WINCHESTER -- Showing rare vulnerability in the first half, the Sacred Heart Academy basketball team ultimately found its way and kept "The Streak" alive in the toughest of road environments.
Tootie Jordan had 28 points, seven assists and five steals and ZaKiyah Johnson added 26 points and nine rebounds as No. 1-ranked Sacred Heart beat No. 2 George Rogers Clark 80-68 on Wednesday in a battle of Kentucky girls basketball powers.
Sacred Heart (22-2) won its 92 straight game against a Kentucky opponent, with seven of those coming against GRC.
But Wednesday's victory was anything but guaranteed against a GRC squad that entered with a 49-4 record in its spacious gym that opened in February 2020. (Sacred Heart became the first opponent with two victories at the GRC gym.)
The Cardinals (17-7) bolted to leads of 9-2 and 16-4 in the first quarter before the Valkyries finally got in gear behind Jordan.
The sophomore point guard scored 16 points in the first half as Sacred Heart rallied within 33-32 at the break.
The Valkyries took control in the third quarter, turning GRC turnovers into easy baskets on the other end. Johnson scored seven points during an 18-5 surge that gave the Valkyries a 53-44 lead at the 2:02 mark.
GRC never got closer than seven points the rest of the way. Kennedy Stamper led the Cardinals with 16 points.
Sacred Heart (22-2) - Tootie Jordan 28, Becca Carson 3, Tahri Ralston 2, ZaKiyah Johnson 26, Bri Wilkins 3, Caroline Osting 3, Riley Gilvin 4, Morgan Frey 11.
George Rogers Clark (17-7) - Kennedy Stamper 16, Kyleigh Chestnut 13, Teigh Yeast 8, Ciara Byars 14, Jailenn Green 13, Kyleigh Stakelin 4.
More high school basketball: Sacred Heart stays No. 1 in newest media poll
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Follow on X @kyhighs.