By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The Union City boys wrapped up the District 13A championship – the 40th league title in program history – with a 73-56 triumph at Gleason Tuesday night.
The Tornadoes, 17-10 overall, finished atop the 13A standings with an 11-1 mark after winning for the sixth time in their last seven games. The margin in those district victories was 32 points.
UC thus earned a first-round bye in the upcoming postseason tournament and an automatic berth in the regionals. The Twisters will play Friday, Feb. 21, in the district semis at UT Martin against the South Fulton-Dresden first round winner.
Ben McMillan had 21 of his game-high 24 points in the first half and made five of the Tornadoes’ 12 3-pointers Tuesday against Gleason. Kaler Bobo tacked on 12 as Union City used a 24-4 second-quarter surge to build a 27-point (44-17) halftime lead.
Reserves saw extensive playing time for the Purple and Gold in the second half.
The UC girls dropped the opening game, 54-45.
The Lady Twisters (18-9, 9-3) never led in the contest and lost for just the second time in their last 12 games.
Gleason led by as many as 14 points in the fourth period before the Lady Tornadoes closed to within five on three occasions in the final minute.
Jada Williams tallied a game-best 20 points despite the defeat. Freshman Amari Bonds was limited to just eight, getting the first of those markers late in the third quarter.
UC had won an earlier meeting by eight points.
Union City’s girls had already clinched second place in 13A and will host Lake County in an elimination game next Monday night, with the winner to not only advance to the district semis, but also earn a regional tourney berth.