By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Welcome back, Malaki Brooks.
Energized by the return of its top scorer after a lengthy injury absence, Union City knocked off fifth-ranked Gibson County 56-46 to celebrate Senior Night Tuesday at Marty Sisco Gymnasium.
The Tornadoes won back-to-back games for the first time this season and snapped GC’s 11-game winning streak in avenging an earlier embarrassing 37-point loss to the Pioneers, who suffered their first District 12-AA setback of the season.
Brooks, who had averaged more than 20 points per-game early in the season, saw his first action after missing 16 games with a foot injury and provided the Tornadoes great confidence by allowing other players to move back into their more customary roles.
He scored just six points in limited minutes but provided a calming effect to his teammates after receiving a huge ovation from the Purple and Gold faithful when he entered the contest late in the opening quarter.
D.J. Robinson, one of three boys’ players honored in Senior Night ceremonies, turned in a splendid 22-point performance to pace Union City offensively. Robinson scored on a variety of slashes to the basket, sank a trio of 3-pointers, and was 7-of-9 from the foul line for the Twisters, who improved to 8-17 overall and 3-4 in district play.
Gibson County is now 17-7 and 6-1, respectively.
The UC girls were beaten 62-38 by the No. 5 Lady Pioneers in the opener.
GC (21-7, 5-2) took control midway through the second period and limited Tornado scoring machine Amari Bonds to a season-low 10 points in cruising to the victory.
Union City is now 8-17 in all games and 2-5 in league play.
The Tornado teams will close their respective regular seasons Thursday night with make-up games at Martin Westview.
UC 56, GC 46 (B)
While Brooks obviously made a huge difference for Union City on the offensive end, a gritty effort on defense was also critical to the Tornado triumph.
C.J. Davis was his usual harassing self and served as the catalyst for UC, while Jaylen Lewis drew three critical charging calls as the Twisters forced the Pioneers into 19 turnovers.
Union City broke open the tight contest in the last 10 minutes with 14 unanswered points that turned a 36-35 deficit into a 49-36 lead. Robinson’s acrobatic 3-point play on a drive to the bucket gave his team a 43-36 advantage heading into the final frame, and a pair of Lewis hoops that sandwiched two foul shots by Brooks made it a 13-point game with just under five minutes to go.
The Twisters then survived some shaky free throw shooting the rest of the way – their lead never less than double figures.
Davis and Ben Kail finished with nine points apiece to back Robinson’s game-high scoring effort.
A UC victory at Westview Thursday night would give the Tornadoes the No. 3 seed in the upcoming district tournament and an automatic berth in the District 12-AA Tournament. Should the Tornadoes lose vs. the Chargers, a coin flip would decide the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds.
The No. 4 seed would host an elimination district tourney play-in game next Tuesday night against Huntingdon.
GC 62, UC 38 (G)
The Lady Tornadoes showed some fight but couldn’t muster enough offense to hang with GC.
Union City managed just 15 field goals in the contest, while the Pioneers were good for 26 – including six 3-pointers.
Gibson County’s defense also limited the touches and shot attempts by Bonds, who had two field goals in the second quarter and her other three in the final frame.
Marlee Theobald shouldered UC’s scoring load during the first three periods with all 11 of her team-high points during that time.
The Twister girls trailed 14-9 after one, 31-17 at halftime, and 45-24 with three quarters in the books.
GC put three players in double figures, led by Micah Hart’s 19 points.
Union City will host Milan Monday in a district tournament play-in game.