By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – A fun rivalry has developed over the years between University and Tindley, and the latest chapter was written Friday night at the U Center.
The Trailblazers hosted the Tigers in front of a packed crowd. Tindley got off to a fast start, but University took over midway through the first quarter and sailed to a 50-33 victory. It was the 10th victory of the season for the ‘Blazers.
“I think anytime University plays Tindley, it’s a big game,” said Trailblazers coach Brandon Lafferman. “With all the close battles we’ve had in the post-season over the years and even though we’re not in the same sectional or even class anymore, I think this is always a game to mark on the schedule.”
University is now in Class 2A, while the Tigers are still in 1A. Tindley gave the ‘Blazers some nervous moments in the first few minutes of the game when it jumped out to a 10-4 lead. Freshman Billy Brown made a pair of 3-pointers during that run.
University soon got it together, and embarked on a 14-0 run that carried it well into the second quarter. The Trailblazers cut the Tigers’ lead to 10-9 by the end of the quarter, thanks to three points from Joe Martin (free throw and layin) and a couple free throws by Camden Brown.
The ‘Blazers began the second quarter with a basket from Martin, which pushed them in front 11-10. University never trailed again – instead, it added to the lead, going up 18-0. Max Greenamoyer hit a 3 and Jacob Sager converted back-to-back layins.
“They hit a couple shots and we let No. 4 (Billy Brown) get going with a couple 3s, which was not part of the game plan,” said Lafferman. “I think once we settled in defensively, we were really on it the rest of the game and we felt like we could man up. And I thought our guys did a really good job really from the four-minute mark in the first quarter to the rest of the game. I thought our defense was outstanding tonight.”
The Trailblazers led 25-18 at halftime; Sager had six points in the second quarter and Matt Jones added a 3. Tindley got within 27-24 with around six minutes left in the third period. Sophomore Joseph Glenn had six points for the Tigers during that run.
But University’s defense clamped down again, leading the ‘Blazers on an 18-2 run that stretched into the fourth quarter. Six different UHS players scored in that run, including four points each from Martin and Sam Mervis.
“That’s a really good recipe for us to win games,” said Lafferman. “I thought our guys off the bench did a great job.”
Martin led the University scoring with 13 points, while Mervis added nine points, four assists and four steals. Greenamoyer collected seven rebounds, with Brown pulling five and Ash-Simpson four. Martin also had two blocked shots.
The Trailblazers are 10-3 and are back home next Friday when they host Muncie Burris in a Pioneer Conference game.
UNIVERSITY 50, TINDLEY 33
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 3-8 3-3 9 2
Max Greenamoyer 3-11 0-0 7 1
Camden Brown 2-4 4-4 8 1
Jacob Sager 3-4 0-1 6 3
Joe Martin 6-14 1-2 13 1
Korey Ash-Simpson 1-2 0-0 2 0
Matt Jones 1-1 0-0 3 1
Larry Pierce 1-3 0-0 2 2
Aaron Stallings 0-0 0-0 0 0
Faizan Eskar 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 20-47 8-10 50 11
Score by Quarters
Tindley 10 8 8 7 – 33
University 9 16 10 15 – 50
University 3-point shooting (2-15) Greenamoyer 1-9, Jones 1-1, Martin 0-3, Mervis 0-2.
University rebounds (28) Greenamoyer 7, Brown 5, Ash-Simpson 4, Mervis 3, Pierce 3, Sager 3, Martin 2, team 1.
University’s Sam Mervis looks to pass the ball inside during the Trailblazers’ Friday night game with Tindley at the U Center. University beat the Tigers 50-33 in the latest game between the two rivals. (Richie Hall)