The last time the University Heights Academy Blazers ventured across North Drive they were on the wrong side of an 81-59 blowout loss to the Christian County Colonels in the 2020 8th District championship game. While the stakes were not quite the same Thursday night, it was a happier drive back across the road for the Blazers as they knocked off the Colonels 67-56 in the first 8th District game to be played during the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season.
Christian County, playing just its second game in over three weeks, and only 6th game of the season, gave the Blazers all they wanted in the first of two matchups in three nights between the district rivals.
With Amani McGee and K.J. Crump opening hot, the Blazers got out to a 16-12 first quarter lead. Jordan Miles and Bubba Leavell helped keep the Colonels in the game early with a strong effort from the outside.
The Blazers were up 18-15 when they went on a 6-0 run to push the lead out to 24-15, and it appeared like UHA was ready to make the move to take control of the contest. It would not, however, be quite that easy.
Christian County responded by going on a 10-3 run of their own to trim the lead to 27-25. JaSean Riley gave the Colonels some big minutes during the run. UHA took some momentum into the locker room by scoring the final 10 points of the half to take a 37-25 lead.
Turnovers were an issue for the Colonels in the opening sixteen minutes. Christian County handed the ball over a total of 14 times in the first half of play, with several of those leading to quick Blazer baskets.
UHA appeared to be on the verge of putting the game away early in the second half, pushing the lead out to 17 points at 44-27. But, to the Colonels’ credit, they just would not go away and let the Blazers put it on cruise control. By the end of the third, Christian County had battled back to within 49-41.
One of two huge moments in the game came early in the 4th quarter. With UHA leading 51-43, D.J. Quarles came up with a big block down in the paint that led to an “and one” on the other end by K.J. Crump to move the lead out to 54-43. The final dagger came just moments later. With UHA leading 54-48 and running their spread offense, freshman reserve Quinton Quarles came open and drilled a three to push the lead to 57-48.
Christian County could get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.
UHA was led by Amani McGee, who finished the night with 21 points, including 15 in the opening half. K.J. Crump added 15, while D.J. Quarles ended up with 14 points.
Jordan Miles topped the scoresheet for the Colonels with 17 points. Miles knocked down five shots from behind the arc. Bubba Leavell and JaSean Riley also hit double figures with 13 and 12 points respectively.
UHA moves to 6-7 overall and 1-0 in the 8th District. Christian County drops to 0-6 and 0-1.
The same two teams will move across North Drive for a rematch Saturday night in Blazer Gym.
UHA — 16 21 12 18 – 67
CCHS — 12 13 16 15 – 56
University Heights (6-7) – McGee 21, Crump 15, D.J. Quarles 14, Bryan 5, Braxton 4, Q. Quarles 3, Northington 3, Grubbs 2
Christian County (0-6) – Miles 17, Leavell 13, Riley 12, Vaughn 6, Forte 3, Bateman 3, Johnson 2
