The University Trailblazers used a hot start and a strong team defense to close the regular season with a 53-46 win at Bishop Chatard.
University never trailed in the game, racing to an 11-2 lead in the first 2:45 of the game. The Trailblazers advantage was never less than give the rest of the game and was a three to four possession lead for most of the contest.
A pair of three pointers from Nate Shatkowski, a triple by Max Greenamoyer and a rebound basket by Jacob Sager staked University to their 11-2 lead. Joe Martin and Eyal Friedman also hit three pointers in the first quarter while Sam Mervis added an old fashioned three point play as University led 24-15 after the first quarter.
A basket by Martin and a three pointer from Quinn Steiner helped University to a 29-22 lead two minutes in to the period before both teams went scoreless for three minutes. A Greenamoyer three pointer with 1:45 left closed the scoring for the half and University took a 34-26 lead to the the halftime locker room.
Shatkowski scored on a layup and was fouled just 12 seconds in to the fourth quarter for another three point play. Sager’s rebound basket put University up 13. The Trojans got as close as six, but a pair of baskets in the paint by Korey Ash-Simpson helped the Blazers hold a 45-37 edge after three periods.
University put the game out of reach by scoring the first seven points of the fourth quarter. Greenamoyer stole a Chatard pass and pushed the ball ahead, finding a streaking Eric Major for a layin. After a defensive stop, Major found Ash-Simpson for a layin. Greenamoyer followed with his third three pointer of the night for a 52-37 lead with 5:31 remaining.
Greenamoyer had 13 points for University and pulled down a team high six rebounds. Shatkowski had nine points, Martin had seven to go with four assists and Ash-Simpson and Sager each totalled six points as all nine Trailblazers who played scored. Mervis had a team high seven assists and five rebounds.
“This was a good team effort” said coach Brandon Lafferman of his 19-4 squad. “We had really strong team defense tonight which was a big improvement over our last game. I’m proud of the whole team. Everyone got some quality minutes tonight.”
“Korey (Ash-Simpson) and Eric (Major) gave us some key minutes tonight when we needed them late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarater. They did a great job at both ends of the court to help us seal the win. Nate Shatkowski did a good job getting us going early in just his second start of the season.”
The win was University’s first in seven tries against Chatard. The Class 1A third ranked Trailblazers end the regular season at 19-4 and will open IHSAA Sectional 58 play Tuesday night against the Indiana School for The Deaf at The U Center.
The Trojans were led by Cooper Lewis who 19 points including five three pointers. Edreece Redmond had 17 for Chatard, who closes their regular season at 12-9.
University 53, Bishop Chatard 46
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 1-4 2-4 4 4
Max Greenamoyer 5-10 0-0 13 1
Jacob Sager 2-6 2-2 6 0
Nate Shatkowski 3-4 1-1 9 1
Joe Martin 3-6 0-1 7 2
Quinn Steiner 1-1 0-0 3 1
Eyal Friedman 1-1 0-0 3 0
Korey Ash-Simpson 3-3 0-0 6 3
Eric Major 1-3 0-0 2 0
Totals 20-38 5-8 53 12
Score by Quarters
University 24 10 11 8 – 53
Bishop Chatard 15 11 11 9 – 46
University 3-point shooting (8-11) Greenamoyer 3-6, Shatkowski 2-2, Martin 1-1, Steiner 1-1, Friedman 1-1.
University rebounds (27) Greenamoyer 6, Mervis 5, Sager 4, Ash-Simpson 3, Friedman 3, Major 3, Shatkowski 2, Martin 1.