This will be the nightcap game on Thursday, at 8:30. 

George Rogers Clark came out on top in the competitive 10th region. They finished the year 29-4, 12-1 in the region, and 8-1 in the district. Their one region and district loss? A game they dropped to Montgomery County by 7 in the district championship. They had defeated Montgomery by 1 in OT prior to that game. They took the long way around in the region, playing Pendleton County first. They beat them by 42. They they had to take on Scott, a game where they won by 28. This set up what everyone figured would be the third and deciding game between Montgomery and GRC. GRC came out ahead, and won the game by 12 and punched their ticket to Rupp. 

The Cardinals are led by Coach Josh Cook who has done a great job since he's been there. Montez Gay is scoring threat number 1, who puts up 17.1 per game. Ryder Akins adds in 14.8 per game, and Malachi Ashford puts up 10.5 per game. They're GRC's so to speak, big 3. Montez Gay also adds 6.2 boards per game, and Amari Bartelson adds 6.0 RPG. As a team, they shoot 52.6% from the field, 34% from three, and 66.7% from the line. 

Now enter in Johnson Central, the winners of the super regional in the 15th. They finished the year 28-5, 16-1 in the region, and 7-1 in district. They are winners of 13 straight, and steam rolled through the district and region. Their closest games in the district and region were 13 points. They beat Pikeville by 13 in the region championship, a game where Jr. Guard Austin Slone went off for 31 on 72% from the field, and 9-9 from the charity stripe. 

The Golden Eagles are led by Coach Tommy Mckenzie who is one of the best in the 15th. The Eagles big two are Austin Slone and Brayden Shepherd, two Jr. Guards who average 21.2 and 20.0 per game. They've also added in transfer Ethan Cole later in the year who's played 16 games for JC, and he puts up 10.5 per game. Kyle Rose leads the way in RPG with 9.1, and Austin Slone adds in 7.1 per. As a team, they shoot 51.6% from the field, 41% from three, and 71.6% from the line.

This is your typical David vs Goliath matchup. I'm sure not many are going to give JC a shot, and it's going to take all they have to pull it off. Can JC ride the hot hand of Slone and Shepherd and pull this one off, or will GRC flex their muscles and advance to the Elite 8? 

Looking at common opponents, they share 2.

Johnson Central lost 94-71 to Boyd Co. GRC Beat Boyd 75-74

Johnson Central Beat Ashland Blazer 94-85 GRC beat Blazer 79-59.

Those numbers tell us that this may not be a foregone conclusion. GRC has the experience and the depth, but Johnson Central is no slouch. Teams from the mountains bring a large contingent to Rupp when they have a chance, and I expect the Golden Eagles will have the crowd on their side.

10 minutes ago, Pi said:

Looking at common opponents, they share 2.

Johnson Central lost 94-71 to Boyd Co. GRC Beat Boyd 75-74

Johnson Central Beat Ashland Blazer 94-85 GRC beat Blazer 79-59.

Those numbers tell us that this may not be a foregone conclusion. GRC has the experience and the depth, but Johnson Central is no slouch. Teams from the mountains bring a large contingent to Rupp when they have a chance, and I expect the Golden Eagles will have the crowd on their side.

I'm glad they have the late game for that reason. Should give the Golden Eagle faithful plenty of time to get off work and make the trip. 

The username should make this obvious, but...

 

GO CARDS!

1 hour ago, LCDAWGS19 said:

The username should make this obvious, but...

 

GO CARDS!

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," LCDAWGS19 - 2026 Sweet 16 edition. 

35 minutes ago, Runcible Owl said:

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," LCDAWGS19 - 2026 Sweet 16 edition. 

It's also a fellow 10th Region school, but yes. 

George Rogers Clark’s new principal, Justin Arms, used to be the principal at Johnson Central. 

GRC runs away with this one and has high chance of playing for another state title as the week goes on.

GRC will handle the guys from the 15th region.

On 3/11/2026 at 9:27 AM, DearToday said:

This will be the nightcap game on Thursday, at 8:30. 

George Rogers Clark came out on top in the competitive 10th region. They finished the year 29-4, 12-1 in the region, and 8-1 in the district. Their one region and district loss? A game they dropped to Montgomery County by 7 in the district championship. They had defeated Montgomery by 1 in OT prior to that game. They took the long way around in the region, playing Pendleton County first. They beat them by 42. They they had to take on Scott, a game where they won by 28. This set up what everyone figured would be the third and deciding game between Montgomery and GRC. GRC came out ahead, and won the game by 12 and punched their ticket to Rupp. 

The Cardinals are led by Coach Josh Cook who has done a great job since he's been there. Montez Gay is scoring threat number 1, who puts up 17.1 per game. Ryder Akins adds in 14.8 per game, and Malachi Ashford puts up 10.5 per game. They're GRC's so to speak, big 3. Montez Gay also adds 6.2 boards per game, and Amari Bartelson adds 6.0 RPG. As a team, they shoot 52.6% from the field, 34% from three, and 66.7% from the line. 

Now enter in Johnson Central, the winners of the super regional in the 15th. They finished the year 28-5, 16-1 in the region, and 7-1 in district. They are winners of 13 straight, and steam rolled through the district and region. Their closest games in the district and region were 13 points. They beat Pikeville by 13 in the region championship, a game where Jr. Guard Austin Slone went off for 31 on 72% from the field, and 9-9 from the charity stripe. 

The Golden Eagles are led by Coach Tommy Mckenzie who is one of the best in the 15th. The Eagles big two are Austin Slone and Brayden Shepherd, two Jr. Guards who average 21.2 and 20.0 per game. They've also added in transfer Ethan Cole later in the year who's played 16 games for JC, and he puts up 10.5 per game. Kyle Rose leads the way in RPG with 9.1, and Austin Slone adds in 7.1 per. As a team, they shoot 51.6% from the field, 41% from three, and 71.6% from the line.

This is your typical David vs Goliath matchup. I'm sure not many are going to give JC a shot, and it's going to take all they have to pull it off. Can JC ride the hot hand of Slone and Shepherd and pull this one off, or will GRC flex their muscles and advance to the Elite 8? 

Where did transfer Ethan Cole play at before joining JC?

21 minutes ago, Run it Back said:

Where did transfer Ethan Cole play at before joining JC?

Paintsville.

Bump.

let's go Golden Eagles.. call upon the power of March Madness and all that it holds. 

2026 UK HEALTHCARE BOYS’ BASKETBALL SWEET 16®

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