By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
About everything that could go wrong did for the Union City High School girls’ basketball team.
Still, the Lady Tornadoes made it to the regional tournament for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.
With a little better fortune, UC is aiming for a lot higher standing this year.
“I feel like – given all that happened last year with the injuries, the illnesses and the plain old bad luck – we got about as much as we could out of the season,” head coach Chuck Reedy said of his 12-18 rookie campaign as the Lady Twister head coach. “We weren’t skilled enough to overcome a lot of those things, but the girls never quit giving good effort.
“The up-side of last year is that we gained a ton of experience. Several players who wouldn’t have gotten a lot of minutes otherwise were pressed into playing. We had a shallow bench and kids had to play at times where we may’ve looked over there and found someone else to put in. That’s just the reality of it.
“But I do believe that’s going to help us this season. That experience, coupled with a good offseason where every single one of our high school players got better, will show up this year. We’ve had several girls take ownership of the team and become leaders. Add in a couple of promising middle school players, and I don’t believe us getting to the state tournament is an unrealistic goal.”
There does appear to be quality depth on this year’s Lady Tornado roster, one that includes five seniors and three juniors, and features last year’s top scorer Jada Williams, who is drawing interest from a number of college scouts after a stellar summer-ball season.
The presence of veterans Shyon Stephens and Kyndall Davis – both of whom have gotten a wealth of playing time the last two seasons – along with the return from injury of Shadimon Henry adds to the potential of a team that will again compete in a district that produced last year’s Class 1A state champion (Greenfield) and counts at least five quality programs.
“The girls know what it takes to compete in this league,” Reedy added. “They’ve worked extremely hard in the weight room in the offseason and with their individual skill development as well. We’re physically better, no doubt.
“Carrying that over to the court is something I expect. When we beat Bradford (to make it to the regional tournament) last year, it was a proud moment for me because of all we went through. The regional tournament is not our goal this year, though. I truly believe that all our hard work in the offseason has been put in because the girls know what we’ll face in the district and they have aspirations of taking it to the next level.”
More consistent scoring is key to the Lady Tornadoes taking the step to the next level, according to Reedy.
“I know playing hard cures a lot of ills, but the really good teams have to be able to score in one-on-one or two-on-two situations,” said the coach, who enjoyed successful stints as an assistant at UC, Obion Central and Gibson County before getting his first head coaching job with the Lady Tornadoes.
“We put up a ton of shots in the offseason, trying to get better. We have to be able to score more and better. That’s the difference in the average teams and the really good ones.”
Williams, a versatile 5-11 junior who averaged a team-high 13 ppg last season, is capable of dominating as a perimeter player or inside. She’s particularly effective at taking defenders off the dribble and likely will be lethal in pick and roll situations. Initial plans are for her to open at the four-spot.
Sophie Theobald (Soph., 5-4) returns to run the Lady Tornado show after gaining valuable experience there as a freshman. A “gym rat,” according to Reedy, Theobald is also a hustler who is unafraid to take big shots at clutch times.
Henry (Sr., 5-7) will also see time in the backcourt while continuing to get to 100 percent health-wise after an ACL tear cost her most of last season.
Kylie McCadney (Jr., 5-5) has been identified by her coach as the team’s most improved player and will again hold down the other starting guard slot. A tenacious defender with great quickness, McCadney has shown significant offensive improvement following extensive offseason work.
She’ll be backed by freshman Ciera Williams, a talented player whom Reedy called his “ace in the hole.”
Davis (Sr., 5-11) made a club-high 41 3-point shots a year ago and has improved that accuracy since last season. She’ll be asked to be a steady outside threat in 2019-20, while also lending a hand in the rebounding department. Triana Mackins will be Davis’ back-up at the small forward position.
Heralded freshman Amari Bonds (5-7) has unlimited potential and will see time at both forward slots. With a knack for getting to the basket as well as a nice mid-range shot, Bonds could fill a major role as the season progresses with a continued better work ethic on the defensive end.
Stephens (Sr., 5-10) is a tireless rebounder and led the team a year ago in that category with 7.8 per-game. She’ll be an undersized post player at the five-spot, but won’t shy away from contact or the physicality of the game in the paint. Khia German could see some minutes as a reserve.
“Obviously, we need a little luck in the health department, as we found out last year,” Reedy concluded. “But if we have that and continue to work hard, I can see us in the conversation as a contender for a lot of good things.”
UC will play in the Dyersburg Jamboree Saturday before opening its 2019-20 season Tuesday night at home against Memphis Ridgeway.
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