Defensive pressure and good ball security were the order of the day for the University Heights Academy Blazers Saturday afternoon. The Blazers rallied from a double-digit first quarter deficit to fend off a big effort from the Crittenden County Rockets as UHA picked up the 61-54 win.
The game marked the first game for Crittenden County since February 2nd, and was only their second game of the month.
The Rockets did not open the game like a team that had been off for nearly three weeks. Behind the outside shooting of Travis Champion and Gabe Mott, Crittenden County blasted out to an early 20-9 lead. With D.J. Quarles heating it up from the outside, the Blazers battled back to trim the lead to 24-18 at the end of the quarter. Quarles hit for 11 points in the opening stanza.
The first quarter was played at a frenetic pace, with both teams pushing the ball up the floor and playing pressure defense on the other end. That pace would slow down significantly after the first eight minutes.
UHA’s defense would limit the Rockets to just eight points in the second quarter, as the Blazers battled back to within 32-29 at the half.
UHA forced Crittenden County into seven first half turnovers, while only having three of their own. The Blazers out front pressure caused issues for the Rockets most of the afternoon.
In addition to Quarles’ effort in the first half, the Blazers got big efforts for Will Bryan and K.J. Crump.
The Blazer defense continued to set the tone as the second half got underway, and UHA began to run more of the spread offense that has been so effective finishing out the past several games. For the second straight quarter, the Blazers held the Rockets to just eight points as they moved to the front and took a 43-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
UHA could never quite get the Rockets put away for good, and the Rockets could never quite get over the hump. Crittenden County would get as close as one at 55-54. However, the Blazers got key free throws from K.J. Crump and big defensive plays at the other end, as UHA scored the final six points of the game to hold on for the seven-point win.
The Blazers were led by D.J. Quarles, who finished the day with 21 points. K.J. Crump also reached double figures with 18.
A big day for Crittenden County’s Preston Turley, who wound up with 19 points. Gabe Mott was the other Rocket to reach double figures with ten.
The starters in the game scored all but three points. UHA’s Gavin Grubbs was the only player for either team to score that was not in the starting lineup.
With the win, which was their fourth in the last five games, UHA improves to 5-6 on the season. The Blazers get ready for a big week ahead, as they will host McCracken County Tuesday, and then square off against Christian County on Thursday and Saturday.
Crittenden County falls to 6-5 and will travel to Lyon County Tuesday for a huge 5th District contest.
CCHS — 24 8 8 14 – 54
UHA — 18 11 14 18 – 61
Crittenden County (6-5) – Turley 19, Mott 10, Boone 9, Morgeson 8, Champion 8
UHA (5-6) – D.J. Quarles 21, Crump 18, McGee 8, Bryan 8, Braxton 3, Grubbs 3
