Blazers Survive Caldwell County for 8th Straight All A Regional Title

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The Caldwell County Tigers very nearly picked up their first ever 2nd Region All A championship Saturday night. Very nearly. Kevin Crump’s seven points in overtime helped carry the University Heights Academy Blazers to their 8th All A regional championship, as the Blazers edged out Caldwell County 69-61 in a heart stopping regional finale at Livingston Central High School.

The Blazers had to battle back from deficits that reached as many as nine points in the first half and eight points in the second half against a Caldwell County team that appeared ready to take down the defending champs for a big portion of the night.

Amani McGee scored the first five points of the game, as UHA jumped out to a 5-0 lead. With UHA up 7-5, the Tigers hit the Blazers with a run that appeared to knock them off stride for a good chunk of the first half. Behind a big first quarter from Adarius Riley, Caldwell County ripped off an 11-0 run to go up 16-7. The quarter would end with the Tigers holding a 16-10 lead.

Tripp Branch buried a three to open the second quarter, giving the Tigers their biggest lead of the night at nine points. Caldwell County would have that nine point lead on three occasions, the last coming at 23-14. UHA finished the half on a 14-8 spurt to trim the lead to 31-28 going into the locker room.

A D.J. Quarles basket to open the second half brought the Blazers to within 31-30. Caldwell County then made it clear that they were not going away in the game by scoring seven straight to take a 38-30 lead. The quarter would end with the Tigers up five at 42-37, and with a restless feeling creeping in among the Blazer fans in attendance.

Early in the 4th quarter, Caldwell County was up 43-39, when the defending state All A champions made a move that looked like they were ready to close out the game. A 9-0 run ignited by the play of D.J. Quarles and Will Bryan put the Blazers up 48-43. The lead would grow to as much as six points, but again the Tigers came roaring back.

Adarius Riley and JaMarius Blaine brought Caldwell County back to within 50-49. The teams went back and forth, with Riley hitting a shot in the final minute to tie the game at 53-53. UHA had a last second shot to try and win the game that was off the mark and the two teams headed for overtime.

In the extra period, Caldwell County quickly grabbed a four point lead at 57-53. With the momentum about to irrevocably switch away from the Blazers, D.J. Quarles buried a long three from the left side to make it 57-56. K.J. Crump followed with a three that gave UHA the lead for good at 59-57. Another critical moment came with UHA up 61-58. Caldwell County was running a weave near the top of the key on the offensive end, when Cayden Fraliex and Tripp Branch collided. Will Bryan was there to pick up the ball for UHA and get a layup at the other end to extend the lead to 5 and firmly seize the momentum for the Blazers.

From that point, the Tigers could not get shots to fall, either from the field or from the free throw line, while the Blazers sealed the 8 point win knocking down their free throws.

K.J. Crump was big for the Blazers, finishing the game with 23 points. D.J. Quarles ended the night with 16 points, including his huge 4th quarter three. Will Bryan also had 16 points for the Blazers. Namari Hall only scored two points, but was a force for the Blazers inside defensively and on the glass before fouling out late in the game.

Adarius Riley pace the Tiger attack with 18 points. However, UHA was able to shut Riley out during the overtime. JaMarius Blaine ended the night with 16 points for Caldwell County. Cole Smiley was a beast inside for the Tigers, ending up with 9 points and 21 rebounds.

UHA improves to 10-8 on the season with the win, while Caldwell County falls to 8-9.

The Blazers head off to Richmond for their first round matchup Thursday in the All A Classic. UHA will take on 1st Region champion Murray, who defeated Mayfield Saturday night.

UHA and Murray met in the Blazers opening game of the season, with the Tigers coming away with a 12 point win.

The game is set for 1pm eastern time Thursday afternoon at McBrayer Arena.

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