Early in their scrimmage against Louisville Moore Sunday afternoon, it looked as if the University Heights Academy Blazers might overload the scoreboard and send the Mustangs on their way with a big loss and a long trip back to Jefferson County. However, a key injury ended up knocking the Blazers off their stride and they had to turn back a big second half effort from Moore to get the 83-71 win, taking three of the four quarters in the scrimmage.
The Blazers came out with the defensive pressure on high and scored the first 17 points of the scrimmage as the Mustangs had trouble getting the ball into their offensive end. UHA would go on to take the opening quarter 27-9.
However, late in the quarter sophomore point guard KeShawn Moore, who transferred in from Todd County Central during the summer, had his leg rolled up on during a scrum going for the ball. Moore would leave the scrimmage and then the gym with what appeared to be a lower leg injury and did not return.
With Moore out of the game, the Blazers had trouble getting their offensive rhythm back, giving the Mustangs the chance to stay in the game.
The second quarter was much closer as the Blazers took a 2-point win at 18-16.
Louisville Moore had its best quarter of the afternoon in the third. With the UHA offense trying to find its footing, the Mustangs outscored the Blazers 24-14 in the third quarter.
By the 4th quarter, the Blazers appeared to have gotten their legs under them without KeShawn Moore running the point. UHA outscored the Mustangs in the final varsity quarter 24-22 to finish out the scrimmage.
A big day for Elijah Walton, who finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Tylin George added 26 points and 10 boards. George knocked down 4 shots from behind the 3-point line. Bryson Northington also hit double digits in scoring with 15.
In addition to the injury for KeShawn Moore, free throw shooting was a concern for the Blazers in the scrimmage. The Blazers hit just 16 of 31 at the free throw line.
UHA will play its final preseason scrimmage Tuesday at 5:00pm when the Blazers host Russellville.
