SWEET 16 TOURNAMENT: Defending champs eliminate North Laurel

Kentucky commit Reed Sheppard and North Laurel were bounced from the Sweet 16 for the second straight year as defending champion George Rogers Clark held on down the stretch for a 64-52 win in the final game of opening round action at Rupp Arena on Thursday night.

Reed finished with 23 points in his final high school game as the Jaguars dropped to 25-11.

Ryan Davidson followed with 11.

Jerone Morton and Sam Parrish led the Cardinals with 19 points apiece.

At Lexington

(Sweet 16 tournament)

SCORE BY QUARTER:

NL (25-11)……5 16 17  16 – 54

GRC (28-5)…18  11  24   9 – 62

Scoring:

North Laurel (54) – Ryan Davidson 4(1) 0-0 11; Gavin Chadwell 3 0-0 6; Reed Sheppard 5(3) 4-4 23; Colton Rawlings 0(2) 0-0 6; Brody Brock 1(1) 1-2 6; Chase Keen 0 0-2 0; and Kole Jervis 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14(7) 5-8 54.

George Rogers Clark (62) – Trent Edwards 1 3-3 5; Reshaun Hampton 5(2) 0-0 16; Jerone Morton 5(2) 3-3 19; Sam Parrish 7(1) 2-4 19; and Tyleik Maxwell 0(1) 0-1 3. Totals: 18(6) 8-11 62.