Tuesday was a great night to be a Trailblazer, and a historic night as well.
The University girls basketball team sailed past Bethesda Christian 78-41 at the U Center, keeping its undefeated season going at 5-0. The history came from junior Lindsey Syrek, who reached the 1,000-point mark for her career in the game’s third quarter.
Syrek was thrilled to reach that milestone, but at the same time remained focused on the task at hand, which was winning the game.
“I knew it was going to happen when it was going to happen,” said Syrek of reaching 1,000 points.
The first quarter of the game was tight, with the Class 1A No. 3-ranked ‘Blazers leading 11-7 at the end of the period. Senior Jhordan McGuire led the way with seven points, including a three-point play midway through the quarter that turned a 5-3 Patriots lead into a 6-5 University lead. That 5-3 lead was the only one for Bethesda in the game.
The Trailblazers took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Patriots 23-8 to lead 34-15 at halftime. Syrek was held scoreless in the first period, but poured in 12 points in the second. That gave her 996 points at halftime.
Syrek wasted no time in reaching the 1,000 point mark, doing so with a layin at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter. She made the basket while being fouled, and after a quick ceremony, made the free throw. Syrek finished the game with 19 points.
“That was amazing, just to see her hard work pay off,” said University coach Justin Blanding.
The ‘Blazers continued to roll in the second half, leading 54-23 after three quarters. University added another 24 points in the fourth; Haley Tomlinson got hot with three 3-pointers in that quarter.
The Trailblazers had five scorers reach double figures. After Syrek’s 19, Jenna Blakley added 16 points, including three 3s. McGuire finished with 15 points, Tomlinson had 11 (all in the fourth quarter) and Lily Snyder had 10.
“We had to make sure that we played hard,” said Blanding. He also knew University could see Bethesda Christian again, since the two teams play in the same sectional.
“They’re a lot better than what they showed,” said Blanding. “We’ll enjoy this one, but if we see them again, we’ll be ready and I know they’ll be ready.”
Next up for the ‘Blazers are their first two Pioneer Conference games of the season. University plays at Anderson Prep on Thursday, then takes on Seton Catholic Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. That will be part of a girl-boy doubleheader, with the girls teams tipping off at 6:30 p.m.
University 78, Bethesda Christian 41
University FG FT TP PF
Lindsey Syrek 9 1-2 19 1
Brooke Andrus 1 0-0 3 1
Lily Snyder 4 2-4 10 3
Jhordan McGuire 6 3-4 15 2
Lucy Snyder 0 0-0 0 2
Jenna Blakley 6 1-2 16 4
Haley Tomlinson 4 0-0 11 0
Hallie Harrison 1 0-0 2 0
Bayan Abdullah 0 0-0 0 0
Elise Nachlis 0 0-0 0 0
Anne Gibboney 0 0-0 0 0
Abby Hannon 1 0-0 2 0
Arrion Sherrod 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 32 7-12 78 13
Score by Quarters
Bethesda Christian 7 8 8 18 – 41
University 11 23 20 24 – 78
University 3-pointers (7) Tomlinson 3, Blakley 3, Andrus 1.
University’s Lindsey Syrek reached the 1,000-point mark Tuesday during the Trailblazers’ win over Bethesda Christian. Syrek is pictured with University head coach Justin Blanding and her family, father Mike, mother Cindy and brother Mason. (Richie Hall)