By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The Union City boys improved to 5-0 for the first time since their last state championship season 16 years ago with a 75-56 victory at Huntingdon on Tuesday night.
Senior guard Malaki Brooks continued his stellar early-season play with a game-best 28 points and needs just five more to reach 1,000 for his career in a Tornado uniform.
Joseph Lattus tacked on 11 points, and Tayehari Jones pitched in 10 as UC made 11 3-pointers and dictated the pace with full-court pressure to lead by as many as 26 points before head coach Shane Sisco emptied his bench in the final four minutes.
Union City’s girls couldn’t keep up with a similar frenzied style and the inside dominance of the Fillies’ Lilly Kee (23 points) in the opener and fell 63-43.
The Lady Tornadoes (2-3) continued to play hard until the final horn, though, cutting a 31-point deficit to the final margin while getting double-digit scoring from sisters Sh’Nyla (14) and Aujani Moss (11) and 11 more points from Debrionna Jones.
UC will return to Marty Sisco Gymnasium Saturday night to face Milan.
UC 75, Huntingdon 56 (B)
The last time the Purple and Gold started a season with five straight wins was 2007-08, when it marched to an unbeaten 37-0 campaign and the last of the program’s five state titles.
And while certainly nobody is looking that far ahead, Union City continued to show promise Tuesday with an effort that included strong play from Brooks and a capable supporting cast that numbered several players.
Brooks had 11 points in the first period to help his team open a double-figure advantage, but several other Twisters played key roles later.
Lattus had seven of his markers in the second frame, and DeAngelo Monroe knocked down a triple to help expand the difference to 19 (34-15) halfway through the second segment.
After the Mustangs (1-4) had shaved that margin to 41-35 at 4:30 of the third stanza, UC responded with a deciding surge that included treys from Tayshun Gentry, Jones, and C.J. Davis to highlight a 32-12 flurry fueled by smothering pressure.
Brooks, averaging 27.6 ppg, ended up with 14 in each half. Ten Tornadoes scored in all, with Kail just a deuce away from double figures with eight.
Huntingdon 63, UC 43 (G)
The Lady Twisters fell behind 12-2 early and were down 40-20 at the intermission against a veteran Huntingdon squad that showcased a nice inside-outside balance with Kee and six made 3-pointers.
Sh’Nyla Moss and Jones combined for all 20 of UC’s points over the first two frames.
Aujani Moss had all 11 of her markers – including a trio of trifectas – in the second half.
Union City’s unbeaten 2013-14 unbeaten state championship team will be recognized at halftime of Saturday’s boys’ game with Milan.