The University Heights Academy Blazers have been in close games numerous times during the 2021 basketball season, so it was no shock that it happened again Wednesday night in the 8th District championship game.
Senior K.J. Crump went 4 of 4 at the free-throw line in the final 21.8 seconds of overtime to help the Blazers hold off Hopkinsville 64-58 and win their third district championship in the last four years.
The win also avenged a four-point loss to the Tigers a couple of weeks back at Blazer gym.
The game was a battle from the very beginning. Early in the contest, the score was tied at 3-3, 5-5, 8-8, and 10-10. The Blazers finally got a bit of breathing room late in the quarter as they inched their way out to a 16-13 lead.
UHA opened the game in a 2-3 zone, and it appeared to have the Tigers a bit off stride in the first part of the game. The Blazers also were crashing the boards early on, keep Hopkinsville from getting many second-chance point opportunities.
With K.J. Crump bombing away from the outside, and D.J. Quarles taking it to the basket, the Blazers were able to stretch the lead out to nine points early in the 2nd quarter at 22-13. Hopkinsville began to find a few seams in the zone and Reece Jesse, along with Jamarcus Burks brought the Tigers back into the game. The Tigers would close to within one point at 27-26.
UHA then appeared to take firm control of the game, finishing the half on a 10-2 run to take a 37-28 lead at the break. The run included a deep buzzer-beater three by K.J. Crump that felt like a dagger to the Hoptown hopes at the times.
But, as they have shown all through the COVID issues they have dealt with all season long, the Hopkinsville Tigers are indeed a resilient lot. Behind a team effort, the Tigers battled back in the third quarter. Hopkinsville would eventually tie the game at 44-44. The Tigers would hold a 49-48 lead when the quarter came to an end.
The 4th quarter was a pressure cooker, with each team looking to control the tempo and get the momentum on their sideline. There were three lead changes in the quarter and two ties, the last coming at 56-56. Hoptown had the ball in the waning seconds, but UHA’s defensive pressure never allowed the Tigers to get off a good look at the basket. The Blazers rebounded a missed shot as the horn sounded sending the game into overtime.
UHA scored the first four points of the overtime to take the lead, with Crump’s late free throws sealing the district title for the Blazers.
The Blazers were led by K.J. Crump with 24 points. D.J. Quarles added 12 points. Amani McGee also reached double figures with 10.
For Hopkinsville, Reece Jesse topped the scoring column with 15. Daisjaun Mercer finished with 12. Jamarcus Burks added 10 points for the Tigers.
One note from the first half, former Christian County Colonel Olajuwon White saw his first action since transferring across town. White entered the game with 4:05 to go in the first half and would score two points. White did not see game action in the 2nd half of play.
UHA improves to 12-9 and will enter the 2nd Region tournament next week as a district champion, which, in this COVID year of 2021 means the Blazers will host the district runner-up of the 5th, 6th, or 7th District, Monday night at Blazer Gym.
Hopkinsville drops to 6-4. The Tigers will play their opening regional tournament game on the road at the winner of the 5th, 6th, or 7th District.
The regional draw is set to take place Saturday morning during a virtual meeting.
UHA — 16 21 11 8 8 – 64
HHS — 13 15 21 7 2 – 58
University Heights (12-9) – Crump 24, Quarles 12, McGee 10, Grubbs 8, Bryan 4, Braxton 4, Shouse 2
Hopkinsville (6-4) – Jesse 15, Mercer 12, Burks 10, Watts 8, McKnight 8, Cabiness 3, White 2
