During holiday tournament time, teams often have to play games earlier in the day than normal, sometimes even before lunch. And, there are times when teams in those games have trouble getting started.
Whether it was the early day start, or something else, the UHA Blazers could not quite find their running gear in the early part of the game against Webster County Tuesday. The good news for Blazer faithful is that once the Blazers did find their footing there was not much Webster County could do to stop it.
With their defense igniting a big third-quarter run, UHA broke open a close game at the half and cruised to a 63-53 win over the Trojans in a consolation bracket semifinal in the First United Bank Holiday Classic at Madisonville-North Hopkins. The second half of the game was not quite as close as the final score would indicate as Webster reserves knocked down a couple of late threes.
The first half was not a particularly stylish half of play. Both teams were getting after it on defense, which led to the other having problems with turnovers and getting good looks on offense. Plus, there were moments where both the Blazers and the Trojans looked to be out of sync on offense.
UHA took the early 7-2 lead, but how they got to the lead was not especially pleasing to Coach Melvin Brown. Even with the five-point lead, Brown elected to let his starters spend some extended time in the nice padded folding chairs that comprise the bench at Madisonville-North Hopkins.
Webster County was able to use a seven-point run to take an 11-9 lead late in the opening quarter. The Blazers though would score the final four points of the quarter to take a 13-11 lead. UHA got some solid minutes from their reserves in the opening quarter, especially from Devin Cherry and Kyler Baker.
With the UHA starters back in the game, the Blazers played with the lead for most of the second quarter. With the game tied briefly at 15-15, University Heights scored seven straight to take a 22-15 lead. The Blazers would be up at the break 25-20.
The Blazers continued to try and find their stride as the second half got underway. Webster County hit UHA with an 8-0 run to open the second half as the Blazers appeared to try and force some things offensively trying to get themselves started. Turns out, maybe all the Blazers needed for their mid-afternoon spark was for the Trojans to make that run.
With Webster County up 28-25, UHA found its offensive legs. Behind strong play from Lemar Northington, Elijah Walton, and Javion Brown, the Blazers finished out the quarter by outscoring Webster County 23-4 to take a 48-32 lead after three. During that run, the Blazers did not allow the Trojans to score a single field goal.
The UHA lead would reach as many as 20 in the fourth quarter before the Blazers settled in for the final ten-point margin. Webster County reserves hit two three-pointers in the final thirty seconds to make the score a bit more respectable.
With a big second-half effort, Lemar Northington led UHA with 15 points. Elijah Walton added 13 points. Javion Brown scored ten in the second half to finish with 12 points on the day for the Blazers.
Webster County was led by Deshawn Murphy with 16 points. Evan Michalek added 13, while Luke Garrard finished with 10.
UHA improves to 4-3 with the win. They are back on the court at noon Wednesday in the 5th place game of the tournament.
WCHS – 11 9 12 21 — 53
UHA – 13 12 23 15 — 63
Webster County – Murphy 16, Michalek 13, Garrard 10, Alstadt 6, Austin 5, Starks Scott 3
University Heights – Northington 15, Walton 13, J. Brown 12, Hauret 6, Baker 6, Grubbs 5, Cherry 4, Quarles 2
