Kennedy Stamper puts up 27 points as GRC cruises past Frederick Douglass

It’s been all too often that postseason runs have come up just short in Winchester, and specifically for GRC. Coach Robbie Graham has had a number of elite teams over the past couple of years, but for the first time, he has led the Lady Cardinals to the state championship game.

Behind 27 points and seven threes from sophomore Kennedy Stamper, GRC beat Frederick Douglass 75-52 in the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 Semifinals.

From the get-go, it was all Lady Cardinals. It was evident that one team had been on this stage before, while the other… not so much. Things quickly got out of hand as GRC led 25-11 following the first quarter.

Stamper would come out of the gates firing, and at the half, she had 18 points on 6-8 (5-6 3PT) shooting. On the defensive side of the ball, GRC held Douglass scoreless over the final 2:25 of the first half. The Lady Cardinals had recorded 14 points off of nine Broncos turnovers, creating even further separation on the scoreboard. At the break, GRC held a firm 19-point, 41-22 lead.

That overwhelming defense carried over the third quarter as Douglass only managed to score 10 points in the eight-minute period. At one point, GRC went on a 22-4 run in the third quarter, and at that point, the nails had been driven into the coffin.

Freshman Kyleigh Chestnut recorded 12 points on 4-7 (2-4 3PT) shooting, also tallying three rebounds and two steals along the way. Jailenn Green also got into double figures as she scored 10 points in 19 minutes of action. Michigan commit Ciara Byars had seven points and seven rebounds in the win.

GRC will take on the winner of Sacred Heart-Danville Christian at 7:30 p.m. ET in the state championship game.