By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
The 2025-26 season is off to a good start for Union City’s two basketball squads.
A doubleheader sweep at Lake County on Saturday night wrapped up Opening Week and capped a 3-0 beginning for the UC girls and a 2-1 start for the Tornado boys.
Union City stormed to a 19-point halftime lead and made nine 3-pointers in Game 1 at Tiptonville on its way to a 62-36 romp. The Twisters overcame 29 turnovers in the nightcap and made just enough plays in the final minutes to escape with a 54-51 triumph.
The Tornadoes will host Jackson Christian School on Tuesday.
UC 62, Lake Co. 36 (G)
Uriah Davis sank three of her five 3-pointers in the second quarter as the Lady Tornadoes expanded an eight-point lead to 33-14 at halftime.
Head coach Mason Storey got all his players into the contest in the second half as UC completed the most lopsided of its three victories thus far after outscoring the Lady Falcons 41-20 over the middle two frames.
The Twister girls made nine treys in all, with Addy Launer hitting three times from beyond the arc.
Davis finished with 17 points, second only to Sh’Nyla Moss, who hit for a game-best 19, including 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Moss has now made 22 consecutive free throws and 26-of-28 for the season.
Launer gave Union City three players in double figures with 11 markers.
UC 54, Lake Co. 51 (B)
The Tornadoes held their breath as LC missed a tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.
The contest was tied at 44-all after three periods. Union City hit just three field goals in the final frame, but J.B. Thompson connected on 3-of-4 free throws in the last minute to help his team hold on. The Twisters made but half of their 20 foul shots in the contest.
Thompson was UC’s most consistent offensive threat with 20 points. Freshman Brayden Marshall finished with 10, including an old-fashioned 3-point play and a trifecta. Will Kail had a team-high eight rebounds.
The Tornadoes led 16-10 at the first-quarter horn and 33-30 at the half.