The Class 1A No. 1 University Trailblazers took the suspense out the game early Friday night, scoring the first 19 points of the game in a 75-52 win over Covenant Christian at The U Center.
It was a record breaking night for senior Zack Hodgin as he set a new school record for career steals. Hodgin had three thefts on the night to set the new mark with 108 steals. Hodgin entered the night tied with 2016 graduate Connor Holly.
Ethan Sickels led the Blazers in scoring with 22 points, all in the first half. Seniors Foster Flamion (13), David Howard (12) and Josh Watson (12) were also in double figures. Hodgin finished with seven points and nine assists as University had assists on 20 of their 26 field goals.
“We had a great start tonight with a lot of energy on the defensive end” said University coach Brandon Lafferman.
Flamion had the first basket of the night off a Howard assist. Sickels scored on a feed from Hodgin before Howard made a pair of free throws. After Hodgin stole the ball and threw a pass to Sickels for a lay-in, the Warriors took a time out. Covenant Christian was then assessed a technical foul for entering a player with the incorrect uniform number in the score book. Flamion hit a pair of foul shots, then was fouled after the Blazers put the ball back in play and made two more free throws for six University points in 17 seconds and a 12-0 lead. Hodgin made it 14-0 on a lay-in off a steal. Sickels made a three pointer off a Flamion assist before Hodgin found Sickels on a run out for a 19-0 lead. The Warriors made a three pointer with 38 seconds remaining the first quarter and the opening period ended with a 19-3 University lead.
University exploded for 30 points in the second quarter to open a 49-23 halftime lead. Sickels had 13 in the second quarter. The Blazers led by 31 with five minutes remaining before the Warriors closed the game on a 12-4 run.
“We have a big game tomorrow (Saturday),” said Lafferman. “We are focused on winning the PAAC championship.” The Pioneer North Division Champions will play at South Champion Greenwood Christian tomorrow at 4 p.m. as they attempt to win the school’s first conference title.
University 75, Covenant Christian 52
University FG FT TP PF
David Howard 4-6 0-0 12 1
Quinn Steiner 1-2 0-0 3 0
Ethan Sickels 9-11 0-0 22 0
Camden Brown 0-0 0-0 0 0
Foster Flamion 3-9 7-8 13 0
Eyal Friedman 0-1 0-0 0 2
Sam Mervis 0-0 0-0 0 2
Nate Shatowski 0-1 2-2 2 0
Max Greenamoyer 1-2 0-0 2 1
Josh Watson 4-9 3-4 12 2
Zack Hodgin 3-4 1-1 7 3
Eric Major 1-3 0-0 2 0
Totals 26-48 13-15 75 11
Score by Quarters
Covenant 3 20 11 18 – 52
University 19 30 14 12 – 75
University 3-point shooting (10-23) Howard 4-6, Sickels 4-6, Watson 1-4, Steiner 1-2, Flamion 0-2, Friedman 0-1, Shatowski 0-1, Greenamoyer 0-1.
University rebounds (19) Flamion 4, Watson 4, Major 4, Hodgin 2, Howard 1, Steiner 1, Friedman 1, Mervis 1, Shatowski 1.