By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City beat Bradford at its own game.
Matching the Red Devils’ trademark grit and physicality, UC avenged its only district loss and took over sole possession of first place in 13A with a 56-38 victory over Bradford Tuesday night.
Ben McMillan poured in 27 points and Kaler Bobo tacked on 14 as the Purple and Gold “mucked it up” with the visitors for most of the first half, according to head coach Shane Sisco, then pulled away after the intermission behind the shooting of its backcourt duo.
Bobo drained back-to-back triples in the third period to stretch the lead to double figures before McMillan bottomed three triples and scored 13 of his points in the final eight minutes.
The victory gave the Tornadoes (15-10, 9-1) a leg up on Bradford (17-7, 8-2) for the top seed in the upcoming postseason tournament while also serving as payback for an earlier 48-40 loss to the Redmen.
The UC girls also recorded a noteworthy win, locking up second place in District 13A with a 52-46 come-from-behind triumph in the opener.
Amari Bonds had a game-high 26 points and Sophie Theobald fueled a third-quarter rally with a pair of 3-pointers as the Lady Tornadoes (17-8, 8-2) secured the No. 2 seed in the league’s postseason bracket behind only No. 1 ranked and unbeaten Greenfield.
The Twister girls made 9-of-9 free throws in the fourth quarter and 11-of-12 in all after taking the lead for good on Shyon Stephens’ 3-point play with 6:59 left in the game.
Union City will celebrate Senior Night Friday in its final regular season home game when South Fulton visits.
UC 56, Bradford 38 (B)
In a contest that had a postseason feel with its physical nature that included several hard fouls and rugged play, the Tornadoes never trailed.
Up just 12-10 midway through the second period when the contest had little flow, UC got some separation when McMillan scored six straight points – including a 3-ball – to build the lead to eight points at the intermission.
The Twisters found some offensive rhythm late in the third stanza when Bobo connected from deep twice to stretch the lead to 28-17. The senior guard then hit again from beyond the arc in the first 75 seconds of the fourth period before McMillan took over – scoring 11 in a row, including a trio of triples – to expand the difference 46-27 and end any suspense over the outcome.
“It was an ugly game and the whistle blew constantly with fouls and turnovers and not much flow,” Sisco continued. “It was physical, and the type of game we need as that will be what we’ll see in the postseason. We sorta mucked it up with them in the first half, but then made some shots in the second half.
“I thought we got some great minutes from (Hudson) Calfee and Nolan (Wilson) off the bench. We turned to them during important times in the game and they gave us plus-minutes when they were in there. That says something about them, for them to come in and play like that in the most important game of the season.
“We hold our destiny in our own hands now, as far as finishing first in the district, and that’s all you can ask for. It would mean an extra day’s rest and an automatic berth in the regional tournament if we can win our last two league games against South Fulton and Gleason.”
UC 52, Bradford 46 (G)
Down twice by 12 points in a lackluster first half, the Lady Twisters jump-started their comeback with fullcourt pressure that forced Bradford turnovers and easy UC chances at points.
The first of Theobald’s treys and three straight deuces by Jada Williams chopped the deficit to four halfway through the third quarter. Theobald then connected again to give Union City its first lead at 33-32.
Bonds’ trifecta near the end of the frame made it 36-all with eight minutes to play.
Stephens’ tie-breaking old-fashioned 3-point play came on a second-chance opportunity. Bonds then accounted for points on consecutive possessions before sinking a huge triple with 1:36 to play after Bradford had cut the difference to 43-42.
Bonds, Theobald and Williams then all made two free throws in the final 35 seconds to seal the deal.
“We sped up the game with our press,” Lady Tornado skipper Chuck Reedy said following the game. “We just couldn’t get a shot to fall in the first half, and I thought we settled for jump shots rather than taking the ball to the hole.
“In the second half, we got to the rim. Sophie’s two 3-pointers were big, and then we made our free throws when we needed to. I’ve always said that free throws and layups decide close games and we had the right people at the line.”
Theobald joined Bonds in double figures with 10 points, while both Williams and Stephens finished with eight apiece.
GIRLS
BRADFORD — 46
Rebecca Walter 16, Hannah Avery 13, Dezarsi White 11, Powell 3, Bane 3.
UNION CITY — 52
Amari Bonds 26, Sophie Theobald 10, Williams 8, Stephens 8,
Bradford 13 13 10 10 — 46
Union City 5 12 19 16 — 51
Records: UC 17-8 (8-2); Bradford 11-13 (4-6).
BOYS
BRADFORD — 38
Schover 9, Macklin 6, N. Ogelsby 6 Williams 4, Ledbetter 4, Taylor 3, Arnold 2, C. Ogelsby 2, Siddell 2.
UNION CITY — 56
Ben McMillan 27, Kaler Bobo 14, Sanders 5, Blackman 4, Wilson 4, Theobald 2,
Bradford 7 5 9 17 — 38
Union City 12 8 12 24 — 56
Records: UC 15-10 (9-1); Bradford 17-7 (8-2).
Next Games: UC plays host to South Fulton for Senior Night, Friday at 6.