Names to Know At The State Tournament: GRC vs. Johnson Central

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The winners of the 15th region tournament are set to take on the winners of the 10th region tournament Thursday night in historic Rupp Arena. These teams have battled throughout their respective seasons and make up 2 of final 16 teams remaining in the state of Kentucky. Let's dive into these teams' seasons and see what they accomplished, and who led the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark Cardinals: The Cardinals finished runners-up in a tough 40th district, where they fell to the Montgomery County Indians, but redemption tasted sweet on March 10th, when the Cardinals topped the Indians 70-58 inside the Mason County Fieldhouse to earn the title of region champions. The Cards were led by:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2122438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b8527ace29b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Montez is ranked as the number one junior in the state of Kentucky for a reason. He is averaging 17.2 PPG. He is shooting over 57% from the floor. Montez is an athletic defender, can guard 1-5, and put pressure on whoever he is guarding. Montez will be able to help a collegiate program from day 1!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2541123"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b8527ace318"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his first season at GRC, Ryder has made an instant impact. As a sophomore who is averaging 15.0 PPG and 5 RPG, Ryder only has room to grow. Ryder is deadly from behind the arc, he is shooting 37.5% from deep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2120028"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b8527ace367"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malachi has done nothing since his freshman year other than IMPROVE. He has moved up the ranks. He is a gritty defender, who won't let anyone by him. Malachi has knocked down 50 three-pointers on the season. The cardinals will be a tough out in the state tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson Central Golden Eagles: Talk about a gritty mountain team! The Eagles have won the 57th district title along with the 15th region title, and they sure have earned it. The Eagles are going into this game with a 13 game win streak on their shoulders. They are going into the state tournament with a 28-5 record while only receiving losses from 3 in state opponents. Here a few guys who pushed Johnson Central to where they are now:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1745584"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b8527ace3b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slone can move so well with or without the ball in his hands. He is as dangerous finisher around the basket. He has a knockdown mid-range jump shot. With Austin's size, he isn't afraid to crash the boards either. He is currently averaging 21.2 PPG and 7.1 RPG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2900459"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b8527ace3f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Johnson Central team has no shortage of guards. Shepherd is a fantastic ballhandler. He also has a knack for finding the open man, whether it be in the open floor or in half court offense. Brayden is averaging 20 PPG and is shooting 81% from the charity stripe on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mason McKenzie","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Johnson Central High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b8527ace4a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason is a shooter! He has made 63 of 74 three pointers on the season for a staggering 85% from beyond the arc. Mason is a facilitator on the offensive end of the floor and has really good hands on the defensive end. He is only a sophomore, so look for his name the next few seasons!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a battle in Rupp Arena. I can't wait to watch! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, Keep working hard, fellas!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->