By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City High School senior Ben Kail has capped his stellar high school basketball career with one final honor.
The District 14A regular season Most Valuable Player and the MVP of that league’s postseason tourney, Kail was named to the 15-member Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State team today.
The accomplishment was the last in the UCHS playing career for the 6-1 senior guard, who also eclipsed the 1,000-point mark during his time in a Purple and Gold uniform.
Kail averaged 18.4 points per game during his senior campaign when he led the Tornadoes to the 14A district championship in both the regular season and at tournament time. He scored in double figures 27 times in 30 games, including a career-high 42 points with eight 3-pointers against Gibson County in a December contest.
Kail also led Union City in steals (2.8) and was second on the team in rebounding (4.0). He shot 49.4 percent from the field and 82.2 percent from the free-throw line. For the season, he made 64 shots from beyond the arc.
Ben was one of seven seniors chosen for the Class 1A roster – one that included a pair of Humboldt players (Kendrick Taylor and Darion Taylor), and McKenzie’s Tate Surber.
Ever humble, Kail, who was also named to the 14A All-Academic Team, was gracious when informed of the accolade.
“It means a lot, and I’m just so blessed for every honor I’ve received,” he said. “I’m thankful for my teammates, the coaches who spent so much time with me, and just for the experiences that Union City basketball has given me.”
Kail burst onto the prep scene as a skinny freshman who made a handful of timely 3-point shots to help the Tornadoes advance in the 2022 postseason.
His game steadily evolved over the next three years when he physically matured with the aid of extensive weight room work under the watchful eye of UC assistant coach Ronald Ward. Ben ultimately became equally effective driving to the bucket and finishing at the rim, pairing those qualities with his continued accuracy from the perimeter.
As a senior, he added point-guard duties to his game, effectively distributing the ball to his teammates to become a complete player.
“I was a lot smaller, and I wasn’t very fast as a freshman. Shooting was about all I could do,” Kail chuckled. “I was so blessed to have good coaching – both as an individual and in the team concept – and my game got better.
“Being able to watch Mali (2024 Mr. Basketball Finalist Malaki Brooks) last year and what he was able to do consistently was a great help. And just being able to practice and play against guys who challenged me every day was really important.
“Again, I’m just so grateful.”
TSWA ALL-STATE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Class 1A
Jacob Amonett, Pickett County, Sr.
Auden Slaughter, Santa Fe, Sr.
Derrick Roberson, Chattanooga Prep, Jr.
Ja’Coby Lewis, Hillcrest, Sr.
Trey Vann, Jellico, Jr.
Kendrick Taylor, Humboldt, Sr.
Cadence Collins, Chattanooga Prep, Fr.
Cruz Coggins, Cosby, Jr.
Andrew Cole, University High-Johnson City, Sr.
John Hardin, Unaka, So.
Tate Surber, McKenzie, Sr.
Cayman Camfield, Wayne County, Jr.
Camden Cole, Eagleville, Jr.
Ben Kail, Union City, Sr.
Darion Taylor, Humboldt, So.