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With both teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 by numerous sources and strong results – including 10th Region Championship victories – as of late, the Cards and Lady Cards’ basketball teams have garnered attention in Clark County.

On Tuesday night, Nov. 21, the community came to GRC Arena to learn who makes up the rosters.

Members of the George Rogers Clark High School girls and boys basketball teams and other squads were introduced to the crowd and participated in different exhibitions and skill competitions.

“It’s really fun overall,” said Haddon Cecil, a freshman and first-year varsity player on this year’s boys’ basketball team. “It really bonded us as a team.”

As many know, the past two seasons have seen the Cards win a KHSAA state championship in 2022 and finish as runner-up in 2023.

Meanwhile, not to be overlooked, the Lady Cards finished in the Elite Eight in 2022 and the Final Four in 2023.

Last year’s loss to eventual state champion Sacred Heart represented the closest margin of victory for the Valkyries in the KHSAA state tournament run.

While some of the Cards’ returnees have much playing time, including Reshaun Hampton, Eli Craig, and J.P. Gaines, they also return Maddox Campbell, Hampton Taylor and Jacob Smith.

Moved up to the roster are Cecil, Montez Gay, Abrahm Howard, Abe Mullins, Chase Pace and Gunnar Woods.

Transfers Breland Morrison and Malachi Ashford join the squad, with the latter receiving much attention from many pundits at the beginning of the year.

The Lady Cards return three starters from last year’s Final Four Squad – Ciara Byars, Anaya Chestnut, and Kennedy Stamper – as well as reserves such as Jaylynn Goodwin, Annette Miller, Madelyn Settles, Kyleigh Chestnut, Kyleigh Stakelin, and Makili Tabor.

With Tabor being the lone senior on this year’s roster, the future of Lady Cards’ basketball continues to look bright.

Transfers Teigh Yeast, Jailenn Green, and Khania Jones also were introduced.

Along with the announcements, different players from both squads faced off in competition.

Not only did the Cards and Lady Cards go up against each other in a friendly yet competitive scrimmage, but the freshman and JV rosters were introduced to the crowd and did the same.

Plus, after being introduced, cheerleaders and the dance teams performed an act filled with school spirit.

Yet that’s not all.

At the event’s start, athletes associated with Clark County Special Olympics took part in shooting contests, with fellow varsity athletes serving as coaches and mentors.

The evening also featured the Cards and Lady Cards facing off against one another in skills competitions, including a knockout competition from the three-point line, a three-point shootout, and a contest titled 3/2/1.

The latter featured six varsity players competing for each team.

They were required to successfully make three consecutive free throws, two three-point shots, and one half-court shot.

Teigh Yeast, who helped the Lady Cards win the three-point competition, expressed enthusiasm.

“It was nice to win that three-point competition,” Yeast said. “I think we’re putting together a really, really good team this year.”

The Lady Cards begin their season on Thursday, Nov. 30, with a matchup against Great Crossing at GRC Arena at 7:30 p.m.

One night later, on Friday, Dec. 1, the Cards start their year with a 7:30 p.m. matchup against Campbell County in Alexandria.