By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City might have run out of time, but the Lady Tornadoes are not out of chances.
A frantic fourth-quarter rally that carved a 21-point deficit to six ultimately came up short as UC lost to eighth-ranked Gibson County 67-57 in the District 14-2A semifinals Thursday night.
The Twister girls (14-13) will now face Peabody (11-16) – a 52-36 loser to top-seeded Westview – in Saturday’s third-place game at Martin. No matter the outcome, Union City will advance on to regional play next Friday (Feb. 28), traveling to either Adamsville or Scotts Hill.
A pair of Gibson County flurries – one that stretched from the middle of the first quarter to early in the second when the Pioneers ran off 13 points, and another in the third stanza when GC expanded their lead to 21 – proved to be too much for the Tornadoes to overcome.
It wasn’t from a lack of effort, though.
Addy Launer and Alli McMillan each drained a pair of 3-pointers, and Blair McKinnis muscled her way to eight points over a six-minute span as UC put together a 21-8 rally to get within 60-54 with 2:10 to play.
A swarming full-court defensive effort, fueled by freshmen Maddie Steward, McKinley Dean, and Amberly Morgan, gave the comeback energy.
In the end, however, GC – which split a pair of regular-season meetings with the Purple and Gold – made five consecutive free throws to stave off the Twisters’ charge.
“Our effort was phenomenal, especially in the fourth quarter,” UC head coach Mason Storey said afterward. “We got hot late and really forced the pace to give ourselves a chance.
“We got a little out of sorts in our zone early, and they exposed some things that ignited their runs. We weren’t as aggressive attacking them, didn’t make enough shots, and tried to force some things. We had way too many live-ball turnovers, and that always creates opportunities for the other team.”
With leading scorer Sh’Nyla Moss getting extra defensive attention and held to nine points, McKinnis (15) and Launer (13) picked up the Tornadoes’ offensive slack. Both Launer and McMillan (9 points) bottomed three triples apiece.
UC took its last lead midway through the opening stanza when Moss converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to put her team up 8-7. The Pioneers immediately seized control afterward, though, capitalizing on the Lady Twisters’ suddenly cold shooting and multiple turnovers.
Gibson County led 20-8 at the first-quarter horn and 31-18 at halftime.
The difference was 19 (41-22) barely three minutes into the third segment, and 21 a few seconds later before the quarter ended, and Union City’s comeback began with a 52-33 count.
“Our kids always play hard and tonight was no different,” Storey added. “There was no quit in them, even though we had a couple battling sickness and another one with a bum ankle.
“I expect Peabody’s best effort Saturday night (in the consolation game), and they really played well against Westview tonight. Whomever we play in the first round of the regional, that will be a long road trip. We still want that third-place spot, though.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 2, South Fulton 0
The Tornadoes picked up their second win in three nights, beating the Lady Red Devils in straight sets (25-10 and 25-13).
“I was very proud of how we played and worked together as a team,” UC head coach Abby Suiter said. “We focused on serving, communication, and finding a way to create our own energy in practice, and it really showed.”
The Lady Twister jayvee team came out on the short end of a 2-1 count, losing the deciding Game 3, 16-14.
Union City (2-2) plays at Martin on Tuesday night.