Could it be the University Heights Academy Blazers are starting to get their pieces in place at just the right time. After battling injuries, illness, and other issues since the beginning of the preseason, the Blazers look to be finding their stride.
Friday night, Tylin George scored 12 of his 31 points in the final quarter as the Blazers pulled away from the Christian County Colonels 68-56 for a big 8th District win.
The win sends the 8th District standings into a 3-way tie at the top with Hopkinsville, Christian County, and UHA all at 3-1 in the district standings. UHA has a win over Christian County, who has a win over Hopkinsville, who has a win over University Heights.
With the RPI rankings, it looks like Hopkinsville will end up with the top seed for the district tournament, thus setting up a rematch between the Colonels and the Blazers in a loser goes home for the summer semifinal game in the 8th District tournament.
Both teams came out a little tight at the start with some early ball handling miscues and some open looks that would not fall. But, both came out playing hard from end to end. The game was tied early at 2-2 and 7-7.
The Blazers had a small run late in the quarter keyed by Tylin George that put them up 12-7. However, Christian County responded by scoring the final four points of the quarter to cut the UHA lead to 12-11.
There was good news for the Blazers in the opening quarter as starting point guard KeShawn Moore returned to the court with 2:20 left in the opening quarter for his first action since he broke his leg in the first quarter of UHA’s first preseason scrimmage.
Tylin George had a big first quarter for the Blazers with 9 points. Kam Williams and Rahsean Stevenson combined to score 9 for the Colonels.
UHA opened the second quarter by pushing the lead out to four points at 17-13.
NaDarien Rowe and Rahsean Stevenson led the Colonels as they battled back to even the game at 19-19.
Tylin George made one of two free throws to give the Blazers the lead back at 20-19 and then Christian County made a move to the lead. With Stevenson leading the way, the Colonels went on a 10-3 spurt that put them up 29-23. The six-point lead would be where things stood at the half with Christian County up 32-26.
Christian County’s physical defensive pressure in the second quarter gave the Blazers some problems as the Colonels were able to create turnovers that led to points. And, it could have been worse, if not for a couple of deep threes from Elijah Walton.
Rahsean Stevenson was controlling the lane in the opening half, finishing with 16 points at the break.
For UHA, Tylin George was having another one of ‘those’ nights with 17 at the half.
Christian County opened the second half with a couple of baskets from NaDarien Rowe as the Colonels nudged the lead out to 37-28 and appeared to have things rolling in their direction in terms of momentum.
Then the Blazers got a ‘Luckey’ spark, Ryan Luckey that is. Ryan Luckey knocked down a three from the left side that kicked off a Blazer comeback run. With Luckey and Elijah Walton leading the charge, UHA went on a 14-2 run that gave the Blazers the lead at 42-39 late in the third.
Christian County did not let the Blazers steal the momentum away, however. The Colonels battled back to even the game at 43-43 heading into the final quarter. Rahsean Stevenson made two free throws with 0.4 seconds to go in the quarter to tie things up.
Ryan Luckey and Elijah Walton combined for 14 points in the quarter as the Blazers battled their way back into the game. Christian County did a much better job on Tylin George, holding him to just two points in the quarter. But, George would stay silent over the final eight minutes.
The Colonels got quick baskets from Rahsean Stevenson and Kam Williams to open the fourth and take a 47-43 lead. UHA then started attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. An 8-1 run put the Blazers back in front 51-48.
Kam Williams came up with some big plays for the Colonels as Christian County fought its way back to the lead at 52-51. But Christian County had no answer to Tylin George coming down the stretch as the UHA junior, along with a couple of key plays from Elijah Walton, was able to spark the Blazers to another spurt that gave them a 60-53 lead.
After a Christian County basket cut the lead to 60-55, Ryan Luckey delivered a dagger three from the right corner with 1:19 to make the lead 63-55 and effectively close the door on any Colonel rally.
In addition to the 31-point night from Tylin George, the Blazers got 19 points and several key rebounds from Elijah Walton. Ryan Luckey ended up with 10 points, including three important shots from behind the arc.
Rahsean Stevenson, who was almost unstoppable in the lane, led the way for the Colonels with 23 points. Kam Williams added 14, while NaDarien Rowe also hit double figures with 13.
The win improves UHA to 7-11 overall. The Blazers are back in action Tuesday night when they go across town to take on Hopkinsville.
Christian County drops to 5-20. The Colonels are off until next Saturday when they will host the Bardstown Tigers.
