University Heights Academy is back in a familiar spot – the Region 2 All “A” Basketball Tournament final.
The Blazers held off Dawson Springs 75-67 Friday night in the first semifinal game Friday night at Fort Campbell. The Blazers, who are seeking their 26th Region 2 All “A” Tournament championship, will face Lyon County at 7 p.m. Saturday for the crown. The Lyons blew past Crittenden County 83-24 in the second semifinal game Friday.
UHA (5-5), which led 16-15 after one quarter, hit five 3-pointers in the second quarter and outscored the Panthers 24-15 to lead 40-25 at the break. Kayn Simmons had seven points in the quarter and Nash McAfee had a pair of three’s as part of the Blazers’ run.
The UHA barrage continued in the third quarter as Keshawn Moore had 10 of his 20 points in the frame. Jaiden Miles also had seven points in the frame as the Blazers took a 65-45 advantage.
However, UHA struggled at the free throw line in the fourth quarter, connecting on only three of 16 attempts. With the shots not falling, Dawson Springs rallied behind the play of Easton Bourland and Cooper Burge, who combined for 16 points in the final frame.
Time finally ran out on Dawson Springs (4-9) and sent UHA into the Region 2 All “A” finals for the first time since 2024 when Lyon County defeated the Blazers 114-68 behind Travis Perry.
Moore led UHA Friday night with 20 points. Miles finished with 14 points and McAfee had 10.
Burge had 17 points and Bourland added 15 for the Panthers. Noah Riley and Jaydon Plunkette added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Ethan Slaton also had 10 points.
Lyon County (9-5) will be looking for its third straight Region 2 All “A” Tournament championship Saturday night.
Score by Quarters:
Dawson Springs 15 15 15 22 – 67
University Heights 16 24 25 10 – 75
Individual Scoring:
DSHS (4-9) – Riley 13, Slaton 10, Bourland 15, Burge 17, Plunkette 12.
UHA (5-5) – Moore 20, Hickman 6, Sharber 3, McAfee 10, Vincent 6, Hunt 7, Simmons 9, Miles 14.
3-Point Goals: DSHS – Slaton, Bourland, Burge 3, Plunkette 3; UHA – Sharber, McAfee 2, Vincent 2, Simmons.
File Photo