The University Heights Academy boys’ basketball team traveled to Henderson County Tuesday night, holding on for a 79-73 win over the Colonels. The victory is the Blazers’ third in a row and fourth in five outings, moving their record to 17-7 on the season. Henderson has now lost two straight after winning 3 in a row, leaving it 0-2 against 8th District competition and 13-12 overall.
The Colonels jumped out to a 27-19 lead after the first quarter, powered by 8 points each from seniors Cartel Gilbert and Isaac Anglin. Junior guard Kyky Tandy matched them with 8 points of his own to keep the Blazers within striking distance.
UHA turned up the defensive pressure in the second period, holding the Colonels to 7 points. Tandy added 8 more of the Blazers’ 19, giving them a 38-34 lead at halftime. Tandy’s 16 led the team, followed by junior forward TaQuon Hollowell with 8, and junior guard Drew McGowan with 5. Gilbert and Anglin couldn’t add to their first-quarter totals, but led the Colonels at the break with 8 each.
Freshman guard KJ Crump stepped up with 6 third-quarter points for the Blazers, but Simpson responded with 8 for the Colonels, and both teams posted 15. UHA maintained its 4-point lead at 53-49 with eight minutes to play. With the game in the balance, Tandy erupted for 17 in the final quarter, including nine of ten from the free throw line. Crump continued his strong play with 7 more points down the stretch, and the Blazers held on for the 79-73 win.
Tandy’s 35 paced the Blazers, joined in double figures by Crump with 16, and McGowan with 11. Hollowell finished with 8, all in the first half, and senior forward Malik Lovan scored 5. Senior Kwun Dorsey and freshman DJ Quarles both had a basket. For the Colonels, Simpson’s big second half gave him a team-leading 16, followed closely by Gilbert with 15, senior guard Jadal Fletcher with 14, and Anglin with 10.
University Heights wraps up the regular season on Friday, with Webster County (16-9) making the trip to Hopkinsville.
