The University Heights Academy girls’ basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2nd Region All “A” Tournament with a 76-46 win over the visiting Dawson Springs Lady Panthers on Thursday night. The Lady Blazers have now won three of their last four to improve to 7-9 on the year, while the Lady Panthers slip to 3-12 and have lost four straight.
The first quarter was tight, with the Dawson Springs press creating some turnovers, and junior center Erin Orten and sophomore guard Denisha Randolph both scoring 6 points to lead the Lady Panthers to a 16-14 lead after the first eight minutes.
However, the Lady Blazers caught fire in the second quarter, beginning the period on a 10-2 run capped by a runner from junior guard Alex Juckett with 3:42 to play until halftime. UHA never looked back, finishing the half on a 16-2 run, led by senior guard Anshanique Leavell’s 8 second-quarter points. The Lady Blazers outscored Dawson Springs 26-4 in the frame, with Juckett scoring on a layup on an assist from Leavell with 23 seconds left to take a commanding 40-20 lead into the break.
Leavell, returning after missing the last four games, led the Lady Blazers with 13 first-half points, followed by Juckett’s 10, and 7 from sophomore guard Lily Hendricks. Orten and Randolph both finished with 6 at the half for Dawson Springs, unable to add to their first-quarter totals.
The Lady Blazers continued to play lock-down defense after the break, holding the Lady Panthers to 6 third-quarter points while adding 16 of their own for a 56-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter. With the game in hand, the Blazers subbed freely, but still maintained their 30-point lead and went on to win 76-46.
Leavell led UHA with 23 points, followed by Juckett’s 16 and Hendricks’ 15. Junior forward Aisha Pantiere finished with 6, senior center Naliscya Hall and sophomore center Mallory Rager both had 5, junior forward Anna Fitzpatrick chipped in 4, and junior forward Anna Moore added a basket. Orten finished with 11 to lead the Lady Panthers, with Randolph and junior forward Kaylee Simpson both scoring 8.
With the win, the Lady Blazers advance to the 2nd Region All “A” semifinals where they will face the Caldwell County Lady Tigers (10-5) in Princeton on Saturday. It will be the second meeting of the season for the teams, as the Lady Tigers squeaked out a 55-52 win at UHA on December 15th.
