The REPORTER
University jumped out to a fast start in the Sectional 42 Class 2A championship game at Park Tudor Saturday, Feb. 7 but foul trouble and Monrovia’s pressure defense short circuited the Trailblazers start in an 82-33 loss to the 15th-ranked Bulldogs.
Gabby Culp and Leah Norvell opened the scoring for University, taking the Blazers to a 4-2 lead. Monrovia answered with five straight points for a 7-4 lead with 5:50 left in the first quarter. University tightened the defense and held Monrovia scoreless for the rest of the quarter.
Mack Feeney scored off an assist from Nyla Blanding before Blanding’s three pointer put University on top 9-7. Feeney added two free throws and Sydney Culp and Gabby Culp each split a pair of foul shots for a 13-7 lead after the opening quarter. University made 6 of 10 free throws in the first quarter, but after that did not attempt another foul shot in the game.
Feeney and Sydney Culp picked up their third fouls early in the second quarter and Monrovia jumped on top 14-13 midway through the period. After the Bulldogs extended their lead to 16-13, the Blazers ran off seven straight points for a 20-16 lead. Norvell broke a five-minute scoreless streak with a basket. Julie Montiel made a three pointer from the left wing and Gabby Culp had a rebound basket for a 20-16 lead with two minutes left in the half.
University still led 20-19 with less than 30 seconds left in the half, before two Monrovia steals led to three points and a Bulldog lead. After a University missed shot, the Bulldogs added a buzzer beating half-court shot for a 25-20 lead at the break.
Monrovia scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter on their way to a 34-point quarter and a 59-28 lead. Three University starters fouled out in the late third and early fourth quarter.
Norvell led University in the championship game with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Feeney blocked six shots and collected five rebounds. Gabby Culp had seven rebounds.
The 2025-26 Trailblazers finished with a 10-12 record and were Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference runners-up and PAAC North Division champions for the ninth consecutive season.
University’s seniors left their mark on the Trailblazer record book.
Feeney finished in the top nine categories: fifth in career rebounds (501): third in career assists (225) and fifth in career assists per game (2.7); fifth in career steals (179) and third in career steals per game (2.2); third in career blocked shots (202) and second in career blocked shots per game (2.5); second in career assist to turnover ratio (2.23) and fifth in single season steals per game (3.0). Feeney is the first player in program history to average 3.0 or more assists in three separate seasons.
Sydney Culp finishes her Trailblazer career third in total three pointers (72), second in career free throw percentage (78 percent) and second in single season free throw percentage (81 percent).
Norvell is fifth in career three point baskets (68).
Gabby Culp is third in career rebound average per game (8.2).
