Everyone needed a win on Monday night when UHA welcomed cross county rival HCA to the gym.
The Lady Blazers were 0-6 on the year, the Lady Warriors 1-2.
Meanwhile their male counterparts were 1-1 and 1-3 respectively.
Someone had to win, and someone had to lose though, and UHA won both, big.
The girls finished with a final score of 70-35 in favor of UHA while the boys ended at 75-23 also in favor of the Blazers.
It was just one of those nights. One of those nights where UHA did what they needed to, and HCA did not.
The Lady Blazers flew around defensively making HCA uncomfortable and LeeLee Love crashed the glass like it was her sole purpose. Kennedy Quarles did a fantastic job to space herself out and find the line in transition for multiple three’s on the evening.
HCA on the other hand, had issues with the UHA speed and size, but they certainly did a great job getting themselves to the line. They just struggled to make their free throws. The Lady Warriors also spaced well at times in the halfcourt allowing themselves open three’s, a few of which Kate Martin made look easy, but could not make many. Bailey Craft was great about finding the hole in the zone at the FT line area, just could not get the jumper/floater to fall.
All in all both teams performed valiantly, it just ultimately down the stretch became a game of speed and rebounding, and on Monday night those were not HCA’s strong points.
Following the girls game the Boys put on a show.
UHA’s Lemar Northington had nine points in the first several minutes, all of which from corner threes on the left side. He went on to make several more three’s as his team around him help space the floor and open up the game.
Much like the girls game, UHA used their speed and size to their advantage. HCA this season is a smaller team than they were last year, meaning they try and play a more guard oriented, up-tempo style. It works for them the majority of the time, but when it doesn’t things can spiral down.
Again like their female compatriots, the Warriors failed to take advantage of their ability to cause fouls by UHA by making their free throws.
They also struggled with the intense pressure of the UHA defense, something we have talked before about frustrating them.
By no means does this mean they did not show positive signs though. They got UHA in foul trouble at points, made trips to the line with consistency, and Manny Diaz showed he is a Dennis Rodman type rebounder with his aggression and fight for the ball. That combined with the touch of Trevor Gibson and the pure athleticism of Carlos Robles, all of which was on display for short stretches last night, bodes well for HCA moving forward.
It is a quick turnaround for UHA as the girls look to take on Livingston Central and the boys will play Henderson County on Tuesday.
HCA will take a few days off before the boys take on Foundation Christian on the 16th and both the girls and boys play Valor Christian on the 17th.