(LEFT) University’s Sydney Culp (20) Scored 16 points for the Trailblazers during their win at Sheridan on Saturday, Jan. 3. Pictured for the Blackhawks is Olivia Long (15). (RIGHT) Sheridan’s Makenzy Terry scored 13 points for the Blackhawks. (Julie Brown)
Posted By: Richie Hall January 6, 2026
The REPORTER
Saturday afternoon’s all-county girls basketball game between Sheridan and University featured numerous scoring runs by each team. University made the last run and the Trailblazers came away with a 41-32 win.
Freshman Nyla Blanding’s three pointer from the right wing put University on top 33-32 with 3:18 remaining and sparked an 11-0 game ending run. Gabby Culp added a rebound basket with 2:00 left and Leah Norvell split a pair of foul shots with 1:19 on the clock to put the Trailblazers up 36-32. Sydney Culp made five of six free throws in the last 62 seconds to put the game away.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair with neither team leading by more than two points. Makenzy Terry had eight points for Sheridan in the quarter with Lucy Marquis adding a basket. Sydney Culp had five points for University, Leah Norvell made a three pointer and Gabby Culp had two baskets including one that tied the score at 12 with 16 seconds left.
Sheridan put together the first scoring run of the game to open the second quarter, scoring the first eight points to take a 20-12 lead just 90 seconds into the quarter. Brielle Garner hit a three pointer from the right corner to put the Blackhawks ahead.
Freshman Marah Fausset scored the next five points, including a three pointer. University held Sheridan scoreless for the rest of the quarter, using their own 9-0 run to take a 21-20 lead at halftime. Sydney Culp made a free throw to start the University comeback and Gabby Culp added two three pointers and two foul shots to put University ahead.
The Blazers continued their run in the third quarter, scoring the first five points on a Sydney Culp left-wing three pointer and a Mack Feeney basket off an assist from Gabby Culp. Terry broke a nearly 10-minute scoreless streak for the Blackhawks to ignite an 8-0 Sheridan run.
Garner and Sadie Timme scored to knot the game at 26 before Timme made two of four foul shots to give Sheridan a 28-26 lead. University closed the quarter on a quick 4-0 spurt with Sydney Culp ended a 4:15 scoreless streak by the Blazers with two foul shots with 47 seconds left. Norvell scored at the rim with 15 seconds left for a 30-28 University advantage entering the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw only a Timme basket in the first 4:30 of play. Kelsie Hagan gave Sheridan their last lead at 32-20 with 3:30 remaining before Blanding started University’s game winning run.
Sydney Culp led University with 16 points while Gabby Culp had 14 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. Feeney added six rebounds, five assists, four blocks and five steals.
Terry led Sheridan with 13 points and nine rebounds. Timme had a game-high seven assists.
University improved to 7-8 on the season. The Trailblazers will host Western Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The U Center.
Sheridan drops to 7-7 on the season and will travel to Lapel on Tuesday.
