For the first time since 2009, the Union Co. Lady Panthers are Region 8-AA champions after defeating Banks Co. 37-33 on Monday, Feb. 10, at Rabun Co. High in Tiger.

From left, senior Brooke Dockrey, sophomore Rebekah Chambers, sophomore Ansley Collins, and junior Kyla Locklear celebrate after winning the region title.

The Lady Panthers (21-6) were led in scoring by sophomore Ava Hunter’s 11 points, but the highlight of the game came in the final minute as senior Brooke Dockrey answered the bell on defense and sank 3-of-4 clutch free throws to seal the win for Union Co.

Dockrey came up with two steals in the game’s final minute, got fouled on each, and managed to lock up the win.

Head coach Crystal Beach, in her first season at the helm, said she wasn’t surprised by the standout performance of her senior point guard.

“You expect that of your senior commander on the court,” Beach said. “She went out and led the team with her play.”

Dockrey’s final two made free throws, which sealed the win for Union Co., can be seen below.

Things didn’t look like they would go Union Co.’s way heading into the final quarter.

After scoring a season-low 16 points in the first half, the Lady Panthers trailed by five, 31-26, heading into the fourth.

But then the defense took over.

From left, Banks Co. senior Pollie Simpson, Union Co. sophomore Ava Hunter, junior Kyla Locker, and freshman Ellie Cook, Banks Co. senior Heather Vaughn, and Union Co. senior Brooke Dockrey all take position after a shot.

With senior Andelin Hill running the top of a zone full-court press, the Lady Panthers managed to shake the Lady Leopards (14-15) and hold them to just two points in the final frame.

Hill scored twice, senior Kait McCarter once, and Hunter managed to score her final two points of the game as part of an 8-2 run to start the period.

“We’ve talked all season about focus, about paying attention to the small details, and that’s what you have to do to beat a great program like Banks Co.,” Beach said. “We knew they would go on a run at some point, and they did, but we can’t control that. We can only control ourselves.”

During the fourth-quarter run by the Lady Panthers, Hill managed to use her height and athletic ability to slap several passes back where they came from at the top of the zone press.

Beach said she expected nothing less from another senior leader on the team.

Sophomore Ava Hunter takes a jump shot Monday, Feb. 10. Hunter finished with a team-high 11 points.

“She’s a senior, and they’ve been in tough situations before, so she and the rest of the team didn’t get rattled,” Beach said of Hill and the rest of her champions.

As to what it means to be region champions in her first year as head coach, Beach said, “I’m just so proud of my girls and the way they battled. This has been a special season with the whole community behind us.”

Dockrey, McCarter, and Hill each finished with eight points, while freshman Ellie Cook added a pair of made free throws to round out the scoring for Union Co.

The Lady Panthers will face the No. 4 seed from Region 6-AA, Therrell (10-10), in the first round of the state playoffs.

Beach said she has requested that game by held at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, but hasn’t received confirmation.

No matter what day or time the game occurs, it will happen in Blairsville. As region champions, they are the No. 1 seed and will host the first round.

The 21 wins by the Lady Panthers this season are the most since the school’s state runner-up team in 2001 managed 23 wins.

Union Co. has never won a state championship in girls basketball.