In a thrilling and closely contested matchup at Rupp Arena, Warren Central emerged as the champions of the KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 championship game with a 64-60 victory over George Rogers Clark. The game was a repeat of the 2022 championship matchup between the two teams.
Both Warren Central and George Rogers Clark had faced tough opposition on their road to the final. Warren Central had defeated Pulaski County, Ashland Blazer, and Woodford County, while George Rogers Clark had overcome North Laurel, Lyon County and Frederick Douglass.
The Dragons were led by three players who each scored 17 points: Damarion Walkup, Kade Unseld, and Omari Glover. Walkup had an efficient game, shooting 5-9 from the field, 3-5 from beyond the arc, and making 4-6 free throws. Unseld shot 6-10 from the field and hit 3-6 three-pointers. Glover was the most accurate shooter for the Dragons, hitting 7-9 shots, including 3-5 from the free-throw line.
Chappelle Whitney contributed 10 points and 8 rebounds for Warren Central. Iz Villafuerte added 3 points, while Mali Jefferson and Tayvion Wells did not score. Warren Central did not get any bench points, and all 64 of their points were scored by their starters.
On the other hand, George Rogers Clark had three players in double figures. Jerone Morton was the leading scorer with 23 points, shooting 9-20 from the field, making 2-2 three-pointers, and hitting 3-3 free throws. Sam Parrish scored 17 points on 8-12 shooting and Trent Edwards added 7 points, shooting 3-5 from the field.
Reshaun Hampton had a solid game with 13 points, shooting 5-8 from the field and hitting 3-6 three-pointers. Tyleik Maxwell did not score, shooting 0-2 from the field, both of which were three-point attempts.
George Rogers Clark got no bench points, and all 60 of their points were scored by their starters. Morton had a good all-around game, also leading his team in assists with 6, while Parrish and Edwards led in rebounds with 3 each.
Both teams were efficient from the field, with Warren Central shooting 54.8% and George Rogers Clark shooting 53.2%. The Dragons were slightly better from beyond the arc, hitting 53.8% of their three-point attempts compared to 42.9% for the Cardinals.
Warren Central had more rebounds, with 25 compared to George Rogers Clark’s 19. However, the Cardinals had fewer turnovers, committing only 5 compared to the Dragons’ 6. Neither team got many points from their bench, with Warren Central getting 0 and George Rogers Clark getting 0 as well.
In the end, Warren Central’s starters were just enough to hold off the Cardinals’ late push and secure the victory.
