By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City will not return home from Florida empty handed.
Ben McMillan was named to the All-Tournament team and freshman AJ Blackman won the Hustle Award for the Tornadoes at the conclusion of the Wayne Gandy Holiday Tournament in Haines, Fla., Saturday.
The Tornadoes wrapped up play in the event with a 51-43 loss to Orlando University High in the fifth-place game Saturday. UC, which will begin the second half of its season with a 9-5 record and home game against visiting Dyer County Jan. 4, went 1-2 in the tourney.
McMillan, Union City’s leading scorer on the season, scored 63 points in three tournament games – eclipsing the 20-point mark in each of those contests. He had 21 Saturday in the setback to OUH.
The UC girls, meanwhile, dropped their third straight close game in the Farmer’s National Bank Holiday Classic in Bowling Green (Ky.) Saturday, losing 56-52 to Newport Catholic.
Coupled with a narrow 45-42 loss to Bardstown late Friday, the Lady Tornadoes are now 7-6 entering today’s 1 p.m. finale.
Union City’s three losses in the tournament have come by a combined 10 points.
The following is a recap:
OUH 51, UC 43 (B)
Head coach Shane Sisco deemed himself pleased with Union City’s play in its finale, calling it a “great effort” against a team that was long and athletic.
The Tornadoes led 11-10 after one and 21-19 at halftime in the closely contested game. OUH carried a narrow 37-36 advantage into the fourth quarter, then outscored UC 14-7 in the final eight minutes.
McMillan made a trio of 3-pointers, two 2-pointers and 8-of-10 free throws in his third straight solid game. He scored nine of his points in the opening frame.
Nick Sanders added seven points to the Twister cause.
NC 56, UC 52 (G)
The Lady Tornadoes had erased a five-point halftime deficit heading into the fourth quarter, but fell short for the third consecutive game in the Kentucky tournament.
Eight misses in 17 free throw trips hurt Union City’s chances for victory.
Amari Bonds scored 19 of her 24 points in the second half, including three 3-pointers in the third quarter. Jada Williams had 13 markers in her best scoring game of the event.
Bardstown 45, UC 42 (G)
Union City played a second game late Friday, suffering its second 3-point loss in just a few hours.
The Twister girls led 32-28 after three quarters, but were outscored 17-10 in the final frame. UC held a 27-13 lead at the half.
Bardstown shot 14 free throws in the fourth period.
Kyndall Davis bottomed four 3-pointers in all – three of those coming in the second stanza – on her way to a 15-point performance for the Lady Tornadoes. Bonds added 11 points.
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