Both the UHA Blazers and the Henderson County Colonels entered their game Tuesday night as teams looking to position themselves as one that could be included among the contenders in the 2nd Region looking to dethrone defending champion Lyon County. It was UHA that made the stronger statement in Blazer Gym.
Led by a stifling defensive performance, UHA took the lead for good late in the first quarter and went on to claim an impressive 61-49 win over the Colonels. The defensive effort was especially impressive against Henderson’s leading scorer Gerard Thomas. Thomas came into the game averaging just over 20 points a game, and the Blazer defense allowed him just 8, with only one field goal in his total.
The Blazers rotated defenders on Thomas, with each defending playing up-close defense, even when off ball. The body-to-body approach slowed Thomas down and appeared to have him frustrated as the second half rolled on.
The teams battled back and forth in the opening quarter with five lead changes early. The Blazers would take an 18-15 lead as the quarter ended. The lead would grow to 31-23 by the end of the half.
The Blazers got big halves from Lemar Northington II, Cam Brown, and Elijah Walton. Walton was a big factor on defense in the paint and on the glass.
The UHA defense allowed the Colonels just six points in the third quarter as they inched the lead out to double digits at 40-29.
Henderson made a brief run in the 4th quarter and the Blazers struggled briefly with trying to close things out. But again, that run was ‘brief.’ The Colonels would get as close as six points but that would be it. UHA would knock down free throws and get layups attacking the press as they took the 12 point win.
Another solid performance for Lemar Northington II, who led UHA with 16 points. Elijah Walton finished with 12. Gavin Grubbs and Cam Brown also hit double figures with 10.
Henderson County was led by Lacon McKinney with 14 points. Cooper Davenport added 10 points, eight points below his average.
The Blazers are now 4-1 on the season. They travel to Madisonville Thursday night.
HCHS – 15 8 6 20 — 49
UHA – 18 13 9 21 — 61
Henderson County – McKinney 14, Davenport 10, Thomas 8, Moss 7, Rideout 6, Satterfield 4
UHA – Northington 16, Walton 13, C. Brown 10, Grubbs 10, Thomas 6, J. Brown 4, Quarles 2
