Khania Jones traps a North Laurel offensive player, forcing a timeout. (Smoke Signals Student Media photo).
GRC's Kyleigh Stakelin celebrates with teammates after drawing a charge on defense. (Smoke Signals Student Media photo).
GRC's Teigh Yeast drives to the basket late in the game against North Laurel. She would score two points and a subsequent free throw to extend GRC's lead to four. (Smoke Signals Student Media photo).
The GRC bench celebrates after a big play in the Lady Cards' favor. (Smoke Signals Student Media photo).
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Two years ago, the George Rogers Clark Lady Cardinals (27-7) defeated the North Laurel Lady Jaguars (32-3) en route to their last trip to the Final Four.
Seeking to return, GRC would once more be tasked with taking down the 13th Region Champion.
Ultimately, the Lady Cards proved too much for the Lady Jaguars.
In a memorable game with multiple lead changes, George Rogers Clark pulled away on a late 7-0 run to win 50-42 and advance to the Final Four.
They will play Saturday, March 15, at 11:00 a.m. against the winner of a matchup between 11th Region Champion Frederick Douglass (26-7) and 5th Region Champion Taylor County (25-8) with an opportunity to play in the KHSAA Girls’ Basketball State Championship Game at 7:30 p.m. at Rupp Arena.
“It was a tough, grind-out game,” said Head Coach Robbie Graham. “We played together and fought through some adversity. We kept our poise and composure.”
In their previous game against Franklin-Simpson, the Lady Cards broke away early to take a 14-point halftime lead.
However, a stingy North Laurel defense looked to limit GRC’s offense.
Holding a one-point lead late in the first half, GRC created some distance after sophomore Kennedy Stamper hit two free throws, followed by a three-point basket from freshman Kyleigh Chestnut after sophomore Kyleigh Stamper forced a turnover by taking a charge on defense.
Yet North Laurel sophomore Mariella Claybrook would hit a layup at the buzzer, keeping GRC’s lead at 21-17 at halftime.
The Lady Cards’ defense was strong in the first half, forcing nine points off turnovers while not allowing North Laurel any.
The Lady Cards struck early in the second half, thanks partly to four points and a pair of steals from senior Khania Jones.
“She’s been through so much…through the grace of God, she’s able to come out here and run and play” added Coach Graham. “She gives us everything…and she’s laying it all on the line like all these girls.”
However, just when the Lady Cards looked to have a comfortable seven-point lead, the Lady Jaguars showed why they entered the contest with only two losses.
A 9-0 run by North Laurel – led by 22 points from senior Brooke Nichelson – gave them a 2-point lead with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter.
The Lady Cards tied the contest in the quarter’s final seconds on a jump shot by senior Jailenn Green, and – after a steal and pair of free throws by senior Ciara Byars – entered the fourth quarter leading by two points.
Chestnut would aid the Lady Cards’ offense with four of her seven points in the fourth quarter.
“I was reading the defense,” she said.
However, after a steal and score by Nichelson, GRC entered the final minute with a narrow one-point lead.
At that point, junior Teigh Yeast arguably made the play of the game.
On a drive to the basket, Yeast attempted a layup and – while being fouled – converted on the shot and subsequent free throw for a 46-42 lead.
“We prepared for moments like this,” Yeast said. “We just stayed calm [and] stayed aggressive.”
“We’re going to take what [the] defense gives us, and then I feel confident in our players attacking the basket,” said Coach Graham.
Following a defensive stop and pair of free throws by Green, a steal by Stamper – who tied with Byars for a team-leading 10 points – led to a long outlet pass to Jones in the final seconds that, following a layup, resulted in the final score.
“Hats off to George Rogers Clark. They came in and gave us all we wanted,” said North Laurel Head Coach Eddie Mahan. “They’re one of the best teams in the state for a reason. They’re very, very talented.”
