After struggling a bit coming down the stretch of the 2018-2019 season, the UHA Lady Blazers will be looking to close out stronger and contend for the 8th District title in 2019-2020. UHA stood at 12-6 after their 2nd Region All A championship last year. However, the Lady Blazers had their troubles coming down to the end of the season, finishing 1-8 the rest of the way. However, they did nearly upend Hopkinsville in the opening round of the 8th District tournament, falling 52-49.
First year head coach Derrick Hickman took over the Lady Blazer program after Taylor Sparks stepped down following the 2018-2019 campaign. Hickman takes over a roster that has a solid blend of returning experience and upcoming young talent.
The core of this year’s team will center around returning seniors Lily Hendricks and Meghan Adams. The pair combined to account for more than 50 percent of the Lady Blazers scoring last season. Hendricks averaged 14 points per game, while Adams averaged 10.3. Both were factors on the glass as well, with Adams leading the team at 7.6 rebounds per game, while Hendricks added 4.4 boards per contest.
An x-factor this season could be the addition of Clarissa Miller. Miller, who excelled on the volleyball court this season for UHA, could add punch at both the offensive and defensive end of the court, and could be that fiery player that adds more positive emotional energy to the Lady Blazer attack.
Also joining UHA for her senior season is soccer goalie Lainey Burman, who could add some physical presence inside in key moments.
Mallory Rager and Aniah Dailey are the other seniors for the Lady Blazer, and could add experience in the area of depth. Rager is also one of those players who can influence play down in the paint with her strength and the same physical style of play she exhibits on the soccer field.
One area of concern for the Lady Blazers may be outside shooting. Lily Hendricks and junior Brianna Daniel are the only returning players that made more than four 3-pointers last season. Each of them connected on 19 shots from behind the arc.
As for the young, up and coming talent, the first name to keep an eye on this season will be Shiyah Forte. Forte looks to have grown a couple of inches during the off season and is currently listed as a 6-foot 8th grader. Forte saw extensive action last season, playing in 25 of the Lady Blazers 27 games, averaging 3.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Not only does Forte provide size, but she is a more than adequate ball handler as well.
Freshman Amaryia Bass is expected to see more time on the court this season, and watch out for 7th grader Alivia Acree, who coaches believe could provide an impact for UHA this year. Adding more size to the mix is 6-1 8th grader Julia Thomas, who could ultimately develop over her career into a force in the paint for the Lady Blazers.
The defending 2nd Region All A Classic champs ended up with the toughest possible draw they could get in this year’s tourney. In what could be the title game, the Lady Blazers will have to take on Caldwell County in the opening round on the Lady Tigers home floor.
As for the 8th District, the district appears to be as wide open as it has been in several years, so do not be surprised if the Lady Blazers find themselves playing for the title and moving on to the 2nd region tournament for the first time since 2015, when they were 8th District champs.
Coach Hickman looks ahead to the season in the video below.
