The REPORTER
University’s boys pulled away in the second half and rolled to an 80-52 Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference win over Anderson Preparatory Academy, the Trailblazers’ sixth win in a row.
Max McComb had 18 points to lead four Blazers in double figures. Peter Morales came off the bench to score 14 points including four three pointers. Blake Gray had 11 while Cooper Cammack had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
University got off to a slow start with the Jets scoring the last five points of the first quarter to take a 16-12 lead. University’s bench players got the Trailblazers going in the second quarter. DJ Willis scored the first five points of the quarter to put the Blazers in front before the Jets regained the lead at 19-17. Morales hit a three pointer to give University a lead they never relinquished and spark a 13-0 run over the next 2:15. Noah Cortez scored, Morales added another three and McComb scored two buckets to force a Jet timeout with University up 30-19.
Anderson Prep got the lead down to six before Zien Bland made two free throws with 0.3 seconds left in the half. The Blazers led 34-26 at the break.
University started slow in the second half with the Jets cutting the advantage to 37-32 before the Blazers took off on a 27 point third quarter scoring barrage. McComb hit a three pointer and Cammack stole the inbound and scored as the Blazers double their lead in four seconds and University led by double digits the rest of the game.
The game was University’s first in 13 days. Coach Justin Blanding was pleased with how his team shook off the rust.
“Our guys played very well tonight,” said Blanding. “We had not played a game in 13 days and not a lot of practice so it was good to get back on the floor. We started a little flat, but the boys were just excited to get back to playing.”
Blanding was happy with the total team effort.
“I thought our contributions were great tonight,” he said. “Our offense was solid when we calmed down and our defense was great. Peter Morales continues to be a huge spark for us along with DJ Willis and Noah Cortez. All three have started games for us so they go in with no fear and just play.”
The Blazers’ starters also played well.
“Max McComb continues to be steady and Cooper Cammack has really come into his own on both ends of the floor,” said Blanding. “Blake Gray can do so many things on the floor but he has been finding his teammates and initiating offense but we need him to be more aggressive on both ends. We have another tough one at Lutheran on Saturday so we will need to have the same intensity on both ends of the floor like we did tonight.”
The win improves University’s record to 9-6. The Trailblazers finish PAAC North play at 3-1 and will host the PAAC third-place game on Feb. 14 against an opponent to be determined. The Jets saw a four-game winning streak end and are 10-5 on the season and 2-2 in PAAC North games.
The game was the first of three in four nights for University. The Trailblazers travel to Indianapolis Lutheran Saturday night and will play at Bishop Chatard on Monday evening.
