University fought back from a nine-point first half deficit, but suffered a heartbreaking 32-31 Class 2A Sectional 42 game to Park Tudor at Scecina Memorial.
Park Tudor’s JC Glenn made the first of two foul shots with 18 seconds for the eventual game winning points. University had a four-foot baseline shot spin around the rim and fall out with two seconds left. Glenn’s foul shots were the first points scored in the game since there was 5:36 remaining.
The contest was a defensive slugfest. University took a 6-3 lead midway through the first period, but Park Tudor scored the next 12 points of the game to take a 15-6 lead early in the second quarter.
University started chipping away at the Panthers’ lead, getting within 19-14 at halftime. Park Tudor scored the first basket of the second half, before the Trailblazers began to crawl back in to the contest. Jacob Sager’s offensive rebound led to a Joe Martin basket and then Sager scored off a Sam Mervis pass to cut the lead to 21-18. Camden Brown’s offensive rebound basket and three Martin foul shots had University down 27-23 after the third quarter.
University quickly took the lead in the fourth quarter. Max Greenamoyer hit a three pointer just 13 seconds in to the quarter before Sager and Mervis combined on a steal on the defensive end that led to Sager basket off a Mervis assist to put the Trailblazers on top 28-27 with 7:22 left. Mervis then had another steal and split a pair of foul shots for a 29-27 lead. After the Panthers tied the game, Martin gave University their last lead of the night with a pair of foul shots with 6:04 left. Park Tudor tied the game with 5:36 remaining.
Each team had a handful of possessions during the last five minutes. The Blazers had two consecutive possessions where short shots would not fall before Glenn was fouled on a drive to the basket.
Coach Brandon Lafferman was impressed with his team’s fight. “I’m proud of how we fought to get back in the game. Our guys did a good job executing the offense, the ball just would not go in.”
Martin led University with 13 points. Brown and Sager had six each. Ronald Johnson had 14 to lead Park Tudor.
University ends the season with a 21-5 record. University won 21 games for the third consecutive season and won their third consecutive Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference championship.
PARK TUDOR 32, UNIVERSITY 31
University FG FT TP PF
Sam Mervis 1 1-2 3 2
Max Greenamoyer 1 0-0 3 0
Camden Brown 3 0-0 6 2
Jacob Sager 3 0-0 6 1
Joe Martin 4 5-7 13 3
Matt Jones 0 0-0 0 0
Korey Ash-Simpson 0 0-0 0 1
Larry Pierce 0 0-0 0 1
Totals 12 6-9 31 9
Score by Quarters
University 6 8 9 8 – 31
Park Tudor 13 6 8 5 – 32
University 3-pointers (1) Greenamoyer 1.
ABOVE: University senior Joe Martin scored 13 points for the Trailblazers during their sectional game with Park Tudor Friday at Scecina.
BELOW: Sam Mervis was one of six seniors on this year’s University team. (Kirk Green)
