The last time the UHA Blazers and Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons met on the basketball court, the Blazers saw a late lead slip away and saw their coach sent “to the showers” before the game was over. Saturday evening at Blazer Gym, the Blazers saw the Maroons cut into a big 4th quarter lead, but this time they kept the lead and their coach on the sidelines as UHA prevailed over Madisonville-North Hopkins 67-58 in a battle of 2nd Region contenders.
The Blazers held a 20 point lead early in the final quarter, only to see the Maroons close to within six. But clutch free throw shooting and stout defense enabled UHA to hold the Maroons at bay over the final moments of the game.
The game opened like it would be a nip and tuck contest all the way through. There were two ties and five lead changes at the beginning of the first quarter. With the score tied 8-8, the Blazers used a 6-0 spurt to go up 14-8. By the end of the quarter, the UHA lead was 17-10.
The Blazers were connecting from deep early on, as they knocked down three 3-pointers in the opening quarter on their way to the seven-point lead.
The Maroons battled their way back into the contest as the second quarter got underway. Getting big minutes from Kale Gaither, Ashton Gaines, and Landon Cline, Madisonville opened the second quarter on a 13-5 run to take a 23-22 lead.
UHA, using three-point shooting from Gavin Grubbs and D.J. Quarles roared right back. A 16-6 blitz put the Blazers back out in front, 38-29 by the time the half ended.
University Heights came out in the 2nd half changing their offensive style from the early part of the game, and it knocked the Maroons off their stride for much of the third quarter. The Blazers spread the court and looked for opportunities to drive to the basket. UHA found good looks at the basket, and the slower pace hindered the Maroons’ offensive efforts as well.
A 7-0 run to end the quarter had the Blazers up by 18 at 53-35, and it seemed like all the momentum was dressed in green and gold.
A UHA basket to open the final quarter extended the lead to 20, and the Blazer fans in attendance were roaring their approval.
However, the two-time defending 2nd Region champions and their new head coach Jon Newton would not go away just quite that easy. Madisonville ripped off a quick 14-0 run, and suddenly a 20 point lead had evaporated into a six-point lead in what seemed like seconds.
But on this Saturday night, there would be no comeback like there had been earlier in the season at Madisonville. The Blazers got key rebounds, forced big turnovers, and knocked down the free throws they needed to hold on for the win. And six points would be as close as the Maroons could get in the waning moments of the game.
K.J. Crump, D.J. Quarles, and Amani McGee combined to go 9-12 at the free throw line when it mattered the most.
K.J. Crump topped the Blazer attack with 25 points. D.J. Quarles added 13 points, including three made 3-pointers. Amani McGee also reached double figures with 10.
Kale Gaither led the Maroons with 21 points. Ashton Gaines chipped in with 13. Madisonville got a big boost off the bench from Landon Cline, who also had 13.
UHA improves to 3-6 for the year. The Blazers are set to return to action Tuesday night when they host Caldwell County.
Madisonville-North Hopkins falls to 5-3. The Maroons are set to host Evangel Christian Tuesday night.
MNHHS — 10 19 6 23 – 58
UHA — 17 21 15 14 – 67
Madisonville-North Hopkins (5-3) – Gaither 21, Cline 13, Gaines 13, Tow 11
University Heights (3-6) – Crump 25, Quarles 13, McGee 10, Grubbs 7, Bryan 6, Shouse 3, Braxton 3