By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The third time was the charm for Chuck Reedy.
After two losses to open the season, the rookie Union City girls’ coach picked his first victory Tuesday night when the Lady Tornadoes won on the road, 58-44, at Liberty Tech in Jackson.
“I’m so proud for the kids… I didn’t win, I didn’t score a basket, I didn’t get a rebound,” Reedy said afterward. “They deserved to win and all the credit goes to them.”
The Purple and Gold made it a sweep in the nightcap, outscoring the host team 13-2 down the stretch in winning the boys’ game 66-55.
The Union City girls will play twice more this week at the Gibson County Point Guard Classic, facing Humboldt Friday at 11 a.m., then playing South Gibson at noon on Saturday.
Both Twister squads will be in action next Tuesday, traveling to Westview.
UC 58, Liberty 44 (G)
The Lady Tornadoes held leads at each of the quarter breaks, 18-10, 36-23 and 44-36.
Reedy singled out the defensive play of Kylie McCadney as critical to the win.
“Kylie was the difference in the ballgame,” the Twister coach claimed. “She came in and really did an awesome job of taking away their best player’s right hand and making her go left.
“With Jada (Williams) and Shadimon (Henry) in foul trouble, we had some other girls step up offensively. Us turning the ball over just seven times was critical, and anytime we do that, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win.”
The Tornado girls had good balance, Williams leading a trio of double-figure scorers with 18 points. Shyon Stephens tacked on 15, while Sophie Theobald hit for a dozen markers.
UC 66, Liberty 55 (B)
Tyler Walton’s 3-pointer with just under three minutes to play broke a 53-all tie and Union City pulled away from the Crusaders down the stretch to win for the second time in three games.
The Twisters enjoyed a huge advantage at the free throw line, making 25-of-35, compared to just 3-of-5 for Liberty.
UC also got a huge lift with 27 points from its bench.
Ben McMillan scored 21 points to pace all scorers and Union City. Walton chipped in with 20. Walton also had seven steals, while Nick Sanders pulled down seven rebounds.
The Tornadoes trailed 14-8 after one, but outscored Liberty 17-9 in the second period to take a 25-23 halftime lead. UC was up 43-40 after three.
The winners shot 44 percent from the field overall, but made 9-of-17 attempts from 3-point range. Union City was guilty of 15 turnovers, but just five after halftime. Liberty committed 24 turnovers.
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