Short-handed Trailblazers boys don’t let high-riding Patriots stop them

The REPORTER

A short-handed University boys squad walked into a tough environment last Saturday at Bethesda Christian and ground out a 48-36 win over the Patriots.

Bethesda Christian was celebrating their 2024 Class 1A state runners-up and unveiled their State Finalist banner in a halftime ceremony. The Patriots fed off the energy in the gym to jump out to an 11-7 lead late in the first quarter. The Trailblazers settled down and outscored Bethesda Christian 41-25 the rest of the way to pull away for the win.

Max McComb, limited to just four first half minutes due to foul trouble, led a balanced University attack with 13 points. Zien Bland and Blake Gray chipped in with nine each and Peter Morales added seven.

University began to assert itself late in the first quarter. A basket by Gray was followed by a three pointer by Noah Cortez from the right wing to put University ahead 12-11 with 27 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. The Blazers never trailed again.

Gray began the second quarter with a right wing three off a Cortez assist. DJ Willis added a basket before Morales drilled a three pointer from the left wing. Bland scored and Morales made another three off a Gray assist and University led 25-17 at halftime.

McComb had a stellar third quarter making a trio of three pointers as University led by as many as 14 before taking a 36-25 lead to the fourth quarter. The Patriots briefly cut the lead to nine early in the final period before McComb made two foul shots to restore a double-digit lead. Bethesda Christian never got closer and University led by as many as 17 late in the game.

University coach Justin Blanding was pleased with the grit his team showed.

“Our guys showed a lot of heart tonight,” said Blanding. We have multiple guys out and a few are banged up pretty bad. To able to play without Faisal Mohamud and Josh Henderson shows a lot about the guys we have being ready to step up each and every night. Noah Cortez and Blake Gray were both game time decisions and stepped up and played with injuries as well.  Max McComb and Cooper Cammack got in early foul trouble so our young guys really had to step up.”

Blanding continued about his team’s improvement. “I questioned our toughness multiple times this year and our guys are responding,” he said. “The adversity I was talking about is helping our team. Now we just need to get healthier because we are playing some good basketball.”

The win improved University’s record to 4-6. The Trailblazers were scheduled to host Covenant Christian Monday, but the game was postponed to next Monday, Jan. 13. University will travel to Scecina on Thursday.