In a classic game with plenty of big plays made by some of the best players in the 2nd Region, it was a reserve for the University Heights Academy Blazers who made the biggest shot of the night Friday in the boys’ 8th District championship game. Devin Cherry’s baseline jumper with 6.2 seconds to go in triple overtime was the game-winner as University Heights outlasted Christian County 82-81 in front of a loud and raucous crowd in Lyle Dunbar Gym.
Christian County would get off a game-winning attempt but Jordan Miles’ shot was off the mark and a rebound putback was just after the horn as a wild celebration erupted on the UHA bench and among the Blazer fans in the stands.
Cherry’s game-winner capped off a 5-0 run to close out the game for the Blazers, who looked to be in trouble, down 81-77 with less than three minutes left in the third overtime. A Quinton Quarles 3-point play cut the lead to one with less than two minutes to go. The Blazers got the chance to win the game thanks to a huge steal from Kyler Baker.
The start of the game turned out to be a good predictor of what was to come. A first quarter that saw four lead changes finished with Christian County holding a 16-15 lead. Both teams were pushing the ball up and down the floor and playing pressure defense as the energy level was off the charts, both on the floor and in the stands.
The Colonels came out quickly to open the second quarter. Led by the trio of Jordan Miles, Theo Quarles, and Prince Northington, Christian County ripped off a 10-2 run and extended the lead to 26-17. The lead would soon reach 12 points at 31-19, and it appeared the Blazers were in danger of having the Colonels run them back to the other side of North Drive just like they did back on February 3.
But there would be no blowout in this championship game. The Blazers mounted a furious 16-6 charge to get themselves right back in the thick of things, cutting the lead to 37-35 at the half. Gavin Grubbs and Elijah Walton had big parts in the comeback.
The Blazers got to the lead as the third quarter got started but Derrell Bateman did not let it stay that way for long. The Christian County big man, who had been limited to just two points in the first half found his stride and got the Colonels back in front. When the third quarter ended, the Christian County lead was back up to 51-46.
The momentum of that finish nearly finished off the Blazers as the fourth quarter opened. Jordan Miles and JaSean Riley combined to drive the train for the Colonels as the lead grew to 61-51 and the Christian County section could almost feel a district championship.
But this bunch of Blazers has shown, on more than one occasion, that unless you bury them, they are never out of the game. A 9-0 run drew the Blazers to within a single point at 62-61. JaSean Riley hit two free throws for Christian County with 1:05 left to make it 64-61. A Gavin Grubbs putback and it was 64-63. Riley bagged two more free throws with 32.6 seconds left to make it 66-63. After the Blazers missed a pair of free throws with 15.8 seconds left, it looked as if it would be the Colonels’ night.
But, the Blazers would get the ball back and Quinton Quarles drained a long three from the right side to tie the game with 2 seconds left and force the first overtime.
Both teams got their chances in the overtime but could not convert and take control of the game. A Derrell Bateman heave at the horn was off and we headed to the second overtime all knotted up at 70-70.
In double overtime, Christian County again looked to have things going their way after back-to-back steals and layups from Jordan Miles, giving the Colonels a 76-72 lead with 2:00 to go. Trailing 77-73, the Blazers Quinton Quarles struck again. Another deep three cut the lead to 77-76, Quarles would then make the game-tying free throw with 35.4 seconds to go that forced the third overtime of the game.
Quinton Quarles led four Blazers in double figures with 20 points. Elijah Walton had a big night with 19 points. Gavin Grubbs scored 18 before fouling out early in the third overtime. Kyler Baker ended up with 13.
Jordan Miles was the top scorer for Christian County with 27 points. Prince Northington added 15. Derrell Bateman hit for 14 points, all but two of them coming in the second half of play.
University Heights moves to 23-6 on the year, while Christian County drops to 15-17.
Both teams will now advance to the 2nd Region tournament which will get started Wednesday night at Hopkinsville High School.
UHA — 15 20 11 20 4 7 5 – 82
CCHS — 16 21 14 15 4 7 4 – 81
University Heights – Quarles 20, Walton 19, Grubbs 18, Baker 13, Hauret 5, Cherry 5, Northington 2
Christian County – Miles 27, Northington 15, Bateman 14, Riley 12, Quarles 11, Bigbee 2