Many felt it would be the top-ranked George Rogers Clark Cardinals (37-1 overall) against the third-ranked Covington Catholic Colonels (30-5) in the final game.
But Covington Catholic fell in the semifinals of the Sweet 16 in a 61-58 loss to fifth-ranked Warren Central (29-4) in the second semifinal game. Later Saturday evening, George Rogers Clark narrowly claimed the second state state title in school history defeating Warren Central, 43-42. The other state title for the Cardinals came in 1951.
George Rogers Clark is the first team in Kentucky to go undefeated against in-state competition since Scott County did it during the 2006-07 season. George Rogers Clark won 31 straight on its way to the state championship.
Junior guard Jerone Morton led George Rogers Clark with 14 points and senior guard Tanner Walton scored 13. Morton earned the tournament’s most valuable player honors.
The Dragons saw two players score 10 points. They were junior small forward Chappelle Whitney and junior point guard Omari Glover. Glover also had nine rebounds.
George Rogers Clark had to survive a double-overtime game against 12th Region champion Lincoln County Patriots (31-8). Junior guard Sam Parrish led the Cardinals with 16 points with senior point guard Aden Slone scoring 14 and Morton 11.
This marked the first time Lincoln County ever made it to the state semifinals. Junior guard Tramane Alcorn led the Patriots with 19 and senior guard Jaxon Smith scored 14.
Double Overtime Note:
The 54-51 George Rogers Clark win over Lincoln County in the first semifinal game marked just the second time a semifinal game went to two overtimes in KHSAA Boys Hoops Sweet 16 history. The only other time occurred in 1952 when the now-defunct Cuba High beat the now-defunct Hindman High, 44-42.
Cuba is located in western Kentucky south of Mayfield and Hindman is in the eastern Kentucky Knott County. Cuba knocked off Louisville DuPont Manual, 58-52 to win the state championship that year.
Covington Catholic Tournament History:
The Colonels are 18-11 all-time in the state tournament including a 12-3 mark under current Head Coach Scott Ruthsatz. They own state championships in 2018 and 2014 and have a runner-up finish in 1967. The Colonels have lost in the semifinals three times with two coming to Warren Central. Warren Central beat CovCath, 62-58 on its way to the state championship in 2004.
Of the seven times CovCath won its first-round game, the Colonels have only lost in the state quarterfinals once. That came in 1971 to Owensboro, 74-64.
The Colonels have lost in the first round of the state tournament six times. They were not able to play in the 2020 state tournament because of the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic.
All-Tournament Team:
George Rogers Clark – Jerone Morton (MVP), Tanner Walton, Aden Sloan
Warren Central – Jaiden Lawrence, Izayiah Villafuerte, Omari Glover
Covington Catholic – Brady Hussey, Evan Ipsaro
Lincoln County – Jaxon Smith, Tramane Alcorn
Lyon County – Travis Perry
Murray – Grant Whitaker
Pikeville – Keian Worrix
North Oldham – Ian Higdon
Kentucky Boys Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena, Lexington Results:
Wednesday, March 16 Results:
Lincoln County 45, Jeffersontown 41
North Oldham 36, Muhlenberg County 32
George Rogers Clark 77, Perry County Central 36
Pikeville 59, North Laurel 51
Thursday, March 17 Results:
Warren Central 57, Male 54 (OT)
Lyon County 82, John Hardin 65
Murray 57, Henry Clay 53
Covington Catholic 76, Ashland 65
Friday, March 18 Results:
Lincoln County 56, North Oldham 46
George Rogers Clark 43, Pikeville 38
Covington Catholic 59, Lyon County 57
Warren Central 54, Murray 48
Saturday, March 19 Semifinals:
George Rogers Clark 54, Lincoln County 51 (2OT)
Warren Central 61, Covington Catholic 58
Saturday, March 19 Title Game:
George Rogers Clark 43, Warren Central 42