After a two year run at the top of the 8th District, the UHA Blazers were upended in the district championship game last season, and then were bumped out of the 2nd Region tournament in an opening round loss to Webster County. With four starters returning in 2021, UHA will set their sights on returning to the top of the 8th District and making a run for the chance to play in Rupp Arena.
Weston Wood was the only senior for the Blazers last season, but provided significant leadership and stability as the 5th starter for a team that had its ups and downs over the course of the season. With a starting lineup that could consist of five seniors, leadership and experience should not be issues for the Blazers this season.
UHA had four players average double figures during the 2019-2020 season, and all four are back and figure to make up 80 percent of the starting lineup. K.J. Crump led the attack last season with more than 20 points per game. D.J. Quarles added around 15 points per contest. Amani McGee was not far behind with over 14 points per game. William Bryan rounded out the “double figures club” with right at 11 points per contest.
With the transfer of Namari Hall, the 5th starting spot could see a rotation, depending on the opponent and the situation. Edward Braxton, who saw action in just six contests last season, offers the Blazers a little bit of size and physicality down in the paint. After sitting out last year, Gavin Grubbs would give the Blazers a chance to load the court with a speedy lineup. Noah Shouse could also see time in the 5th slot, and give the Blazers some additional outside shooting.
Javion Brown, Lemar Northington, and Tomas Duncan could also see growth in their roles for the Blazers during the 2021 season.
Without a true center down in the paint, the Blazers will need to be a team that crashes the boards from every position. William Bryan led the Blazers on the glass last season with nearly six boards per contest.
Consistency could be a big factor for UHA in the COVID delayed 2021 season. Several games last year, the Blazers got off to slow starts, only to have to try and dig themselves out of a hole that had gotten too deep. When they were clicking, they could play with anyone. Getting that “clicking” to be more consistent will be key to the Blazers making a big run this year.
UHA will once again be looking to return to Richmond in the All A Classic. Their opening round regional All A game could be a stern test, as the Blazers will have to take on Travis Perry and the rest of the Lyon County Lyons in the opening round of the 2nd Region All A, on the Lyons home floor.
As for their schedule, after only four home games last season, the Blazers will get to spend a little more time this year in the friendly confines of Blazer Gym. UHA is slated to have at least ten games on their home court, and three more inside Christian County.
In addition to their tough district matchups with Hoptown and Christian County, the Blazers will face McCracken County (twice), Paducah Tilghman, Lyon County, Marshall County, Murray, Madisonville-North Hopkins, Caldwell County, Webster County, Henderson County, Crittenden County, and Greenwood.
UHA finished the 2019-2020 season at 15-14, falling to Webster County in the 2nd Region quarterfinals.
YourSportsEdge.Com spoke with Coach Grant Shouse about this year’s edition of the University Heights Academy Blazers.
