By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – The University girls basketball team began Pioneer Conference play in overwhelming fashion Thursday, cruising past Anderson Prep Academy 83-16 at the U Center.
The Trailblazers led 29-12 by the end of the first quarter. The Jets scored the first basket of the game, but University ran off the next seven points, then steadily built its lead from there. Patty Chikamba had a sensational first quarter, scoring 14 points.
The ‘Blazers were already defending well, but took it up to another level for the other three periods. University didn’t let Anderson Prep any points in the second quarter on its way to a 47-12 halftime lead. Jordan Patterson, meanwhile, scored nine points in that period. The Trailblazers then allowed the Jets only four points during the second half – two points in the third quarter, two more in the fourth.
“The system is progressing,” said University coach Justin Blanding. “We’re getting healthier. Some of the kids who were injured that are still injured were able to get back in practice and actually have real practices. I think it’s our 28th practice and we’ve only had four real competitive practices.”
Thirteen players took to the floor for the ‘Blazers, and 12 of them scored. Four of them reached double figures, led by Chikamba with 16 points. Payton Seay added 15, Kelsey DuBois had 13 and Jordan Patterson had 10 points.
“I’m really pleased at the team effort,” said Blanding. “The scoring was balanced. Everybody got to play.” The coach said it’s “always good when you can have a game like that where everybody can contribute.”
By the fourth quarter, University had emptied its bench, and those players stepped up as well. Reva Allam had six points in that period, with Anyah Jordan adding six second-half points as well. Anne Gibboney threw in two 3-pointers.
“A lot of times, once you get to the heart of the season, some of those kids don’t get to play much,” said Blanding. “Having some of them, in front of their classmates, getting to score some points and play some extended minutes is a good thing.”
DuBois led the rebounding with six, while Taylor Seay collected five. Chikamba made seven steals, while Patterson had five steals and four assists.
University is 5-2 for the season and plays its next three games on the road, starting with a trip to Bethesda Christian on Monday.
UNIVERSITY 83, ANDERSON PREP ACADEMY 16
University FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 5-10 3-5 13 0
Patty Chikamba 7-8 1-3 16 3
Payton Seay 5-9 4-5 15 0
Taylor Seay 1-9 0-0 2 0
Jordan Patterson 4-6 2-3 10 2
Abby Hannon 1-2 0-0 2 1
Arrion Sherrod 1-3 0-0 3 0
Alex Feeney 0-1 0-0 0 1
Becky Williams 1-3 0-0 2 1
Anyah Jordan 3-4 0-0 6 0
Anne Gibboney 2-4 0-0 6 1
Reva Allam 3-3 0-0 6 0
Lindsey Blocksom 1-3 0-0 2 0
Totals 34-65 10-16 83 9
Score by Quarters
Anderson Prep 12 0 2 2 – 16
University 29 18 18 18 – 83
University 3-point shooting (5-12) Gibboney 2-3, Chikamba 1-2, P. Seay 1-2, Sherrod 1-2, Patterson 0-2, DuBois 0-1.
University rebounds (28) DuBois 6, T. Seay 5, Williams 4, Chikamba 3, Patterson 3, P. Seay 2, Hannon 2, Sherrod 2, Gibboney 1.