More experienced but few in number is the story for the UHA Lady Blazers as the 2022-2023 basketball season gets underway. Again this year, University Heights will try and navigate the waters of the 2nd Region with a roster that has some talented players, but could use more numbers to add depth as the run of the season takes its toll.
One of the problems the Lady Blazers have faced over the last few seasons is the complete lack of fall athletes coming over to the basketball court for the winter season, which for smaller schools can be an issue. The 2019-2020 roster for Lady Blazer basketball had at least five players that spent time on the volleyball court or the soccer field for UHA. That number for this season is zero.
While they are few in numbers, there are some players with game experience and game skills for the Lady Blazers.
Leading scorer Alecia Davis is back for her sophomore season. The UHA point guard averaged 15.2 points per game last season. She led the team in made field goals and was second in made 3-pointers. Davis has a high-energy motor and is not afraid to attack the basket any time she finds the opportunity
Senior Amaryia Bass appeared in every game last season, averaging 6.8 points a contest. For the Lady Blazers to make some steps forward, Bass needs to push that scoring average up to the double figures line.
LeeLee Love is a player to watch for UHA this season. As a freshman last year,
Love averaged 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. If she continues to progress, it would give the Lady Blazers an inside scoring option that would help open up things on the outside for Davis and Bass.
Aliviah Acree is an athletic wing who provides the Lady Blazers with some energy and can help UHA get up and down the floor. If she can get more of her shots to fall, then defenses will have to be more honest when the Lady Blazers have the ball.
With the short roster, the Lady Blazers will need freshmen Emily Dilday, Nahari Hoosier, and Kennedy Quarles to mature quickly and become valuable parts of the rotation.
The Lady Blazers like to turn up the defensive heat, but numbers will force them to do that selectively so that they don’t run out of gas in the 4th quarters of games.
In addition to their 8th District contests, the Lady Blazers will face off against competition that includes Caldwell County, Lyon County, Grayson County, Union County, Hopkins Central, Trigg County, Paducah Tilghman, and Todd Central.
The Lady Blazers officially open the season Tuesday night when they host Caldwell County at Blazer Gym.
