Photo - McCracken County High School Media Team YouTube Page
The University Heights Academy Blazers came charging back, not once, but twice, in the second half of play but came up just a little bit short Thursday evening. The Blazers suffered their first loss of the season falling on the road to McCracken County 71-67.
The Blazer defense came out ready to roll as things got started. UHA limited McCracken to just two field goals in the opening quarter as the Blazers took an 11-8 lead.
The game stayed close through the first half of the second quarter. Then, the Mustangs got on a bit of a roll to close out the half. Three made 3-pointers helped McCracken County take a 31-23 lead into the half.
The Blazers’ outside shooting kept them within shouting distance. Tylin George, Quinton Quarles, and Bryson Northington combined to knock down five shots from behind the arc in the opening half.
The Mustangs came out of the break and extended the lead to double-digits during the third quarter. But, just like recent UHA teams, this bunch is never quite out of the game until the final horn sounds. Led by George, Quarles, and Elijah Walton, the Blazers began clawing their way back into the game. When Tylin George buried a three just ahead of the buzzer to end the quarter, the Blazers were back to within two at 45-43.
The Mustangs looked to be on the verge of putting the game away as the 4th quarter opened. McCracken County scored the first 10 points of the final quarter to extend the lead back out to 55-43. That lead would grow to 13 points at 62-49. But, once again, back came the Blazers.
A key moment in the 4th quarter rally was something you don’t normally see, and that was a six-point trip down the court for the Blazers. Tylin George knocked down a three to make it 62-52. While George’s shot was in the air, there was a foul on McCracken County away from the ball. The Blazers then inbounded the ball to George, who promptly buried another three, giving UHA six points in five seconds and cutting the lead to 62-55.
UHA would get as close as two points, but the Mustangs, who had struggled at the line through the game, made enough free throws late to hold on for the four-point win.
Tylin George led the Blazers with 18 points, all coming on six made 3-pointers. Quinton Quarles added 15 points and Gavin Grubbs finished with 11.
UHA made 10 3-pointers for the night.
McCracken County was led by Connor Miller with 22 points. Jay Martin had 14 and Jackson Klope finished with 11.
University Heights (3-1) will go on the road to take on Henderson County Tuesday night.
UHA — 11 12 20 24 – 67
MCHS — 8 23 14 26 – 71
UHA (3-1) – George 18, Quarles 15, Grubbs 11, Walton 7, Northington 7, Baker 5, Haurett 4
McCracken County (3-1) – Miller 22, Martin 14, Klope 11, Caden Fulcher 10, Jackson 8, Parish 4, Hawes 2
