The final score of Tuesday night’s 2nd Region All A Classic game between the University Heights Academy Blazers and the Heritage Christian Academy Warriors in no way indicates just how hard the Blazers had to work to survive a full-out effort from the Warriors and advance to the regional semifinals Friday night in Marion.
While many may have thought going into the contest that it would simply be a matter of the final margin, the HCA Warriors had other plans. Ultimately, UHA made some timely defensive plays and the Warriors appeared to get just a little leg-weary as the Blazers took a 63-42 win at Heritage Christian.
Early in the final quarter, the Warriors had the momentum and trailed the Blazers just 41-36. But University Heights took advantage of a couple of Warrior turnovers and suddenly the lead was out to double-digits. The Blazers also knocked down their free throws to extend the lead and seal the win. UHA made 12 free throws in the final quarter.
The tone of the game was set early as the Warriors made it clear they would not go down in the game without a fight. A great example of that was on a play where UHA’s Gavin Grubbs was pursuing a Warrior ballhandler and ran headlong into a screen set by Landon Wells and ended up on the deck.
With Grubbs, Quinton Quarles, and Kyler Baker leading the way, the Blazers held a 16-10 lead after the opening quarter.
The Blazers held Heritage to just two made field goals in the second quarter and appeared to be gaining the momentum as they went into the locker room up 26-18. UHA held the lead despite having trouble finding the basket and seeing the Warriors stand toe-to-toe with them on the glass.
HCA freshman Layton Giltner put on a display in the third quarter that indicates he is an up-and-coming big man in the 2nd Region. Giltner crashed the boards and scored 8 points in the third as the Warriors outscored UHA 13-11 in the quarter to cut the lead to 37-31. Giltner got timely help from Jason Leek and Landon Wells.
Down the stretch however, UHA had enough to turn back the upset bid and pull away for the 21-point win, getting big final quarters from Kyler Baker, Elijah Walton, Gavin Grubbs, and Quinton Quarles as they advanced to the All A regional semifinals.
Kyler Baker had a big night down in the lane for the Blazers with 16 points. Quinton Quarles added 12, while Tylin George finished with 11. The Blazers never did find their shooting eye from behind the arc, hitting just three 3-pointers, all coming in the first half of play.
The Warriors were led by Layton Giltner with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jason Leek also hit double figures with 11.
UHA improves to 10-3 with the win and will take on Dawson Springs in the first semifinal Friday night at Crittenden County. Tip is set for 6pm.
Heritage Christian drops to 6-5 with the loss. The Warriors go across town Thursday night to take on Christian County.
UHA — 16 10 11 26 – 63
HCA — 10 8 13 11 – 42
University Heights – Baker 16, Quarles 12, George 11, Hauret 8, Walton 8, Grubbs 6, Northington 2
Heritage Christian – Giltner 14, Leek 11, Bolinger 6, L. Wells 6, Higgins 5
