The Class 2A No. 6 University Trailblazers defended their Sectional 43 championship Tuesday night with a hard-fought 41-28 win over Park Tudor.
Patty Chikamba and Payton Seay each had 12 points to lead the Trailblazers to their eighth sectional championship in 17 seasons of IHSAA competition. The title was University’s fourth in the last five seasons.
University trailed for only 30 seconds in the contest and led by more than one possession throughout the last three periods, but every time they threatened to take total control of the game, Park Tudor scrapped back within shouting distance.
The Trailblazers got out to an early 4-2 lead on baskets by Chikamba and Kelsey DuBois before Park Tudor scored three straight points at the foul line. Jordan Patterson put University up for good at the 3:52 mark of the first quarter at 6-5. Emily Adamowicz stole the ensuring inbound pass and fed Patterson for a lay-in just seven seconds later forcing a Park Tudor timeout.
Seay scored off a DuBois assist for a 10-5 lead before Chikamba blocked a Panther shot, picked the ball out of the air and drove the length of the court for an easy basket and a 12-5 lead. The Trailblazers led 13-6 after the opening quarter.
Seay scored after a Kamryn Washington steal before Park Tudor scored their fist field goal in over ten minutes of game time to cut the lead to 15-8. Baskets by Seay and Chikamba helped University to a 19-12 halftime lead as both offenses bogged down in the second quarter.
Park Tudor’s Halle Shelt hit a three pointer to open the second half scoring, before University ran off ten straight points for a 29-15 advantage with 1:59 left in the third quarter. Chikamba started the run with an easy basket off a Patterson steal. Chikamba added a foul shot, Seay made two free throws and Adamowicz fed DuBois for a basket to force a Park Tudor timeout at 26-15.
Taylor Seay added a foul shot and Payton Seay’s basket with 1:59 left put University up 29-15. Park Tudor wouldn’t go away as Dominae Butler scored the last seven points of the third quarter, including a 30 foot three pointer at the buzzer.
Patterson opened the fourth quarter scoring with a three pointer to put University up 32-22. DuBois had a basket off a Patterson pass before Park Tudor climbed back to within 34-28 with 5:05 remaining. The Blazers were patient on offense before Chikamba drove for a basket with 3:18 remaining. University got the ball and Payton Seay scored at the rim for a 38-28 lead with 2:13 left.
Taylor Seay scored from the baseline with 28 seconds left and Chikamba added a foul shot as University scored the last seven points of the game and held Park Tudor scoreless for the last 5:05 of the contest.
Patterson finished with seven points and DuBois six.
Chikamba and DuBois led University with eight rebounds each while Adamowicz pulled down six. Chikamba had four of the Blazers 12 assists.
University (21-4) advances to the Southmont Regional on Saturday where they will play Union County (12-8) at 10 a.m. Heritage Christian and North Putnam meet in the second game with the championship contest set for 8 p.m. University will be seeking to defend its 2021 regional title and advance to the semi-state level for the third time in four seasons.
Park Tudor ends its season with a 15-8 record.
UNIVERSITY 41, PARK TUDOR 28
University FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 3-6 0-0 6 3
Patty Chikamba 5-8 2-5 12 4
Kamryn Washington 0-3 1-3 1 1
Payton Seay 5-12 2-3 12 2
Jordan Patterson 3-7 0-0 7 3
Emily Adamowicz 0-1 0-0 0 0
Taylor Seay 1-3 1-3 3 0
Totals 17-40 6-14 41 13
Score by Quarters
Park Tudor 6 6 10 6 – 28
University 13 6 10 12 – 41
University 3-point shooting (1-10) Patterson 1-4, P. Seay 0-3, Chikamba 0-2, DuBois 0-1.
University rebounds (29) DuBois 8, Chikamba 8, Adamowicz 6, P. Seay 4, Patterson 2, Washington 1.