THE REPORTER
The University boys opened defense of their Class 2A Sectional championship with a 58-30 win over Sheridan in a Tuesday all-county matchup at the Sectional 43 opener at Cascade High School.
The Trailblazers overwhelmed the Blackhawks in the first half, making 11 three pointers on their way to a 53-15 halftime lead.
Caleb Wright put Sheridan on top early with a three-point basket before University outscored Sheridan 27-4 over the rest of the opening period. Kahmi Bracey put the Blazers on top for good with a corner three pointer off an assist from Sabien Cain with 6:11 left in the period. Bracey scored 11 points in the quarter, making a trio of three pointers.
The University onslaught continued in the second quarter, with the Trailblazers making seven three pointers including four by junior Bryce Gray. University opened up a 44-10 lead with three minutes left in the quarter on an Andre Ozlowski three pointer. The Blazers led by as many as 40 late in the second quarter. Cain had eight second-quarter points.
The second half was played with a running clock and at a rapid pace, with only one clock stoppage. The Blazers substituted liberally in closing out the win.
“I’m proud of my kids’ energy to start the game,” commented University coach Brandon Lafferman. “I thought our defensive pressure helped us get comfortable early. We shot the ball fantastic and it was a total team effort to get our first tournament win. Now we get back to practice and prepare for Cascade.”
Sheridan’s Caleb Wright scored 14 points for the Blackhawks. (Kirk Green)
Four Trailblazers scored in double figures, led by Bracey with 15. Cain had 14, Gray 12 and Ozlowski scored 10. Ozlowski and Seth Hogg each pulled down five rebounds. Bracey had four rebounds and a team high three steals.
Wright led Sheridan with 14 points with Trent DeCraene also reaching double figures with 10.
University improves to 21-2 on the season and will take on the host Cascade Cadets in the Friday’s second game. Sheridan closes the season at 10-14.
UNIVERSITY 58, SHERIDAN 30
Sheridan FG FT TP PF
Tyler Garner 1 0-0 2 2
Trent DeCraene 3 4-5 10 1
Caleb Wright 6 0-0 14 3
Parker Williams 1 0-0 2 2
Eli Kolb 0 0-0 0 1
Carsen Aleman 1 0-0 2 0
Evan Krupp 0 0-0 0 0
Owen Bell 0 0-0 0 1
Nate Hinshaw 0 0-0 0 0
Caleb Alexander 0 0-0 0 0
Damon Winston 0 0-0 0 0
Dayne Voege 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 12 4-5 30 10
Sheridan 3-pointers (2) Wright 2.
University FG FT TP PF
Kahmi Bracey 5 2-3 15 0
Robert Russell 2 0-0 4 1
Sabien Cain 5 1-1 14 0
Andre Ozlowski 4 1-2 10 1
Seth Hogg 0 0-0 0 1
Bryce Gray 4 0-0 12 2
Zien Bland 0 0-0 0 1
Steven Scott 0 0-0 0 0
Jackson Bledsoe 1 0-0 3 1
David Walz 0 0-0 0 0
Eli Facey 0 0-0 0 0
Cooper Cammack 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 21 4-6 58 7
University 3-pointers (12) Gray 4, Bracey 3, Cain 3, Bledsoe, Ozlowski.
Score by Quarters
Sheridan 7 8 4 11 – 30
University 27 26 2 3 – 58