By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City will step up in classification in the 2021-22 basketball season.
Second-year head coach Antawn Coby acknowledges his Lady Tornadoes must up their game to fit in.
“With what we lost to graduation and with us moving to Double-A, it’ll take a collective effort from everyone this year for us to compete at a high level in our district,” insisted Coby, who directed UC to a 14-12 mark and the regional semifinals last season in Class 1A.
Union City was bumped to Double-A when the state implemented a new four-class format last spring. And while the Purple and Gold were regularly tested against top-quality competition in the 1A ranks the past several seasons, they’ll likely find the going even more challenging after landing in District 12-AA with the likes of traditional state powers Westview, Gibson County and Huntingdon – along with Milan.
The Lady Tornadoes do return three starters, including leading scorer Amari Bonds (16.6 ppg) and steady perimeter sisters Sophie (6.6) and Marlee (3.7) Theobald. The trio logged more than 25 minutes per game each a year ago, and each brings either explosiveness and/or intangibles to the big picture.
“We have some experience in Amari (Bonds) and the Theobald (Sophie and Marlee) girls,” Coby continued. “They’ll collectively have to play even better than they have in the past, and we’ll have to get some contributions from several others who don’t have as much playing experience if we want to compete with the really good teams in our district.
“I’ve challenged a couple of our kids to ‘be different.’ If you’ve been passive before, ‘be different’ and be aggressive this year. I want them to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
In addition to facing a higher grade of competition, UC must fill the void left by the graduation of Arkansas State signee Jada Williams and guard Kylie McCadney – both of whom filled various roles.
According to their coach, the Lady Tornadoes will play an up-tempo style, who said fullcourt pressure will be a trademark as his squad looks to overcome an overall lack of size and experience defending the post.
“We’ll be full-blown fast-paced… that’s the way we have to play,” Coby added. “We’ll chase offensive rebounds, and we’ll defend with fullcourt pressure. We have to create some opportunities for ourselves on the defensive end, and we showed at times last season that we’re very capable of that.
“We can’t let teams get it into the paint. Pressure is our best option to keep that from happening. Our defense will certainly dictate how successful we are.”
Bonds (5-9, Jr.) will certainly need to be a shot-maker for the Twister girls and must elevate her field goal percentage from a year ago. She is equally capable as a scorer from the perimeter or on the move.
Sophie Theobald (5-4) is one of just two seniors on the squad. She brings tons of experience as a scorer, ballhandler, facilitator and defender.
Marlee Theobald (5-5, Soph.) has been challenged by Coby to “be more aggressive” in her second year as a starter. Like her sister, she is fundamentally sound and will be counted on in all facets.
Khia German (5-9) is the team’s other 12th-grader and will be looked to for quality minutes in the post after making good progress from last season. She has been slowed somewhat in the preseason by a knee injury.
Adaiysha Snow (5-8, Jr.), despite limited experience, will get the opportunity for court time inside, too.
Guards Emmeline Qualls and Ada Rogers, both 5-4 sophomores, will be counted on for defense and aggressive play and are in the mold of McCadney last season, Coby claimed.
“Those two are going to pressure people and force the issue when they’re in the game,” he stated.
Jamari Cox (5-4, Jr.) — a capable spot-up shooter — will get some looks as well.
Sophomore Aujani Moss (5-8) could be a wildcard in UC’s success with her length and athletic ability at the front of the Lady Tornado press. Coby called her the best athlete on the team.
Jermyia Bonds (5-8, Soph.) is also in the mix for minutes inside.
The team has had a couple of injury setbacks with freshmen Jamaya Fair (hip) and Debrionna Jones (torn ACL) out.
“We’ll be an underdog, I’m sure, when we get into district play… simply because of the tradition and history of the other programs,” Coby concluded. “There will be some growing pains, and we’ll be at a size disadvantage many times.
“But our girls have worked hard and they are getting better. I really believe they’ll step up to the many challenges that’ll face us and I look forward to seeing how we progress as the season goes on.”
Union City opens its 2021-22 campaign with the first of two Hall of Championships games Tuesday night at Trenton.