University Heights Academy scored the first 12 points of the game and never looked back as they hammered Crittenden County 84-42 in the first round of the Second Region Tournament Monday at Madisonville. The Blazers improved to 13-5 all-time in region openers.
While the Blazers put 27 points on the board in the first quarter, leading scorer Kyky Tandy only had four of those as Drew McGowan had 14 points. Tandy did have two assists and two steals in the frame.
Up 27-12 after the first quarter, UHA scored the first 16 points of the second quarter to lead 43-12. Will Bryan was the catalyst for the Blazer run, scoring eight points. UHA scored 20 points off 12 Rocket turnovers in the first half as Crittenden hit just 6-of-29 shots in the first half. UHA was 23-of-40 in the first half as they too a 53-19 lead into intermission.
UHA Coach Grant Shouse used his bench liberally in the second half 11 Blazers made their way into the scoring column.
McGowan led the Blazers with 17 points and six rebounds. Tandy was one of three Blazers who scored 13 points. He also had five rebounds and four assists. TaQuan Hollowell had 13 points and nine rebounds, and Bryan scored 13 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.
Crittenden County (11-19) was led by Tyler Boone’s 13 points and eight rebounds. Preston Turley scored two points and had a game-high 12 rebounds. Crittenden committed 20 turnovers that led to 32 Blazer points.
For Crittenden County, their season ends at 11-19. They haven’t won a game in the region tournament since 1957.
UHA (29-4) will play Caldwell County, who outlasted Union County 67-64, in the region semifinals Friday at 6pm.
