LEXINGTON — From fledgling program to state champion in six years, Great Crossing’s journey to the top of Kentucky high school basketball is complete.
And a 6-foot-11 mountain of a man named Malachi Moreno led the way.
Moreno — McDonald’s All-American, Kentucky Mr. Basketball and University of Kentucky signee — posted 24 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Warhawks to a 71-61 victory over Bowling Green in Saturday’s championship game of the UK HealthCare Sweet 16 in front of 12,222 fans at Rupp Arena.
Moreno was named Sweet 16 MVP.
Great Crossing (35-4) picked up its first state championship and closed the season with a 27-game winning streak, winning its four Sweet 16 games by an average margin of 19 points.
Great Crossing opened as Scott County’s second high school in 2019 and immediately changed the sports landscape in Georgetown. Led by legendary coach Billy Hicks, Scott County had reached seven state finals from 1998-2019 and won two championships.
But now it’s Great Crossing on top.
Morehead State signee Vince Dawson added 18 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Warhawks.
Kadyn Carpenter scored 19 points to lead Bowling Green (31-7), which played in its third state final.
Great Crossing played without sophomore point guard L.J. Holman (10.9 ppg), who suffered an ankle injury in Friday's quarterfinal win over Cooper.
It hardly mattered.
Great Crossing closed the first half with a 19-5 run for a 32-17 lead and then scored the first nine points of the third quarter, taking a 41-17 lead on Dawson’s four-point play at the 5:51 mark.
The Purples pulled within 54-48 on Carpenter's layup with 5:47 left but never got closer.
GC 13 19 20 19 – 71
BG 8 9 23 21 – 61
Great Crossing (35-4) – Vince Dawson 18, Jamari Mason 4, Gage Richardson 15, Malachi Moreno 24, Brady Orem 8, Travanti Cooper 2.
Bowling Green (31-7) – Deuce Bailey 10, Braylon Banks 8, Kadyn Carpenter 19, Joe Hurt 11, Jace Wardlow 13.
This story will be updated.
