YSE File Photo
A cold shooting day in the desert was the undoing for the University Heights Academy Blazers in the second day of the Jerry Tarkanian Classic Tuesday in Las Vegas. The Blazers struggled to find the basket and dropped a 58-51 decision to Maranatha High School in the quarterfinals of the winner’s bracket in the Gatorade Division.
UHA trailed at the break 31-27 as the Minutemen knocked down five shots from behind the arc in the first half. Maranatha was then able to fend off any Blazer comeback over the final 16 minutes of the game.
The Blazers were led by Quinton Quarles with 14 points. Tylin George also hit double-figures with 12. Gavin Grubbs added 9. Matt Haurett and Elijah Walton finished with seven points each.
Maranatha was led by Nick Khatchikian, Daniel Nwabudike, and Chris Smith with 12 points each.
University Heights (5-3) moves into the 5th place bracket Wednesday evening, where the Blazers will take on Yuma Catholic, who lost to Fountain Fort Carson.
University Heights – Quarles 14, George 12, Grubbs 9, Haurett 7, Walton 7, Pollard 1, Baker 1
Maranatha – Khatchikian 12, Nwabudike 12, Smith 12, Mahmood 9, Cotton 6, Hamilton 3, Kirk 3
