Call it a preview to the Boys’ District 8 Basketball Tournament semifinals if you want.
The Christian County Colonels used a strong second half to defeat University Heights Academy 75-65 Thursday night in Blazer Gym.
The game was tied four times in the opening 18 minutes of play before former Blazer Frank Pollard Jr. scored five straight points early in the third quarter to give the Colonels a 36-31 lead they would never relinquish.
UHA (6-14, 2-2) led 17-15 after one quarter only to see Christian County (10-11, 3-1) take a 31-29 lead into the break.
The Blazers led by as much as six several times in the first half, including as late as 23-17. However, Darren Bigbee and Rahsean Stevenson led the Colonels’ rally before halftime.
The Blazers’ Keshawn Moore battled an illness, but had 29 points to lead all scorers. Hayden Hunt added 10.
For Christian County, Bigbee exploded for 27 points. Stevenson and Pollard Jr. each added 13 for the Colonels, who won for the fourth straight time.
The game was the final regular season basketball game between the long-time bitter rivals as the Colonels will consolidate with Hopkinsville High School next season.
The win earned the Colonels the No. 2 seed in the District 8 Tournament in two weeks at Hopkinsville High School. They will face the No. 3 seed Blazers in the semifinals. The dates and times for the district tournament will be set on Wednesday morning in the District 8 Tournament meeting at HHS.
Christian County returns to action Monday night at home against Owensboro. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. with airtime at 7:15 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm and 953thefarm.com. The Colonels’ game on Saturday with Bardstown was cancelled.
UHA is scheduled to play Saturday at Todd County Central.
Score by Quarters:
Christian County 15 16 21 23 – 75
University Heights 17 12 14 22 – 65
Individual Scoring:
CCHS (10-11, 3-1) – Wharton 4, Bigbee 27, Henderson 6, Farley 4, Stevenson 13, Pollard Jr. 13, Bridges 8.
Photos by Joe Wilson