In the third quarterfinal of the evening, it was top ranked George Rogers Clark taking on 7th ranked Great Crossing. The defending state champion Cardinals used four first quarter three-pointers to help propel them to an early lead. George Rogers Clark led by as many as nine points in the first quarter on two different occasions. Great Crossing's Malachi Moreno was able to cut the lead to 1-point midway through the quarter, but they couldn't maintain the momentum trailing 18-11 at the quarter break. George Rogers Clark got back-to-back three-pointers from Reshaun Hampton and Jerone Morton to open the second quarter expanding their lead to 11 points. Junius Burrell scored five points as part of a 7-0 run for the Warhawks to cut the Cardinals lead to 24-20 midway through the second quarter. George Rogers Clark responded with a 4-0 spurt of their own to give them some breathing room as they led 30-25 at the half.
One minute into the second half the Cardinals lead grew to 12 points at 36-25. Junius Burrell's three-pointer with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter capped an 11-2 run for the Warhawks who trailed by just three points. A pair of Malachi Moreno free throws got Great Crossing within one point with 2:26 remaining in the quarter before a 7-0 run by the Cardinals sent them to the quarter break leading 48-42. Christian Martin scoring six points early in the fourth quarter on an 8-4 run for the Warhawks before Burrell tied the game at 52-52 with 4:07 remaining. The teams exchanged buckets over the final minute before Malachi Moreno's basket with 22 seconds remaining tied the game at 56-56. Reshaun Hampton and Junius Burrell each tried for a late heave at the end of regulation but missed to send the game to overtime.
Rashaun Hampton got things started in overtime with a three-pointer for George Rogers Clark to push the Cardinals ahead 59-56. Gage Richardson answered with his own three pointer on the Warhawks next possession to tie it back at 59-59 with three minutes to play. A Malachi Moreno putback with just under two minutes to play gave the Warhawks their first lead of the game at 61-59. George Rogers Clark's Jerone Morton would connect on one-of-two free throws to trim the lead to one with 1:28 remaining. Jeremiah Godfrey would connect on one-of-two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to put the Warhawks back ahead by two points. Jerone Morton connected with a layup on GRC's next possession to tie the game at 62-62, but Hampton was called for a foul on the ensuing inbounds play to send Burrell to the free throw line. With 1.5 seconds remaining Burrell connected on a pair of free throws to give Great Crossing a 64-62 lead. George Rogers Clark never got a shot off before time expired on the inbounds play. The 64-62 win by Great Crossing snaps a 37-game winning streak for the Cardinals who hadn't lost since December 19, 2021 against Dorman (SC) in the KOB last season.
Great Crossing's Junius Burrell earned Central Bank Player of the Game honors with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Malachi Moreno added 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 blocks for the Warhawks. George Rogers Clark was led by Reshaun Hampton with a game-high 26 points. Jerone Morton added 17 points for the Cardinals.
Great Crossing advances to Monday's semifinals to play Lyon County at 7:30pm. George Rogers Clark will take on LaRue County at 6:00pm on Monday in the consolation bracket.
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