McGee Leads Blazer Rally Past Colonels for District Top Seed

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It was a game worthy of having the top seed in the 8th District tournament on the line. The University Heights Academy rallied from a double digit second half deficit and got a big night from junior Amani McGee, as the Blazers held off a strong performance from the Christian County Colonels to win 65-62 in overtime at Blazer Gym.

The Blazers were missing junior. D.J. Quarles, who suffered a concussion during a recent practice. Christian County was missing a trio of players, as well as Coach Kerry Stovall, who is battling an illness. The Colonels also had to play the overtime without Stephen Bussell, who had fouled out with 1:14 to go in regulation.

The game began with an intensity and pace of play that was off the scale, and threatened to have players and fans alike exhausted by halftime. The first quarter featured six ties and four lead changes. With the Blazers leading 13-11, Christian County went on a 7-0 run to go up 18-13. The quarter would end with the Colonels up 20-19.

In a foreshadowing of the rest of the game, Christian County’s Stephen Bussell and UHA’s Amani McGee, both lit it up during the first quarter. Each finished the opening eight minutes with 9 points.

Almost out of survival, the pace of play slowed down in the second quarter. While the pace did slow, the intensity on the court did not. With Christian County up 25-24, the Colonels finished the half with a 10-1 spurt that sent them off to the locker room with the game’s first double digit lead at 35-25. Stephen Bussell was almost unstoppable in the quarter, adding 13 more points to bring his first half total to 22.

With Bussell on his way to a spectacular night, the Colonels looked to have UHA on the ropes early in the third quarter. Christian County pushed the lead out to 15 points at 46-11. Another basket by Bussell had Christian County leading 48-34, but shortly thereafter came a momentum swinging situation. Bussell had to leave the game due to foul problems, and the Blazers then made their move to make it a game.

UHA closed out the third quarter on a 9-2 run to trim the margin to 50-43 heading into the final eight minutes.

The Blazers then opened the 4th quarter on an 8-0 run, part of an overall 15-0 run, to take a 51-50 lead. Christian County went back in front 53-51, but could not hold the lead, as UHA scored four quick points to take a 55-53 lead. A late basket by Mikeon Mathis tied the game at 55-55. UHA had the ball and went for one last shot, but did not get a good look at the basket as the game headed for overtime.

The Colonels would be hindered in overtime however, as Stephen Bussell had picked up his 5th foul with 1:14 to go in regulation. Yet the Colonels would not go down quietly in this contest.

An Amani McGee basket put UHA up 61-57 and it felt like the Blazers were about to seize the game. However, Christian County got five straight points, as the Colonels took the lead back at 62-61.

Then it was Will Bryan time. On a penetration move down the lane inside the final minute, Bryan found Namari Hall for an open layup to give the Blazers the lead at 63-62. Bryan later added two insurance free throws, as Christian County could not get a look at a three in the final seconds, and the Blazers held on for the three point win.

Amani McGee had a big, big night for UHA, finishing the game with 29 points. Will Bryan added 15 points, and provided important energy on the defensive end of the court. K,J. Crump finished with 11 points. Namari Hall scored 7 for the Blazers.

Stephen Bussell led Christian County with 29 points, 22 of which came in the first half. Mikeon Mathis and Olajuwon White also reached double figures with 11 points each.

UHA locks up the top seed in the 8th District tournament with the win. The Blazers will take on Fort Campbell in one district semifinal. The Colonels will be the number two seed, and be matched up against Hopkinsville in the other semfinal game of the district tournament.

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