At the start of the day, no one would’ve guessed the University High School Trailblazers would win. They lost their first two matches to LaPorte and Hamilton Southeastern and faced a huge uphill battle to even make the elimination round. The teamrallied, though, and won their final two matches of the morning.
Then the drama began. Would the Trailblazers make it into the single-elimination tournament of eight teams? They were ranked 6th by points and 8th by another parameter, but Anderson had a bye in the morning that negatively impacted their stats. Should University and Anderson play again for the #8 seed? Should Zionsville (another team with a bye in the morning) play Anderson so both teams could improve their stats? After much discussion, it was decided the Trailblazers would continue on as the #8 and final seed.First up in the single-elimination tournament was #1 seed (and host team) William Henry Harrison High School. The Trailblazers had defeated this team earlier this season by a single point, but Harrison was on a roll. University dominated the match and won 360-265. They then faced Zionsville in the semifinals and won 270-245. The Trailblazers had made it to the championship game.
What lay ahead was the biggest test for the Trailblazers yet. North Central High School was the three-time defending statechampion, and the Indianapolis school was the Goliath to University’s David. To be exact, University High School has 8% of the population at North Central.
Still, the Trailblazers kept their cool under the hot lights of the William Henry Harrison High School stage. The Trailblazers led by 20 after the first round. Next up were the two defining points of the match. UHS went on an 85-10 run in the all-important bonus round and then swept the “Continents” round. North Central was never able to make up the ground, and the Trailblazers won 340-240.
University High School had a celebration today during morning meeting to congratulate the team. Coach Chris Bradley spoke in front of the school, and summed it up by saying “Small school; big possibilities. The team brought it home.”