It was not exactly the way that the University Heights Academy Blazers had hoped to go into Christmas. Louisville Central’s Jenuel Aquino came up with a steal and Kam Jones followed up Aquino’s missed layup in the final seconds of the game as the Yellow Jackets completed a second-half rally and upended the Blazers 60-58 in the City of Hopkinsville Toyota Holiday Classic.
The play by Aquino and Jones capped off a rally that saw Central come from ten points down late in the 3rd quarter to pick up their second win of the Holiday Classic.
Throughout most of the first half, the game looked like it would come down to the wire. UHA would lead 16-15 at the end of the first quarter. It was a quarter that saw the Blazers’ offense sparked by defensive pressure, while the Yellow Jackets were able to hang around due to second-chance opportunities. UHA had good balance in the opening quarter, as seven different Blazers found the scoring column.
The second quarter was much like the first. There were several lead changes over the second eight minutes of the game. UHA would get just a little breathing room late and take a 34-30 lead into the locker room. Javion Brown, Lemar Northington, and Gavin Grubbs all had big quarters for the Blazers.
Coming out to start the second half, the Blazers made a move to assert themselves. UHA opened the third quarter with a 7-2 run to move the lead out to 41-32. The lead would grow to 46-36 late in the quarter. But, as Central scored the final five points of the quarter to cut the lead in half at 46-41, you could feel that old “Uncle Mo” may have been about to change seats.
Central continued their rally as the final quarter got underway. The Yellow Jackets would catch the Blazers at 52-52 with 3:24 left in the game.
Cameron Brown converted an “and one” for UHA just 15 seconds later to put the Blazers up 55-52.
In sort of a forewarning of what might be yet to come, a steal and layup by Central cut the lead to 55-54. The Yellow Jackets would then add a score from underneath the basket to take the lead for the first time in the second half at 56-55 with 1:32 left.
Gavin Grubbs drilled a three from deep in the corner to put UHA back up 58-56 with 45 seconds left.
The Yellow Jackets converted one of two free throws to trim the lead to one with 21.2 seconds left.
Central’s 1-2-1-1 press, which had caused the Blazers issues down the stretch during the Yellow Jacket rally, then led to the game’s biggest play by Aquino and Jones. Central would add one free throw with .8-seconds left for the final two point margin.
Gavin Grubbs led a balanced Blazer attack with 14 points. Lemar Northington and Cameron Brown added 8 points each.
Central was paced by Jabdel Colon, who scored 15 points, nine of them coming in the fourth quarter. Josh Bivens also reached double figures with 12.
UHA drops to 2-6 with the loss. The Blazers will head to the Henderson County holiday event after Christmas.
Central improves to 5-5 on the year. The Yellow Jackets will take part in the City of Middletown Holiday Classic after Christmas.
LCHS — 15 15 11 19 – 60
UHA — 16 18 12 12 – 58
Louisville Central (5-5) – Colon 15, Bivens 12, Jones 9, Rowan 8, Aquino 5, Franco 4, Davis 4, Henderson 3
UHA (2-6) – Grubbs 14, L. Northington 8, C. Brown 8, J. Brown 6, Thomas 6, Quarles 6, Walton 6, Wallace 4
