They say that defense wins championships, so you can say “D”, and you can say the UHA Blazers are All A champs for 2019 season. Their nemesis has been overcome and the UHA Blazers brought home the big trophy Sunday afternoon. After losing to Lexington Christian in the first round of the 2018 All A Classic, and again this season in the opening round of the King of the Bluegrass, the University Heights Blazers “slayed their dragon” Sunday afternoon by beating the Eagles 52-40 in the championship game of the 2019 Boys All A Classic state tournament in front of a raucous crowd at McBrayer Arena.
The win marked the end of a three game losing streak to LCA, with the last previous win having come in overtime in the 2010 All A Classic.
The game started off like the battle everyone was expecting. Kyle Rode was on the attack for the Eagles as expected, but it turned out to be Taquan Hollowell delivering the offense for the Blazers in the opening eight minutes. Hollowell had eight in the first quarter, and that was with guarding Rode on the defensive end. Drew McGowan added five more for the Blazers, as UHA and LCA battled to a 13-13 tie after one.
Rode picked up right where he left off in the first quarter as the second got underway. LCA moved out to a 19-17 lead with 5:25 to go in the half. As he had the night before, Coach Grant Shouse shifted Drew McGowan to the other team’s main scorer during the 2nd quarter, and from the 5:25 mark on, Rode managed just three points. Meanwhile, the Blazers went on a 6-0 run to take a 23-19 lead with 4:51 to go in the half. For the Blazers in the second quarter, it was more of Hollowell, and then Tandy got things going to score seven points in the quarter, as UHA led at the half 27-23.
Not much changed in the 3rd quarter as the Blazers continued to apply pressure defense in the half court, and keep a close eye on Kyle Rode. UHA extended the lead to 7 points, only to see LCA battle back to within 4 at the end of the quarter at 39-35.
In the previous two games, the Blazers “D” knocked out the opponent in the 3rd quarter of play. This time, it happened in the 4th quarter. UHA limited LCA to just two field goals in the final 8 minutes as they put the game away and sent the “Blazer Backers” into a celebration frenzy. The Blazers scored the opening seven points of the final quarter to pull out to a 46-35 lead and they were never threatened again. When LCA pulled their starters in the final minute, the cheering section raised the roof in official celebration of the Blazers 9th All A title and their first since 2008.
Drew McGowan led the way with 15 points and 9 rebounds. KyKy Tandy added 14 points and 10 revounds, while Taquan Hollowell had 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Kyle Rode led LCA with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Four Blazers made the All Tourney team, Drew McGowan, Taquan Hollowell, and Will Bryan. KyKy Tandy was named tournament MVP.
With the championship win, the Blazers improve to 21-3 on the season.
