By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City High School head boys’ basketball coach Shane Sisco has never been one to shy away from lofty expectations.
The coming season is no exception.
“I think — given what we have returning — anything short of a sectional berth would be disappointing for this group,” claimed Sisco, who is the winningest coach in the storied history of the UCHS program with 477 victories and a pair of state championships in his 20 seasons on the Tornado bench.
Union City returns four of five starters from last year’s 24-win team that was beaten in an overtime heartbreaker in the regional semifinals by eventual Class 1A state runner-up Humboldt.
Among those returnees is leading scorer Ben McMillan (16 ppg), starting point guard Kaler Bobo, who led the team in assists, and a deep and talented frontcourt that is expected to be one of the strengths of a team that has improved significantly during the offseason, according to its coach.
The group is already dealing with some adversity, however, as junior forward Taylan Tibble – called the “hardest worker, most improved player and unofficial team captain” by Sisco — suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason scrimmage.
Add the loss of 6-4 swingman Tyler Walton, the only senior from last year’s team who led the Twisters in a number of statistical categories and was the No. 2 scorer on the 2018-19 squad, and Sisco is already thinking of how to juggle his starting five.
He’s not wavering on his expectations, though.
“We have some depth up front, and it just means that everyone is going to have to do a little bit more than originally planned,” the coach continued. “It’s obviously not the ideal way to begin a season, but, if it had to happen, it’s best that it happened in the preseason, rather than during the year or right before the tournaments.
“Tribble going down is a real blow. He has worked so hard and was going to be so much of a part of what we were going to do and create match-up problems for the other teams. We had held out hope that we might get him back in January, but the MRI showed both a torn ACL and a torn MCL.
“As far as Tyler (Walton), he just did so much for us. A lot of it showed up in statistics, and some other things didn’t. He allowed us to play a lot of zone defense because of his length, and he also evolved into a player who not only had great (shooting) range, but could also put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.”
Sisco, whose teams have posted eight straight 20-win seasons, said this year’s squad should be adept at playing both zone and man defense – depending upon its opponent — utilizing its size and improved quickness and athleticism.
There appears likewise to be a good mix of 3-point shooters and players who can convert mid-range jump shots and others who can potentially be inside threats.
McMillan (Jr., 5-11) shot 46 percent from beyond the arc last season and has uncanny range at the two-guard. He has made improvement, according to his coach, putting the ball on the floor and getting closer to the goal.
Bobo had a tremendous offseason and has improved greatly overall, Sisco said, after averaging nearly five assists last season as the team’s lead-guard. A good ball handler who has proven to be an excellent distributor, the 5-10 senior is also a capable scorer.
The small-forward spot and backcourt depth will be provided by capable veterans Sam Theobald (Sr., 6-0), Carter Walton (Jr., 6-0), Nolan Wilson (Sr., 6-0) and 5-8 freshman AJ Blackman.
Theobald, Walton and Wilson all had their promising moments at times a year ago and bring multiple skills along with that experience to the table. Theobald is both heady and fundamentally sound, while Walton gives great effort and has a high motor. Wilson is one of the strongest players on the team, and is both athletic and jumps well, says Sisco.
Blackman has a considerable up-side with his court awareness and passing abilities.
Tariq Broadway (Jr., 5-10) could be in the mix with his athleticism once he returns from an early-season suspension.
Up front, even with the loss of Tribble – who won the state discus championship as a sophomore last spring, there is a plethora of experience and different skill sets.
Nick Sanders (Sr., 6-4), is back and will have a bigger role with Tribble out inside, hopeful of using his great length on both ends.
Neil Brown (Jr., 6-5), could be a difference-maker at center, once he rounds into shape from football, where he’s a three-year starter at offensive tackle and defensive end. Brown needs to be both an effective rebounder and must provide a strong inside presence underneath for the Purple and Gold to be at its best.
Hudson Calfee (Sr., 6-1) will bring great grit and hustle and tremendous work ethic while being in the rotation inside.
As is usually the case, UC should be battle-tested once the postseason arrives as Sisco has non-district games scheduled against always-tough Ridgeway, Haywood, Covington and Dyer County in addition to holiday tournaments at Harding Academy in Memphis and another in Florida.
The Twisters are expected to battle it out with South Fulton and Lake County – both of whom have several starters returning – in District 13A.
“The (Tribble) injury has put a little damper on things right now, but we’re excited and looking forward to the challenge of another great basketball season,” Sisco concluded.
“I expect it to be a successful one, and so do our kids.”
UC opens the 2019-20 campaign with a home Hall of Champions doubleheader against Memphis Ridgeway Tuesday night at Marty Sisco Gymnasium.
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