[Stardust]

LEXINGTON — George Rogers Clark wasn't rattled in its return to Rupp Arena.

The Cardinals advanced to the quarterfinals with a 56-36 victory over Owensboro Apollo in the opening round of the PNC Bank KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 Wednesday night.

Clark (31-5) will take on Louisville Trinity at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the state quarterfinals. The Shamrocks defeated Bullitt East 52-32 in the third of four first-round games Wednesday. Apollo, the surprise winner out of the 3rd Region, finished the season with a 17-15 mark.

Despite an eight-day layoff, the Cards picked up where they left off following a 61-39 victory over Mason County in the 10th¿Region finals last week. Apollo scored single digits in three of the four quarters, while

Clark limited the Eagles to just two shots from long range, with one player finishing in double figures.

“It was kind of indicative of how we’ve played all year long,” Clark coach Scott Humphrey said afterward.

“There were times on the offensive end to where it doesn’t come real easy for us, but from the time the ball goes up and there are three zeroes on the scoreboard, we’re pretty good defensively. We relied on that again tonight.”

Clark seniors Adam Fatkin and Taylor Howard carried the load for Clark and weren't fazed by playing on the big stage. Fatkin and Howard combined for 36 points, with Fatkin paving the way with 21 points and five rebounds. Fatkin added seven blocks.

“We just wanted to come out and take it just like any other game,” Fatkin said.

Howard agreed.

“We never really paid any attention to the crowd once the game started,” he said.

Fatkin was named Kentucky National Guard Player of the Game following the contest.

Howard, a senior newcomer, followed Fatkin with 15 points and made all three of his shots from long range.

Fatkin connected on his first three field goals and scored eight of Clark's first 12 points. While Fatkin carried the scoring load in the first eight minutes, Taylor Howard picked up where Fatkin left off in the second frame.

The senior guard scored eight points in the quarter, all during an 11-4 run by Clark in the final 5:19 of the first half. Howard knocked down a couple of 3-pointers and added a putback on a missed free-throw attempt by Fatkin. The brief spurt by Clark turned a 15-10 lead into a 26-14 advantage at the break.

“Defensively, we made it tougher for them to score and we just kind of wait on our run to come,” Humphrey said. “We were able to hit some shots and Taylor was huge there in the second quarter. Bopper was able to carry us a little bit early.”

Fatkin led Clark with 11 points in the first half and added three blocks.

“Adam carried us early to keep the flow going,” he said. “We were able to ride those guys (the rest of the way).”

Charlie Rogers followed Fatkin and Howard with 11 points.

“He’s decided to grow up this year and he’s just been a rock for us,” Humphrey said. “His maturity has allowed us to go from a good team to a state tournament playing on Friday-type team.”

The Eagles managed just two field goals and six points in the second quarter. Clark forced the Eagles into 14 turnovers, with 12 of those coming in the first half.

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