By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Senior Night was truly something special for the Union City boys.
Playing their final regular season home game at Marty Sisco Gymnasium, five Tornado seniors combined for 45 points and led the way to a 68-34 romp over South Fulton Friday night.
Sam Theobald, Nolan Wilson and Hudson Calfee joined regular starters Nick Sanders and Kaler Bobo in the opening lineup to commemorate the special occasion and all played significant roles in UC bolting to a 20-2 lead and never looking back.
Sanders tallied a team-high 17 points, Theobald drained a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 13, and Wilson scored nine. Bobo and Calfee finished with eight and six markers, respectively, the latter netting all his points in the first 4:15 when the District 13A leading Purple and Gold (16-10, 10-1) built a 14-2 advantage.
“That was as good a start to a game as we’ve had all season,” Union City head coach Shane Sisco said, while lauding the play of his upperclassmen. “And it was a credit to those five seniors who’ve worked so hard and been so good to and for this program.
“They’re all such high-character kids and they’ve worked hard every day in practice, in our offseason program and in the weightroom. That commitment allowed them to have the kind of night they had tonight and I thought it couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Four UC girls players also were honored in Senior Night ceremonies after the Lady Tornadoes struggled to a 35-21 victory in Game 1.
Kyndall Davis, Shyon Stephens, Triana Mackins and Daija Nunley played their last home regular season games and the Twisters overcame a lackluster overall performance to improve to 18-8 overall and 9-2 in league play.
Amari Bonds scored three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help Union City finally pull away from the scrappy Devilettes.
The Tornado teams will close their respective regular seasons with road games next week at Gleason (Tuesday) and at Dyer County (Friday).
UC 68, SF 34 (B)
Stellar defense from the opening tip fueled the Tornadoes, who forced a half-dozen turnovers before the contest was four minutes old.
Sanders made a rare trey, stuck home a follow shot and hit 3-of-4 free throws to capitalize early on the offensive end for UC. It was 20-5 at the first-quarter horn.
Ben McMillan hit back-to-back buckets late in the second stanza to highlight another surge just before the intermission that left the gap at 37-11 at halftime.
The remainder of the contest was academic.
“Defensively, we were very good in the first quarter,” Sisco added. “We were active, we communicated well, and we were able to convert several of their turnovers into points.
“I was really proud of Sam (Theobald) and (Hudson) Calfee and (Nolan) Wilson. They were all more than just support players tonight. … They played critical roles in what we were able to do.”
UC 35, SF 21 (G)
The Lady Tornadoes “had one of those games,” but still managed to do enough things to come out on top.
“We’ve had several very competitive games in a row, but we really didn’t seem to have a purpose tonight,” UC head coach Chuck Reedy said. “Credit South Fulton for really playing hard and getting after us and never quitting.
“I guess if you’re going to have a game like this, now is the time to have it – and not during the tournaments.”
Mackins bottomed a 3-pointer in the first quarter and Davis made first a deuce, then a triple to put the Lady Tornadoes in front.
SF went more than 12 minutes in the first half without a point, but still trailed just 16-4.
The difference dwindled to 21-16 after the Devilettes outscored Union City 12-5 in the third quarter before Bonds took over.
Her first two trifectas widened the gap to double figures (32-21) with the stretch run half over, then sealed the visitors’ fate with another bomb at the 2:45 mark.
South Fulton did not score in the final five minutes.
GIRLS
SOUTH FULTON — 21
McMinn 6, Quinn 6, Hodges 6, Mayo 3.
UNION CITY — 35
Amari Bonds 13, Davis 6, Stephens 5, Williams 5, Mackins 3, Theobald 3,
South Fulton 2 2 12 5 — 21
Union City 11 5 5 14 — 35
Records: UC 18-8 (9-2); SF 7-17 (1-10).
BOYS
SOUTH FULTON — 34
Bryce McFarland 13, Brock Brown 11, Whitehead 5, Britt 2, Johnson 2, Knott 1.
UNION CITY — 56
Nick Sanders 17, Sam Theobald 13, McMillan 9, Wilson 9, Bobo 8, Calfee 6, Blackman 6.
South Fulton 5 6 16 7 — 34
Union City 20 17 19 12 — 68
Records: UC 16-10 (11-1); SF 9-15 (6-5).
Next Games: UC plays at Gleason Tuesday night at 6.
Photos by Mike Hutchens.
