While University Heights Academy is making their first Sweet 16 appearance in a decade, their first-round opponent will be at Rupp Arena Thursday for the third time in five years. UHA meets 10th Region champion Campbell County Thursday at noon (ET) in the first game of the second day of first round games.
UHA (23-7) has won 10 of 12 games since an early exit from the All-A Classic State Tournament in January. Their success during the streak has been built around balanced scoring and rebounding. While junior Kyky Tandy has topped the team in scoring at 30.5 points a game, Drew McGowan (11.3) and Quan Hollowell (11.6) have joined him in double figures, while freshman K.J. Crump is scoring nearly nine points a game.
The Blazers are hoping to spread the floor and get into transition which has helped them score 75 points a game.
The Blazers face a Campbell County (28-5) team that has four starters scoring in double figures. The main matchup problem for UHA will be 6-4 junior Reid Jolly, who leads the Camels in scoring at 18.1 points a game and a shade under 10 rebounds. Drew Wilson (10.1 ppg.) and Tanner Clos (15.5 ppg.) both stand 6-2, meaning the Blazers will have to work hard on the glass. Senior Joel Gray, who is playing with a back injury, averages just under 15 points a game.
Campbell County has never won a state tournament game in five previous trips to the Sweet 16. The Camels carry an eight-game winning streak into Thursday’s game. One of their five losses came to another team in the Sweet 16, Covington Catholic.
UHA’s last win in the state tournament came in 2005 when the Blazers advanced to the semifinals.
