By RICHIE HALL
SHERIDAN – It was a game of runs between University and Sheridan Friday night in the first game of the Class 2A Sectional 43 semifinals at the Blackhawks’ Larry Hobbs Hall.
Both teams held leads throughout the game until the Trailblazers got the final run, an 18-4 spurt that got them out of a five-point deficit and into the sectional championship game with a 60-50 victory over Sheridan. It’s the third year in a row that University will play for a sectional title.
The ‘Blazers had hot shooting in the first couple minutes of the game, as 3-pointers from Max McComb, Robert Russell and Bryce Gray got University out to a 9-3 lead. The Blackhawks worked their way back to within 9-8 before McComb drained another 3. Sheridan’s Trey Page finished the quarter with a putback and the Trailblazers led 12-10.
University jumped out of the second quarter on a 10-0 run that was bookended by triples. McComb nailed his third 3 to start the spurt, then Bryce Gray hit his second 3 to put the ‘Blazers up 22-10.
“We got a lot of guys that are capable of doing some damage,” said University coach Justin Blanding. “Sometimes we don’t always see the right player because we think we can make a better play. Once we started putting it all back together, we started clicking very well, started getting some stops.”
The Blackhawks took over for the remainder of the quarter, scoring 15 straight points for a 25-22 halftime advantage. Page got going with seven points, while Trent DeCraene added five; both players hit 3s.
Sheridan led 29-25 early in the third period when University used a 9-0 run to get back in front. Montgomery Holland took over with seven points of that run, including an and-1 followed by a rebound basket. But the Blackhawks answered that with a 10-0 spurt that stretched into the fourth quarter. Five different players scored in that run.
With that, Sheridan led 39-34. But the Trailblazers made their move with the game’s final run, including a sequence of scoring eight straight points. McComb was good on a three-point play, then Blake Gray hit a 3 with around five minutes left to get University in the lead to stay, 42-41.
“We just had to stay together,” said Blanding. “We’ve had games like that in the past where we’ve fallen apart, so we knew that we’re going to have to stay together. They’re an excellent team, they’re a well-coached team. They were prepared. They played amazing. We just made a couple more plays.”
Two McComb free throws got the ‘Blazers up 52-43 with 1:06 left. The ‘Hawks scored five quick points – Damon Winston turned an offensive rebound into an and-1, then Page scored off a steal. Sheridan was now within 52-48 with 46 seconds, but University went on a fast 8-0 spurt to clinch the game.
McComb finished with 18 points, followed by Bryce Gray with 16 and Blake Gray with 10. Cooper Cammack led the rebounds with nine, McComb collected eight, Blake Gray pulled six and Russell had five. Bryce Gray dished out six assists, with McComb also getting four assists and two blocked shots.
Page led Sheridan with 17 points, followed by the senior DeCraene with 16. Damon Winston collected 15 rebounds and Tyler Garner pulled six.
“Hats off to Sheridan,” said Blanding. “I think Caleb Wright is one of the better players in our county. I think he’s a little underrated because our county is so good, but he’s the real deal.”
Sheridan finished its season 13-9. Blackhawks coach Bill Bowen said he has nothing but “positive and good” feelings about his team this year.
“We had kids that were committed, dedicated, they prepared well all season,” said Bowen. “They prepared well for tonight. Just one year ago it was a running clock against the same team.”
University is 12-12 and plays Park Tudor at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Sheridan for the sectional championship. The Panthers beat Covenant Christian 68-34 in the second semifinal.
UNIVERSITY 60, SHERIDAN 50
University FG FT TP PF
Bryce Gray 5-14 3-4 16 2
Max McComb 5-7 5-7 18 4
Robert Russell 2-10 2-2 7 0
Montgomery Holland 3-7 1-3 7 3
Cooper Cammack 1-4 0-2 2 2
Blake Gray 4-7 0-0 10 0
Faisal Mohamud 0-2 0-0 0 0
Jackson Bledsoe 0-0 0-0 0 0
Zien Bland 0-0 0-0 0 0
Jalen Scott 0-0 0-0 0 1
Totals 20-51 11-18 60 12
University 3-point shooting (9-28) Br. Gray 3-12, McComb 3-5, Bl. Gray 2-5, Russell 1-3, Mohamud 0-2, Holland 0-1.
University rebounds (34) Cammack 9, McComb 8, Bl. Gray 6, Russell 5, Holland 4, Br. Gray 2.
Sheridan FG FT TP PF
Trent DeCraene 7-13 1-4 16 0
Tyler Garner 4-5 1-2 9 5
Trey Page 8-15 0-0 17 0
Caleb Wright 0-5 1-2 1 5
Damon Winston 1-7 1-1 3 0
Owen Bell 1-3 0-0 2 2
Devon Hamilton 0-0 0-0 0 1
Carson Wright 1-2 0-0 2 2
Totals 22-50 4-9 50 15
Sheridan 3-point shooting (2-16) Page 1-7, DeCraene 1-3, Winston 0-4, Bell 0-1, Cal. Wright 0-1.
Sheridan rebounds (32) Winston 15, Garner 6, Page 4, DeCraene 3, Cal. Wright 2, Bell 1, Car. Wright 1.
Score by Quarters
University 12 10 12 26 – 60
Sheridan 10 15 10 15 – 50