Universal Music Group/Sony Music Entertainment
By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–He is the “other” Walton no more.
Sophomore Carter Walton – younger brother of Union City leading scorer Tyler Walton – put on a dazzling offensive display and dropped a career-best 32 points on Gleason Tuesday night as the Tornadoes ran away and hid from the Bulldogs, 92-42, at Marty Sisco Gymnasium.
The younger Walton made 11-of-17 shots from the field after coming off the bench and playing the last three quarters in the rout, making five of UC’s 13 3-pointers while accounting for 24 of his points in the second half.
A couple of his triples were from 25 feet or longer and he consistently attacked the basket with successful drives as well in the mercy-rule triumph.
“Carter’s play is a byproduct of his work ethic,” a smiling Twister head coach Shane Sisco said after Walton’s exhibition that highlighted Union City’s 19thwin and 11th in as many District 13A games. “He goes 100 miles-an-hour every day in practice and is always in constant motion.
“He always gives maximum effort and he’s one of the hardest workers we have on the team.”
In the opener, UC head coach Chuck Reedy couldn’t fault the effort of his shorthanded troops, who played without starting point guard Sophie Theobald and leading scorer Jada Williams – both suffering with the flu – in a 52-30 loss.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Reedy insisted afterward. “We knew handling the basketball against their pressure would be a problem for us without Sophie and Jada, but we found a way to keep it relatively close until late.
“Defensively, it might’ve been the best we’ve played all year. Everyone gave their best.”
Union City is right back in action tonight in the second of three doubleheaders in as many nights, traveling to South Fulton. The Tornado teams host Columbia Academy for Senior Night in their regular season finale Thursday.
UC 92, Gleason 42 (B)
Sisco played his starters in the first quarter only, but that group had the issue firmly in-hand with a 26-11 lead at the opening-period horn.
Ben McMillan scored 12 points, making a pair of treys, and Kaler Bobo hit two buckets to highlight a six-minute surge against the overmatched Bulldogs.
The Tornado reserves then took over and ran away and hid from the visitors.
Walton hit a pair of threebies and Jaxon Moran drained another to make it 46-19 at the half.
Walton then turned the second half into his own personal highlight reel, scoring 11 in the third stanza and 13 more in the final frame with the clock running continuously via the mercy rule.
“Our first group really got off to a good start and set the tone,” Sisco added. “That allowed us to sit those guys the rest of the game and that could be really important with us playing the next two nights, too.”
Tariq Broadway gave the Purple and Gold a third player in double figures, scoring 11 points.
Gleason 52, UC 30 (G)
The Lady Tornadoes were at their best early, leading by as much as 12-7 five minutes into the game.
Kendall Davis knocked down a 3-pointer and Shyon Stephens was active in the paint on the offensive end to highlight Union City’s play.
A rash of turnovers in the final 90 seconds of the quarter, three of which Gleason capitalized on, allowed the Lady Bulldogs to go in front for good at the opening period horn.
It was still close (26-19) at the half before the visitors opened a 40-26 advantage with three segments in the book.
A driving layup by Kylie McCadney early in the fourth got UC within a dozen, but the Twister girls could get no closer.
“I thought Shyon (Stephens) gave us a great effort and I was really pleased at the way Kylie (McCadney) attacked the basket,” Reedy added.
McCadney finished with a team-best 11 points for Union City, while both Davis and Stephens totaled eight.