By Casey Castle

The newer, faster George Rogers Clark High School boys basketball team took a little while to get the engine warm, but once it was firing on all cylinders, the result was impressive.

The Cardinals (1-0) opened their regular season schedule with a 82-32 victory over Nicholas County Tuesday night in Winchester.

The Cardinals were up 17-9 after the first quarter, but turned up the heat — creating offense out of defensive pressure to pull away. GRC led 43-22 at halftime.

Nicholas County (0-1) managed just 10 points in the second half.

“Defensively, we were better in the second half,” GRC coach Josh Cook said. “We judge that on contested shots and if they are rotating where they need to be. We ran the floor well.”

The Blue Jackets used a two-three zone most of the game. Cook said he’d like to see his team execute a little better against the zone, but 82 points with most of the second half played with a running clock is nothing to sneeze at.

“Offensively, we need to reverse the ball more and attack those gaps in the zone,” Cook said.

Chase Taylor led the Cardinals offensively with 18 points.

“He played better defensively in the second half and that makes him him better offensively because when he focuses on defense, he doesn’t think about it,” Cook said. “He can just go play.”

Ryan Cooper added 12 points, four assists and a pair of steals in the win.

In his debut for the Cardinals, Brennan Canada scored 13 points, handed out four assists, collected six rebounds and blocked two shots.

“He can do a little bit of everything,” Cook said. “It’s been food for him. He’s being challenged every day and gettiing stronger. He’s moving better. We want him to play with a higher motor. He’s a perfect fit for this basketball team.”

Will Philpot added eight points.

KJ Rucker gave the Cardinals four assists and seven points off the bench.

The Blue Jackets were led by Spencer Morris who put in 16 points — nine of which came in the second quarter.

The Cardinals travel to North Laurel Saturday to take part in the Nisson Classic. They face 10th Region defending champion Scott High at 2:30 p.m.

The Eagles open their regular season Friday when they face Montgomery County in Mount Sterling.

The Cardinals return home Dec. 9 to host Campbell County at 7:30 p.m.