By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City’s girls were bumped to the consolation game of the District 12-AA Tournament following a 60-26 loss to top-ranked and unbeaten Westview Thursday night in Martin.
The Lady Tornadoes (9-19) will now face eighth-ranked Huntingdon (22-6) in Saturday’s third-place game at 6 p.m., prior to the Westview-Gibson County championship game. Fifth-ranked GC topped Huntingdon 58-50 in Thursday’s second semifinal.
Regardless of Saturday’s outcomes, all four teams will move on to the Region 6-AA tourney next week.
The reigning state champion Charger girls were simply too much for UC for a third time this season Thursday.
The Lady Twisters’ season-long struggles against fullcourt pressure were again evident as Westview forced a plethora of UC turnovers – many translating into easy offensive chances for Martin.
Westview was equally effective from the perimeter (10 3-pointers) and with dribble penetration that led to a bushel of easy layups in winning its 26th straight game this season and 52nd in a row over a span of two years.
Union City – playing without starting point guard Marlee Theobald (concussion) for a second straight game, and Aujani Moss (concussion) – was within striking distance late in the first period after two buckets by Debrionna Jones and two free throws by Amari Bonds.
The Lady Chargers, who got the last of their four 3-pointers at the first-quarter horn by Kylee Alexander, broke the contest open with a burst of 13 unanswered points, though.
Miss Basketball finalist and Middle Tennessee State University signee Jada Harrison had six points to head a 21-7 second stanza run to help Westview open a 37-13 lead at the half.
It was 52-19 heading into the fourth period after three more Lady Charger trifectas. The last seven minutes of the contest were played with a running clock due to the mercy rule.
Bonds made 6-of-8 foul shots, her team’s only 3-pointer, and a pair of deuces to lead UC with 13 points.
Four Westview players scored in double digits, with Alexander’s 14 atop that list.