The REPORTER
Coach Justin Blanding picked up his 200th career win Thursday night as University rolled to a 70-48 win at KIPP Indy Legacy. Blanding amassed 154 wins in eight seasons coaching the Trailblazer girls and has 46 wins in his third season at the helm of the University boys. He has a 200-70 overall record.
Josh McGee led three Blazers in double figures with 17 points. Blake Gray scored 14 and Peter Morales added 12.
University started fast, scoring the first nine points of the game. McGee and Cooper Cammack opened the scoring with driving baskets before Gray buried a three pointer from the right corner. Noah Cortez, making his first career start, found Gray for a fast break bucket to force a Legacy timeout. The Trailblazers led 12-8 after one.
The Blazers took control of the game to open the second quarter, scoring the first twelve points to open up a 24-8 lead. Morales made a three pointer before grabbing a defensive rebound and passing ahead to Jaxen Bennett for a layin. Bennett scored again on the fast break off a Gray assist. Morales capped the run with a three pointer from the left corner off a kickout from Cammack.
University closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 35-16 lead to the locker room. Faisal Mohamud found Morales for a three pointer, DJ Willis scored off a Morales assist and McGee closed the first half scoring with a rebound bucket.
The Blazers removed any hope of a Pride comeback starting the first quarter on a 7-0 run. Mohamud assisted Gray on a pair of layins and made a three pointer from the left corner. University led by as many as 28 points in the quarter and had a 54-28 lead after three,
University had 21 assists on 30 made field goals as six different players had at least one helper. Gray led with six assists while Cortez had four and McGree three. McGee led with eight rebounds and had three steals. Cortez added three steals and blocked a shot.
Blanding was pleased with his team’s performance. “I am very proud of my team and how we played tonight. We played hard and executed the game plan which is always exciting. We really took some nice steps in the right direction and it was good to get a win after a tough one we had last week.”
The coach was effusive with praise for those who helped him reach his milestone win. “I am honored to have coached so many great young men and women over the years to get 200 overall wins. It is a testament to the players we have had here along with their hard work and dedication to the program. I also want to thank the administration for believing in me and continuing to support me and the program. It is truly an honor to coach here.”
The win improved University to 14-7 on the season. The Trailblazers will close out the regular season next week with two home games. University will host Guerin Catholic Tuesday in an all-county game before ending the regular season on Thursday by hosting Indiana Math & Science in a senior night contest. Legacy falls to 8-14 on the season.