Flowery Branch, Georgia- The Union County Basketball team traveled back to Cherokee Bluff to face off with Wilson Academy in the North Georgia High School Showcase.

First Quarter

In a very low scoring game for both teams, Jude Ellis got the Panthers on the board first as he made a midrange floater. Wilson Academy responded with 2 made free throws after the Panthers fouled on the attempted layup and took the lead, 4-2, after a Panther turnover. Hayden Payne made a layup to tie the game at 4. Ellis gave the Panthers a 9-4 lead after he scored 5 straight points after shooting 2 free throws, making a layup while being fouled and making the following free throw. Following a Panther turnover, Wilson Academy responded with a layup to cut the lead to 9-6. Lake Hughes made a corner 3 to extend the lead to 12-6. Wilson Academy made 1/2 free throws after the Panthers would foul on an attempted shot. The Panthers still led 12-7. Houston Henry made a corner 3 to give the Panthers a 15-7 lead. Wilson Academy quickly responded with a mid range jumper to cut the lead to 15-9.

Second Quarter

Wilson Academy got on the board first following turnovers by both teams to cut the lead to 15-11. Ellis responded with a 3 to extend the lead to 18-11. Wilson Academy scored 4 straight points after back to back turnovers by the Panthers to make the score 18-15. Hughes scored on a contested layup to give the Panthers a 20-15 lead but Wilson Academy immediately responded to make the score 20-17. Wilson Academy would score again after a foul by the Panthers to cut the lead to 20-19. After a missed free throw, Wilson Academy got the rebound and made the shot to give them their first lead of the game 21-20. Eli Underwood gave the Panthers a 22-21 lead with a made layup. After a Wilson Academy turnover, the Panthers turned the ball over right back to them and they scored to take a 23-22 lead. The Panthers trailed 23-22 at halftime.

Third Quarter

After multiple turnovers by both teams, Wilson Academy got on the board first in the second half after making 1/2 free throws to take a 24-22 lead. It took 3 minutes for either team to score. Wilson Academy would score 6 straight points after a couple missed shots and a turnover at mid court by the Panthers to take a 30-22 lead. Wilson Academy would make both free throws to extend their lead to 32-22. Hughes would end the run with another corner 3 to make the score 32-25. Caleb John scored on a very contested floater to cut the deficit to 32-27. Wilson Academy made a 3 pointer following another Panther turnover to take a 35-27 lead. The Panthers trailed 35-27 at the end of the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Wilson Academy made a layup after another Panther turnover to begin the quarter to lead 37-27. Wilson Academy extended their lead to 38-27 after making 1/2 free throws. Ellis made a layup after an impressive euro step to make the score 38-29. Wilson Academy responded again and extended their lead to 40-29. Ellis responded with a mid range jumper to make the score 40-31. Henry made 1/2 free throws to make the score 40-32. Wilson Academy made 1/2 free throws to make the score 41-32. Hughes made both free throws after being fouled to make the score 41-34. Henry stole the ball at mid court and scored to cut the deficit to 41-36. After another steal by the Panthers, Henry was fouled and made both free throws to make the score 41-38. Wilson Academy ended the Panther run and made a very contested jumper to make the score 43-38. Wilson Academy scored again to extend their leas to 45-38. Ellis was fouled and made both free throws to cut the deficit to 45-40. Following a Wilson Academy turnover, Hughes scored to cut the deficit to 45-42. Hughes fouled out after attempting to steal the ball on the next possession. The Panthers were forced to foul again to force free throws. Wilson Academy missed their free throws and the Panthers got the rebound but turned the ball over to end the game. The Panthers fall to Wilson Academy 45-42. The Panthers will travel to North Hall on Tuesday November 30.