Seniors Josh Watson and Ethan Sickels combined for 45 points as the short-handed University Trailblazers blitzed the Anderson Preparatory Jets 77-36 in a Pioneer Conference game Saturday at The Hangar.
The Class 1A No. 2 Trailblazers never trailed in the game. Foster Flamion opened the scoring 15 seconds in to the game before Watson scored five quick points for a 7-0 lead as University focused on pushing the pace. Watson had nine points in the opening quarter on four lay-ins and a free throw as University led 18-9 at the quarter.
Sickels took over in the second quarter scoring 10 of the Blazers 14 points as University went to the break with a 32-18 advantage. Sickels had a pair of three pointers in the quarter.
University turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter. Eyal Friedman fed Watson for a breakaway dunk to spark a 10-2 run to open the period to open up a 40-21 lead. Watson scored 14 points in the first 4:15 of the period as the Blazers led 51-24 midway through the quarter and were never headed in closing out the win.
Flamion added 14 points while Friedman had five in his first career start. Nate Shatkowski had five in his University varsity debut. Eric Major (four), Quinn Steiner (two) and Camden Brown (two) rounded out the scoring.
University played without starters David Howard and Zack Hodgin and sixth man Sam Mervis. “I was pleased with the play of our seniors. They helped keep us together tonight. Guys who normally don’t play a lot of minutes stepped up tonight,” said University coach Brandon Lafferman.
University improved to 13-1 and finishes the PAAC North portion of their schedule with a perfect 4-0 record. The Blazers will play at the PAAC South winner in the PAAC championship game on February 13. Greenwood Christian can clinch the PAAC South with a win over International Monday night. The Jets fall to 2-13, 0-3 in the PAAC North.
The Trailblazers will host Indianapolis Lutheran Thursday night. The game was originally scheduled for Nov. 25, but was postponed due to Lutheran’s run in the IHSAA football playoffs.
University 77,
Anderson Prep 36
University FG FT TP
Ethan Sickels 9 0 21
Foster Flamion 5 3 14
Eyal Friedman 2 1 5
Josh Watson 11 2 24
Eric Major 2 0 4
Quinn Steiner 0 2 2
Nate Shatkowski 2 0 5
Camden Brown 0 2 2
Roman Salley 0 0 0
Matt Jones 0 0 0
Asher Thompson 0 0 0
Matt Moore 0 0 0
Totals 31 10 77
Score by Quarters
University 18 14 24 21 – 77
APA 7 11 7 11 – 36