Last season the UHA Blazers went to Richmond on a mission. To redeem themselves for a first round loss to Lexington Christian the previous year, and to bring home another All A state title. This season, the Blazers have a mission right out of the gate in their opening game Thursday at McBrayer Arena, and that mission is to show they are a completely different team than the one that lost to Murray back in the season opener.
The Blazers and the Tigers will square off in the final game of the morning session Thursday, tipping off at 1:00pm in Richmond.
The first meeting this season between the two teams was a story of two halves. Murray bombarded the Blazers from the opening tip, getting out to a 23 point lead at the half. The lead would grow to 27 early in the second half, before UHA cranked up the defensive heat. The Blazers would get as close as 7 points, before finally falling by 12 at 89-77. A telling story of that contest was rebounding, as the Tigers owned the glass 42-15.
Coming into the All A, UHA has won its last five games, and 8 of its last 10. The Tigers have won their last three games, all in the 1st Region All A Classic. Both teams won their first two regional games handily, with both picking up 8 point wins in their respective regional title games.
UHA is making its 8th straight appearance in the All A Classic state tournament, and 25th overall. The Blazers are the defending champions, defeating Lexington Christian in last year’s championship game. Murray is playing in its 7th All A state tournament. The Tigers have never won the event, but did finish as the runners-up in the 2016 tournament. The Tigers have also played in the 2015, 2009, 2008, 1995, and 1991 tourneys. This will be the first meeting between the two schools in the All A Classic state tournament.
Over the past seven seasons, UHA and Murray have met eight times. The Blazers have won five of the matchups, with the Tigers winning three. Prior to Murray’s win in the season opener, UHA had won four straight between the two schools.
UHA has four players averaging in double figures, led by K.J. Crump, who is averaging more than 20 points a game. D.J. Quarles, Will Bryan, and Amani McGee are the other double figures scorers for the Blazers.
Murray is led by Grant Whitaker, who is averaging right at 20 points per contest. Gabe Taylor and Darius Duffy are the other double figures scorers for the Tigers. Duffy is also averaging 11 rebounds per game.
The winner of the UHA-Murray contest will play Friday night at 6:30 against the winner of Louisville Holy Cross and Metcalfe County.
