At first glance, University Heights Academy’s basketball team looks like it could be rebuilding after losing most of its scoring and rebounding from a year ago.
But don’t feel too sorry for the Blazers, who do return two of the top players in Region 2 in junior Tylin George and senior Elijah Walton. They also will benefit from the transfer of sophomore guard KeShawn Moore from Todd County Central. However, Moore suffered a leg injury during the Blazers’ first scrimmage game and could miss most, if not all, of the season.
Throw in the return of senior guard Bryson Northington and junior forward Frank Pollard and UHA looks more like a Region 2 title contender than in rebuilding mode.
Head Coach Terry Hayes said he thinks the 2024-25 edition of the Blazers could be a good one.
George is the top returning scorer from last year at 15.1 points per game. Walton averaged 12.9 points per game and is the top returning rebounder at 8.7 per game.
Hayes said the team has been working hard and many of the players have been voluntarily showing up for practices at 6 a.m. in preparation for the season.
Hayes said senior center Jaden “Juice” Daniels and senior guard Tra Bell will be his top reserves. He also is expecting help from junior forward Drew Fields. A strong freshman class led by forwards FJ Thomas, Cody Robinson, guard Matt Flynn and center Paxton Gee along with eighth grader Nash McAfee also could help the Blazers.
But Hayes said his starting five has improved drastically from last year and some of their roles have changed this season.
The Blazers open the season Dec. 3 at home against Madisonville-North Hopkins. It’s a schedule loaded with tough opponents including South Warren, Murray, Owensboro, Henderson County, McCracken County, and Paducah Tilghman. UHA also will play in the Faupel Automative Chevrolet GMC Ford Colonel Basketball Tournament at Henderson, as well as the German American Bank Shootout in Glasgow.
And of course, UHA is expected to battle defending state champion Lyon County for the All “A” region title.
Photos by Joe Wilson