Blazers Loaded with Experience for 2020-2021 Season

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After losing KyKy Tandy, Drew McGowan, and Taquan Hollowell to graduation, it was not unexpected that the UHA Blazers had some up and down moments in the 2019-2020 season, and that turned out to be the case. The Blazers finished the season at 15-14, ending up as the runners-up in the 8th District tournament, and falling to Webster County in the opening round of the 2nd Region tournament.

At times during the season, the Blazers looked like they could contend for a region championship. Their regular season sweep of the 8th District, wins over Lyon County and Caldwell County in the All A Classic, and a road win at Somerset, were all indications of the potential UHA had.

Six of the losses were by less than 10 points.

On the other end of the spectrum, there were some nights where the Blazers struggled to get things going, or got things going late in the game after digging a big early hole. Losses to John Hardin, Murray, Webster County, Caldwell County, and Union County were all indicative of those struggles.

All of the above combined for the up and down season in 2019-2020.

As the Blazers look to 2020-2021, there will be a bunch of familiar faces on the court when the season tips off.

Big man Weston Wood was the only senior on the Blazers roster this season. Wood finished the year averaging 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.

Other than that, everyone is scheduled to return for UHA in 2020-2021. The returnees will be led by the “Flying Four” quartet, four players who can get up and down the court in a hurry and cause chaos with their defensive pressure. Quartet members are Will Bryan, Amani McGee, D.J. Quarles, and K.J. Crump. The four seniors to be will provide UHA with an invaluable supply of experience heading into the season.

Crump finished the year averaging 20.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. McGee ended the year at 14.1 points a game and 4 rebounds per game.

Quarles, who missed several games towards the end of the season due to a concussion, finished the year at 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Bryan was the 4th Blazer to average in double figures at 11.0 points per contest. Bryan also led the Blazers in rebounding with 5.7 boards a game.

Namari Hall, who will be a junior next season, figures to have the inside track on starting at center for the Blazers. Hall averaged only 1.8 points, but did snag 5 rebounds per game this season. Noah Shouse, son of Coach Grant Shouse, should give the Blazers some additional outside shooting.

One of the issues for the Blazers looking ahead to next season would appear to be developing some depth to take the pressure of Quarles, Crump, Bryan, and McGee. None of the returning players for 2020-2021 saw action in more than seven games during the just completed season.

Players that could see some additional on-court minutes next season include Lemar Northington and Javion Brown.

The Blazers figure to be in a dog fight in the 8th District next season, with both Christian County and Hopkinsville returning significant talent.

In the 2nd Region All A, it likely will come down to a two horse race between UHA and Lyon County, depending on how the draw for the 2nd Region All A Classic comes out.

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