Clark ended the season with just two losses against in-state teams and compiled an impressive 17-5-4 record. The Cardinals also won the district and regional championships.
"It was a great season," Clark coach Greg Dyk said. "We lost four games and the fifth one in the state championship game. I'm incredibly proud of what these guys have accomplished."
BASKETBALL
The Cardinals made their first appearance in the Sweet Sixteen in 17 years, defeating Christian County (77-71) in the opening round before falling to eventual state runner-up Louisville Ballard (71-48) in the quarterfinals.
To reach the state tourney, the Cards defeated 10th Region favorite Mason County in the regional finals.
Standout Preston Knowles, who eventually signed with the University of Louisville, tallied 68 points in three games during the regional tourney. Knowles scored 33 in the Cards' 63-59 triumph over the Royals in the region finale.
"He did what big-time players do, he made some plays down the stretch," Clark coach Scott Humphrey said at the time.
The Cards finished with a 26-8 record.
"Obviously it's disappointing to the season ends, but it's hard for me to sit up here and complain, and think about anything negative about this bunch," Humphrey said after his team's loss to Ballard.
BASEBALL
Larry Allison, an assistant coach on the boys' basketball team, had little time to rest and led the Cardinals all the way to the semi-state, where the Cardinals lost in a best-of-three series against Dunbar in Lexington.
For Allison, it was worth the ride.
Clark went 33-6 and defeated regional power Harrison County to win the regional title in Mount Sterling. The Cardinals also pieced together an impressive 19-game winning streak.
Following the loss to the Bulldogs, Allison summed up his team's successful season.
I'm extremely pleased with our year, though," he said. "You can't take anything away from what these kids have done."
It was a memorable season for Allison, who counted the team's 5-4 win over Dunbar in the second game of the series as one of the team's biggest achievements.
"The win over Dunbar (was a big win), because we hadn't had much success at all in the semi-state, and in the sectionals," he said. "They're a good ball club. The fact that we went out there and competed and got a win, that's a big accomplishment for us."
SOFTBALL
The Lady Cardinals won the 40th District title and finished with a 32-6 mark, the best record among all schools in the 10th Region.
Clark defeated Montgomery County to win the district, but lost to the Lady Indians in the 10th Region finals.
Pitcher Emily Wallace became the school's all-time leader in strikeouts, surpassing Lori Bayless on the school's all-time list. Wallace finished with 1,094 strikeouts in her career. Wallace will continue her career at Limestone College in South Carolina this fall. Wallace also was named first-team all-state.
"This is a great honor for Emily," Clark softball coach Jackie McCloud said. "She's on the same team with some of the best players in the state. It's just another accomplishment for her."
CHEERLEADING
For 20 years, Ruth Thornberry has shaped girls at George Rogers Clark High School into award-winning cheerleaders.
Last March, she was recognized for her hard work by being named Kentucky Cheerleading Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School Spirit Association. She was presented the award at the Boys' Sweet Sixteen state tournament in Rupp Arena.
Under Thornberry, Clark has won 12 of the last 13 KAPOS state championships in the traditional division. She was also named KAPOS Coach of the Year in 2005.
As the sponsor of the Red Varsity team, Thornberry got involved in cheerleading when her daughter, now 36, was on the squad.
LEFTOVERS
A year after advancing to the regional finals, the Clark football team stumbled to a 3-8 record, losing to Madison Central in the first round of the playoffs in Richmond. The Cards won their last two games of the regular season before losing to the Indians.
