By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City’s girls began 2026 by paying off a debt from 2025.
The Lady Tornadoes avenged a bitter one-point loss in November with a solid 52-44 victory over host Jackson Christian School to begin the second half of their season on Saturday night.
It marked UC’s third consecutive victory – marking the second time this season they’ve put together such a streak. The Twister girls are now over .500 (9-8) heading into Tuesday’s game at Huntingdon.
Sh’Nyla Moss made nine fourth-quarter free throws, and Blair McKinnis joined her in double figures with 11 points to pace the Lady Tornadoes. Moss added six assists and five rebounds to the winning cause.
Recent offensive struggles continued for the Union City boys in the nightcap, however, as they fell 61-44 to the homestanding Eagles.
The Twisters (7-9) were outscored 32-18 over the middle two quarters – managing just six points in the second period – in dropping their third straight outing.
After Tuesday’s games at Huntingdon, UC will return home to host Gibson County on Friday to begin District 14AA play.
UC 52, JCS 44 (G)
The Lady Tornadoes were in control throughout Saturday’s rematch with JCS after suffering an earlier heartbreaking loss when the Lady Eagles threw in a half-court shot at the buzzer.
UC limited Jackson Christian School to five first-half field goals in building a 25-13 intermission advantage.
Addy Launer, who tied for the team lead in rebounds with five, knocked down a pair of first-quarter 3-pointers and scored all eight of her markers before halftime to lead a balanced scoring attack.
After JCS cut its double-digit deficit to 34-32 heading into the fourth quarter, the Twister girls responded by sinking 13-of-17 free throws down the stretch to cap a 23-of-28 overall effort.
Moss and McKinnis each were clutch from the charity stripe during the stretch run, while Alli McMillan sank a critical 3-pointer to contribute to the victory.
The Lady Eagles dropped to 13-6 with the loss.
JCS 61, UC 44 (B)
The Tornadoes, who fell 58-54 in an earlier meeting with JCS, could never find a consistent offensive rhythm and failed to crack the 45-point total for the third straight outing.
JCS (13-5) built leads of 18-12 after one quarter, 31-18 at halftime, and 50-30 with three periods in the book.
Hollister Johnson (12 points) was Union City’s lone double-figure scorer and the only Twister player with more than one made field goal.
Braden Marshall had eight points, and Kaden Robinson finished with seven.
UC did make 18-of-27 free throws in the contest.