In front of an electric crowd at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, the Great Crossing Warhawks punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 state tournament for the second consecutive year. Led by Kentucky commit Malachi Moreno’s incredible triple-double performance, the Warhawks narrowly edged the Frederick Douglass Broncos in a thrilling 59-57 victory.
Moreno’s stat line was nothing short of spectacular, with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks on 8-10 shooting. His defensive dominance in the paint and timely scoring kept Great Crossing in control for most of the game. However, the Warhawks had to overcome some late-game drama. A few missed free throws and turnovers in the closing minutes gave the Broncos life, but Great Crossing’s defense held firm, forcing a contested final shot that fell short.
“It came down to who wanted it more,” Moreno said after the game. “Douglass is a very good team, and we had to give it everything we had.”
The game wasn’t without its challenges. Frederick Douglass, ranked No. 3 in the state, made several runs to cut into Great Crossing’s lead, including trimming the deficit to just one point in the third quarter. However, Moreno’s presence in the paint made scoring difficult for the Broncos, who shot just 33.8% from the field and 4-25 from beyond the arc.
Morehead State commit Vince Dawson also played a crucial role, adding 17 points and seven rebounds for the Warhawks. The team’s efficient shooting—51.2% from the field—proved to be a significant factor in their victory.
This win mirrored Great Crossing’s magical run last year, when they stunned Lexington Catholic at the buzzer in the 11th Region finals to reach their first Sweet 16. Head coach Steve Page acknowledged the familiar feeling, joking, “I’d like to win one of these without stressing the last minute.”
Now, Great Crossing turns its attention to Rupp Arena and the 2025 UK HealthCare Boys Basketball Sweet 16, running from March 26-29. With top-ranked St. Xavier as a potential finals opponent, the Warhawks will aim for redemption after falling short in last year’s semifinals.
For Moreno and the Warhawks, the journey continues, and the dream of state glory remains alive.
