University used a potent inside game to establish a lead, then used their outside punch to break the game open as the Trailblazers rolled to a 73-30 opening night win over Indianapolis Shortridge.
Senior Lindsey Syrek (18 points, 15 rebounds) and freshman Kelsey DuBois (11 points, 12 rebounds) controlled the post and set up open shots for the perimeter game. Senior Maddi Sears had a career high 22 points, including four three pointers, while junior Sierra Hinds had 11 points in her Trailblazer debut, knocking down a pair of triples.
Shortridge opened the scoring with a three pointer just 12 seconds in before University scored the next 23 points. Freshman Peyton Seay tied the game at three with an old fashioned three point play off a DuBois assist, before DuBois put University in front to stay with a lay-in. DuBois had seven points and six rebounds in the first period, with Syrek adding six points and four caroms.
The Trailblazers held Shortridge scoreless for more than six and a half minutes of the second quarter, opening up a 41-6 lead before taking a 47-9 advantage to the halftime locker room. Sears exploded for 13 points in the second quarter, including a trio of three pointers.
Seay ended with five points, freshman Jordan Patterson had four and Elise Nachlis, Arrion Sherrod and Abby Hannon each scored a point.
Ella Garriott led Shortridge with 11.
The Trailblazers will be much younger this season, although there is plenty of talent.
“This season we return Indiana Junior All Star and All State selection Lindsey Syrek and Maddi Sears,” said UHS coach Justin Blanding in comments provided earlier. “We are extremely young, but have some talent so I am looking forward to coaching this group. Senior Elise Nachlis will be counted on to get minutes, and Lilly Fair will return to the roster this season.”
“I think we will be a good defensive team but with the lack of experience it will be interesting to see what this club can do,” said Blanding. “Losing seven seniors last season the majority of our experience is gone.”
University is back in action Friday in an All-County contest at Guerin Catholic.
UNIVERSITY 74, SHORTRIDGE 30
University FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 4 3-4 11 0
Sierra Hinds 4 1-2 11 1
Lindsey Syrek 7 3-6 18 1
Payton Seay 2 1-1 5 2
Maddi Sears 8 2-2 22 1
Elise Nachlis 0 1-2 1 2
Jordan Patterson 2 0-2 4 2
Arrion Sherrod 0 1-3 1 2
Abby Hannon 0 1-4 1 1
Anne Gibboney 0 0-1 0 1
Totals 27 13-27 74 13
Score by Quarters
Shortridge 6 3 6 15 – 30
University 23 24 20 7 – 74
University 3-pointers (7) Sears 4, Hinds 2, Syrek 1.