Panthers earn big win against Wildcats in Tiger
TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers January 25, 2020
After leading by just one point at the end of the first quarter, the Union Co. Panthers blew open the game in the second quarter, outscoring Rabun Co. 22-7 in the period on the way to a 74-47 Region 8-AA victory Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
Union Co. senior Kyle Morlock goes up for a shot against Rabun Co. senior Sam Adams on Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
Seniors Sawyer Drake and Pierson Allison each had a game-high 17 points with neither playing in the fourth quarter for Union Co. (12-9, 7-4).
From left, Rabun Co. senior Phillip Roberson, Union Co. senior Sawyer Drake, and Rabun Co. senior Sam Adams battle for position Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
Rabun Co. (7-14, 5-6) was led by sophomore Connor McKay’s 16 points. He was the only player in double figures for the Wildcats.
The game was close early as the home crowd helped fuel Rabun Co.’s energy to keep pace with the high-scoring Panthers. The Wildcats trailed by just one point, 18-17, at the end of the period.
That was as close as Rabun Co. would get as the Panthers exploded for 22 points in the second quarter while holding the Wildcats to just seven.
Allison led the way in the second for Union Co. with eight points, while Drake scored seven, and junior Kaston Hemphill added five. Hemphill finished with seven points on the night.
Coming out of halftime, the Panthers held a commanding 40-24 lead before senior Kyle Morlock look over in the paint.
Morlock scored eight of his 13 points in the third and the Panthers began to truly pull away and take a 57-36 lead into the fourth.
Rabun Co. sophomore Connor McKay goes up against Union Co. junior Kaston Hemphill on Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
The big lead allowed Union Co. head coach Corey Garrett to rest several of his starters and give his bench players a lot of floor experience.
Rabun Co. senior Sam Adams goes up for a shot as Union Co. senior Sawyer Brey tries for the block Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
Sophomore Landon Kight (5), senior Sawyer Brey (4), senior Bryson Lariscy (3), sophomore Austin Taylor (3), sophomore Logan Helcher (2), sophomore Daniel Snow (2), and sophomore Landon Cox (1) rounded out the scoring for Union Co.
The Panthers won’t have much time to celebrate the win, however. They are set to take on Putnam Co. (6-15, 5-6) at 4:30 p.m. today, Jan. 25, in an important region game.
For the Wildcats, sophomore Clayton Dixon scored eight, while senior Phillip Roberson, junior Nick Bradley, and sophomore Grayson Carver each scored five. Sophomore Gus Hood and freshman Jayton Henry both scored three for Rabun Co.
The Wildcats will need to move on from the loss quickly as they visit Monticello (5-17, 3-8) at 5:30 p.m. today, Jan. 25.
The Region 8-AA standing are Social Circle (10-1), Banks Co. (8-2), Union Co. (7-4), Rabun Co. (5-6), Putnam Co. (5-6), Elbert Co. (4-6), Monticello (3-8), and Oglethorpe Co. (1-10).
Lady Wildcats use suffocating defense to defeat Lady Panthers
Lady Panthers, Team FYN Sports January 25, 2020
Using a stifling pressure defense and a hot hand off the bench, the third-ranked Rabun Co. Lady Wildcats took down seventh-ranked Union Co. on Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger to earn a fourth-straight Region 8-AA win.
From left, Rabun Co. senior Destiny Deetz, Union Co. sophomore Ava Hunter, and Rabun Co. sophomore Loren Stiles battle for a rebound Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
The Lady Wildcats (20-1, 10-1) started the game on a 6-0 run and never trailed the visiting Lady Panthers (17-5, 8-3) in the 72-39 victory.
After missing last season with an ACL injury, sophomore Carley Haban returned in November and has her best game of the season off the bench against Union Co., scoring a game-high 22 points.
But it was the Lady Wildcats defense that stole the show, forcing turnovers early and often.
“Honestly, that’s the best game we’ve played all year, and it was against a really good Union Co. team,” Rabun Co. coach DeeDee Dillard said. “Our defense really provided a lot of opportunities for us tonight.”
The Lady Wildcats normally play a full-court, pressure defense intent on trapping opponents and forcing turnovers, and Dillard said how the defense plays really determines how the offense plays.
“When we play aggressive on defense, we seem to play really aggressive on offense, and that was the case tonight,” Dillard said.”
Rabun Co. sophomore Carley Habanero’s drives into the lane against Union Co. sophomore Ava Hunter, left, and senior Kait McCarter on Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger. Habanero’s finished with a game-high 22 points off the bench.
As for the Lady Panthers, coach Crystal Beach said the team fell into a pattern of trying to dribble too much to beat the Rabun Co. press.
“We just have to focus on passing more effectively,” Beach said. “We actually managed to break the press several times by passing the ball well, which is how we scored most of our points. But (Rabun Co.) did a really great job putting pressure on us all night and we let that pressure affect us.”
Sophomore Ava Hunter led Union Co. with 14 points, while senior Andelin Hill scored 10 in the loss.
The Lady Panthers won’t have much time to get over the big loss, as they welcome fourth-ranked Putnam Co. (19-2, 10-1) to Blairsville at 3 p.m. today, Jan. 25. In the first meeting between the two teams this season Jan. 18, the Lady War Eagles came away with a 61-45 victory in Eatonton.
Beach said she isn’t worried about the quick turn around after the loss.
From left, Rabun Co. junior Beth Payne, Union Co. senior Andelin Hill, and Rabun Co. senior Hanna Cannon look for a rebound Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger.
“I’m very lucky in that I have a great group of seniors who are phenomenal young women and leaders, and I have no doubt that they will have the younger players set to come out ready to go,” Beach said.
For Rabun Co., sophomore Gracie Deetz scored 11, and senior Laken Stiles added 10 in the win.
Much like Union Co., the Lady Wildcats won’t have much time to dwell on Friday’s game. They are set to take the drive south and take on region-foe Monticello (3-17, 2-9) at 4 p.m. today, Jan. 25.
In the first meeting between the two this season, Rabun Co. earned a 72-23 victory in Tiger.
The Region 8-AA standings are currently Putnam Co. (10-1), Rabun Co. (10-1), Union Co. (8-3), Elbert Co. (6-5), Banks Co. (5-6), Social Circle (2-8), Monticello (2-9), and Oglethorpe Co. (0-10).
Putnam Co. and Rabun Co. are set to meet in the final game of the regular season Friday, Jan. 31, in Tiger.
Kait McCarter is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Lady Panthers, Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports January 19, 2020
Kait McCarter is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Union Co. Lady Panthers!
McCarter, a senior post who doesn’t mind stepping out to the wing, has been instrumental in Union Co.’s (16-4, 7-2 Region 8-AA) pursuit of getting back to the state playoffs.
While it doesn’t also show in the stat book, McCarter is dominating defender and rebounder and is a two-year starter for first-year head coach Crystal Beach.
McCarter has been on varsity all four years of high school and has been a contributor for the Lady Panthers since arriving on campus.
For her efforts, McCarter is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Sawyer Drake is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers January 19, 2020
Sawyer Drake is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Union Co. Panthers!
Drake, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, had a week of strong performances as Union Co. (11-8, 6-3 Region 8-AA) swept three region games to move into third place in the region standings.
Drake scored 11 points Tuesday, Jan. 14, as the Panthers defeated Elbert Co. (7-13, 4-5) 64-52 on the road. He followed that with a game-high 19 points, including an emphatic second-half dunk, in a 67-49 victory against Monticello (5-14, 3-6) on Friday, Jan. 17, in Blairsville.
The senior was also instrumental in the Panthers’ 46-38 victory at Putnam Co. on Saturday, Jan. 18.
For his efforts, Drake is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Union Co. Panthers!
Panthers sweep the week, move into third in Region 8-AA
Lady Panthers, TeamFYNSports January 19, 2020
The Union Co. boys basketball team went 3-0 in region games last week to move into third place in Region 8-AA with a chance to move even higher during the coming week.
Senior Sawyer Drake bodies up a Monticello defender Friday, Jan. 17. Morlock scored 10 points in the Panthers’ win.
The Panthers (11-8, 6-3) started the week with a very important win on the road at Elbert Co. (7-13, 4-5) by a 64-52 margin. The Blue Devils currently sit in fourth place in the region.
Senior Sawyer Brey looks for options against Monticello on Friday, Jan. 17. Brey finished with seven points in the win.
Senior Pierson Allison led all scorers with 17 for the Panthers, followed by fellow senior Sawyer Brey with 12, and Sawyer Drake, also a senior, with 11.
Cayden Rich, another senior, scored nine, while junior Kaston Hemphill put up six.
Senior Kyle Morlock chipped in four points, sophomore Landon Kight scored three, and sophomore Landon Cox rounded out the scoring with two.
The Panthers continued their winnings ways Friday, Jan. 17, at home against Monticello (5-14, 3-6). Union Co. fell behind early in the first quarter, 8-2, but put together separate runs of 9-0 and 15-0 to take a 29-17 lead into halftime. The Panthers continued to push in the third quarter to go up by more than 20 before closing the game for a 19-point victory, 67-48.
Drake finished as the game’s high scorer with 19 points, followed by Allison with 12, and Morlock with 10. Brey scored seven, sophomore Lake Hughes added five, Hemphill and Cox each scored four, Kight scored three, Rich put up two, and Lariscy added one in the victory.
Sophomore Landon Cox works on defense against Monticello on Friday. Cox scored four points in Union Co.’s victory.
The Panthers closed the week by putting away Putnam Co. (4-15, 3-6) by eight points, 46-38, on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Eatonton.
Heading into this coming week, Union Co. has a chance to make a big move in the region with three important conference games.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Panthers have a chance to avenge a 45-40 loss to region-leading Social Circle (15-5, 8-1) that occurred on the road Dec. 17. That games is in Blairsville.
Union Co. then travels to Tiger on Friday, Jan. 24, to take on Rabun Co. (6-13, 4-5), which the Panthers defeated Jan. 3, 63-48, in Blairsville.
The team ends the week with a rematch at home against Putnam Co. on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Union Co. Lady Panthers go 2-1 in region games
Lady Panthers, TeamFYNSports January 19, 2020
With two Region 8-AA wins last week, the Union Co. girls basketball team kept pace in the region standings and set up two big showdowns in the coming week that should all but determine the seedings heading into the region tournament.
Sophomore Riley Allison puts the offense in motion against Moticello on Friday, Jan. 17, in Blairsville. Allison finished with five points in the win.
The Lady Panthers (16-4, 7-2) went on the road to take down Elbert Co. (13-7, 5-4) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, by a narrow, four-point margin, 49-45.
Union Co. opened that game on a 25-12 run to get to halftime, and maintained that 13-point lead through the end of the third. The Lady Blue Devils proved why they have moved into fourth in the region standings this season after finishing near the bottom last season by putting on a late run to close the gap before finally falling by four.
Sophomore Ava Hunter led the Lady Panthers with 22 points in the win.
Union Co. followed the victory with their most well-rounded game of the season in a 62-38 rout of Monticello (3-15, 2-7) on Friday, Jan. 17, in Blairsville, that wasn’t as close as the final score.
Senior Brooke Dockrey looks for options against Monticello on Friday, Jan. 17, in Blairsville. Dockrey scored six points in the win.
The Lady Panthers opened that game on a 25-0 run, allowing first-year head coach Crystal Beach to go to her bench early and often.
Nine players scored in the game for Union Co., with only Hunter in double-figures with 10.
Freshman Ellie Cook scored nine, junior Kyla Locklear scored eight, senior Andelin Hill scored seven, and fellow senior Brooke Dockrey scored six.
Freshman Corinne Hill put up five, along with sophomore Riley Allison, who also had five.
Senior Kait McCarter and sophomore Rebekah Chambers each added four.
The starters – Hunter, Andelin Hill, Dockrey, McCarter, and Cook – played sparingly after the 25-0 start, allowing Beach to get her younger players a lot of time of the floor.
Union Co. stumbled to end the week, losing 61-45 to Putnam Co. (17-2, 8-1) on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Eatonton.
Sophomore Caley Davis takes a shot against Moticello on Friday, Jan. 17, in Blairsvlle.
The Lady War Eagles currently sit atop the region standings, along with Rabun Co. (18-1, 8-1).
Rabun Co.’s only loss of the season came to Putnam Co. 58-54 on Jan. 10.
Putnam Co’s only region loss came to Banks Co. (8-12, 4-5) on Dec. 13 by a 37-30 margin.
Union Co. currently sits in third place in the region. The Lady Panthers’ two region losses have come to Rabun Co. (50-46 on Jan. 3 in Blairsville) and Saturday’s loss to Putnam Co.
The Lady Panthers will have plenty of opportunity to make a move into first place in the region this week.
Union Co. starts the week at home against Social Circle (5-13, 2-7) on Tuesday, Jan. 21, in Blairsville. The Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Redskins 56-24 on Dec. 17 on the road.
Union Co. then takes on Rabun Co. on Friday, Jan. 24, in Tiger, before hosting Putnam Co. on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Blairsville.
Brooke Dockrey is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Lady Panthers, Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports January 13, 2020
Brooke Dockrey is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Dockrey, a senior guard, was instrumental in three big victories for Union Co. (14-3, 5-1 Region 8-AA) last week as the team kept pace atop the region standings.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Dockrey scored just three points but her defense, rebounding, and ball handling were essential as Union Co. defeated region foe Banks Co. (8-10, 4-3) by a score of 45-40 in Homer.
Dockrey scored four points Friday, Jan. 10, as the Lady Panthers won in blowout fashion, 43-13, against Olgethrope Co. (2-12, 0-7) in Blairsville.
Dockrey finished the week with six points for Union Co. against area rival Fannin Co. (13-5, 4-3 Region 7-AAA) as the Lady Panthers earned a 62-47 victory.
For her efforts, Dockrey is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Panthers lose on late comeback by Rebels
TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers December 9, 2019
The Panthers led by nine entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t keep a scrappy Fannin Co. boys basketball team from putting up 19 points in the frame and lost, 53-51, Saturday, Dec. 7, in Blue Ridge.
Sophomore Lake Hughes goes up for two of his nine points in the loss to Fannin Co. on Saturday in Blue Ridge.
Union Co. (2-4) went cold on offense in the fourth, managing just eight points in the loss.
Panther head coach Corey Garrett gave all of the credit to Fannin Co. for earning the big comeback win.
“They made some huge shots down the stretch, and we just couldn’t answer them,” Garrett said.
Despite the loss to the rival Rebels, Garrett said there is plenty to be excited about moving forward.
“We’ve only had five practices with our full team and two of those were over Thanksgiving and were really just about conditioning,” Garrett said.
Senior Pierson Allison lines up a free throw against Fannin Co. on Saturday. Allison scored a team-high 16 points in the loss.
The Union Co. football team reached the second round of the state playoffs this season, meaning the players who play both football and basketball missed the start of the basketball season.
Those players include some of the team’s most productive seniors: Pierson Allison, Kyle Morlock, Cayden Rich, and Sawyer Drake, along with newcomer, junior Kaston Hemphill.
“Our biggest challenge is just getting better at the little things,” Garrett said of his team. “It’s a big of an odd situation. I wasn’t the coach last season, and even though we are running a lot of the same stuff, the styles are different.”
Garrett was the coach of the girls team last season before taking over the Panthers this year.
“We are still trying to gel so that we can play exactly how we want to play,” Garrett said. “But most of those things will work themselves out eventually.”
As for the loss to Fannin Co., Garrett said that Allison had taken the SAT the morning before the game. Also, Drake injured his hand in a car door earlier in the day and missed the game. The timetable for his return is uncertain.
“Not that any of that is an excuse for our loss. Fannin Co. played very well, especially in the second half, and we just did not have an answer for them,” Garrett said.
Allison scored a team-high 16 points in the loss. He currently leads the team with nearly 17 points per game in the four games he has played so far.
Senior Kyle Morelock (No. 15) blocks out Fannin Co.’s Kaeden Twiggs (No. 5) during the game Saturday. Morlock finished with 10 points in the loss.
Morlock is averaging slightly more than 13 points per game through four games. He scored 10 against the Rebels.
Before his injury, Drake was scoring 11 points per game in the three games he played.
Sophomore Lake Hughes scored nine, while senior Bryson Lariscy added six for Union Co.
Rich scored three and sophomore Landon Cox added a made free throw to round out the Panthers scorers.
Up next for Union Co. is the Region 8-AA opener against Elbert Co. on Friday, Dec. 13. That game begins at 7:30 p.m. in Blairsville.
“Elbert lost nine seniors from last season, but they are very athletic and very well coached, so we are going to be in for a challenge,” Garrett said.
After that, the Panthers travel to Monticello at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, for another region matchup.
To read about this week’s Player of the Week for the Panthers, click here.
Andelin Hill is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Lady Panthers, Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports December 22, 2019
Andelin Hill is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Hill, a senior guard, has been instrumental in helping Union Co. jump out to a 9-1 overall record and a 3-0 record in Region 8-2A.
In two wins last week, Hill’s consistent defense, ball handling, and decision-making led the Lady Panthers to an important region win and a win against an area-rival.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Hill and the Lady Panthers made the long ride south to get a convincing, 56-24, win against region-foe Social Circle. Hill scored six points in the game, but only played a few minutes in the third quarter before sitting out the remainder of the game.
The Lady Panthers faced a much tougher test Saturday in Blairsville as old foe Gilmer came calling for a non-conference game.
Hill scored 12 points in the game and was a big part of a pressure defense that allowed Union Co. to build a big second-half lead before hanging on late against the scrappy Lady ‘Cats to earn a 54-52 win.
For her efforts, Hill is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Ava Hunter is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Lady Panthers, Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports December 16, 2019
Ava Hunter is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Hunter, a sophomore post player, continued her strong play in two wins for Union Co. (7-1, 2-0 Region 8-AA) last week.
“Ava is one of the best competitors I’ve ever seen,” Union Co. head coach Crystal Beach said of Hunter.
Hunter, who was the Class AA Freshman of the Year last season, surpassed 500 career points Saturday, Dec. 14, during a 56-39 win at Monticello. She finished with a game-high 21 points to help the Lady Panthers earn their second region win of the season.
On Friday, Dec. 13, in the first Region 8-AA game of the season against Elbert Co. in Blairsville, Hunter scored 16 as Union Co. earned the 58-46 victory.
For her efforts, Hunter is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Bryson Lariscy is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers December 9, 2019
Bryson Lariscy is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Lariscy, the team’s starting senior point guard, is the leader of Union Co.’s boys basketball team both on and off the court, according to head coach Corey Garrett.
“He’s working his tail off this season,” Garrett said. “He basically runs our practices. You have the coaches on the side, obviously, at every practice, but it’s really Bryson who is running the show and actually helping improve his teammates.”
Garrett said that Lariscy’s contributions to the team rarely show up in the stat book.
“From day one, he has led our team with his energy and his body language. He’s one of our best defenders, especially in the open court, and he just helps us in so many ways that you can’t see just looking and stats.”
Larsicy scored six points for the Panthers (2-4) in a narrow, 53-51 loss to Fannin Co. on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Blue Ridge.
For his efforts, Bryson Lariscy is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Panthers!
To be considered for the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week, a player must play in all games the team plays during that week and must not have any unsportsmanlike conduct (ejections, etc.). Stats considered for Player of the Week run from Monday through Saturday, with Player of the Week being selected Sunday each week.
Lady Panthers lose first game of season at Fannin Co.
Lady Panthers, TeamFYNSports December 9, 2019
Sophomore Ava Hunter drives the lane against Fannin Co. on Saturday. Hunter finished with a game-high 17 points.
The Lady Panthers jumped out to a 5-0 overall record this season, but suffered their first loss Saturday, Dec. 7, on the road at Fannin Co., 52-47.
Union Co. (5-1) was in the game late, but too many turnovers forced by a full-court Lady Rebels press in the fourth quarter led to the loss.
Head coach Crystal Beach said the Lady Panthers have to start quicker and continue to press throughout the game.
“We got off to a slow start, even with the early lead,” Beach said. “We can’t have that, and it’s a big part of what we need to develop right now. We can’t wait until the third quarter to start playing with urgency.”
Union Co. took an early lead on Fannin Co. (5-2, 0-2 Region 7-AAA), but the home team managed to bounce back quickly and tie the game at 13 all after the first quarter.
Sophomore Ava Hunter scored seven of her game-high 17 points in the first, including shooting 5-of-8 from the free-throw line in the period. She finished the game 9-of-14 from the line.
So far this season, Hunter is leading the team with 18.8 points per game just a year removed from being named the 2018-19 Class AA Freshman of the Year.
“Ava is one of the best competitors I’ve ever seen,” Beach said. “We’re going to expect her to continue to produce like she has, and I don’t see any reason to expect she won’t.”
Senior Andelin Hill goes up for a shot against Fannin Co. on Saturday. Hill finished with seven points.
Hunter is also averaging double-digit rebounds per game for the Lady Panthers.
The Lady Rebels buried three 3-pointers in the second quarter to take a 27-22 lead over Union Co. heading into halftime.
Freshman Ellie Cook hit a 3-pointer, senior Andelin Hill made a pair of free throws, and Hunter scored twice from the block, but it wasn’t enough to draw even before halftime.
The Lady Panthers came out with purpose in the third quarter to draw within a point at 36-35 at the end of the period.
Senior Brooke Dockrey scored all seven of her points in the third quarter, while senior Kait McCarter went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
McCarter finished 9-of-10 from the charity stripe to account for all nine of her points.
Senior Kait McCarter moves in for a rebound against Fannin Co. on Saturday. McCarter finished the game with nine points.
“Kait leads by her actions and has been all season. Her teammates assume she’s going to make free throws, because that is what she does: whatever we need when we need it most. That’s all you can ask for,” Beach said.
Despite the pushback, all the momentum was going Fannin Co.’s way, inspired by a full-court defense that gave Union Co.’s guard fits all afternoon.
“We just didn’t execute well,” Beach said of the game as a whole. “We didn’t take the shots we should have taken and didn’t make a lot of shots we’re going to need to make moving forward.”
Despite the loss, Beach has no plans to change the team’s philosophy of playing as fast as possible.
“That is absolutely the mindset. We want to force turnovers, push the ball, and score in transition. We have to play our best and just continue to get better,” Beach said. “But most of all, we have to focus on jumping out fast and never letting up.”
Up next for Union Co. is the Region 8-AA opener against Elbert Co., beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, in Blairsville. Elbert Co. is 2-1 overall and is a year removed from reaching the second round of the Class AA state playoffs.
The Lady Panthers and Lady Blue Devils split their two matchups last season, with each team winning on the road.
To read about the Union Co. Lady Panthers Player of the Week, click here.
Pierson Allison is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers December 16, 2019
Pierson Allison is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Allison, a senior guard, exploded on offense last week as Union Co. (3-5, 1-1 Region 8-AA) split the first two region games of the season.
Pierson is a competitor. He is willing to do whatever his team needs him to do to win,” Panthers head coach Corey Garrett said. “He is an elite scorer but is also a playmaker and distributor when he needs to be.”
It’s not just offense that defines Allison, he is also a great leader for Union Co., according to Garrett.
“Pierson is one of the best leaders that I have ever coaches. He is always keeping his teammates engaged and motivated,” Garrett said.
On Friday, Dec. 13, in Blairsville, Allison scored just four points heading into the fourth quarter but put on an offensive show in the final frame, scoring 19 points to will the Panthers to the 63-45 win. Allison finished the game with 23 points.
The next day, Saturday, Dec. 14, Allison put up 29 points but the Panthers couldn’t overcome a strong opposing offense as they lost at Monticello, 56-50.
For his effort, Allison is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Lady Panthers outlast Lady ‘Cats in Blairsville
Lady Panthers, TeamFYNSports December 22, 2019
Despite cutting the Lady Panthers’ lead to just one point twice in the final 90 seconds Saturday night, Dec. 21, the Gilmer girls basketball team couldn’t overcome a rough shooting night from the free-throw line and fell to Union Co. 54-52 in Blairsville.
Freshman Ellie Cook goes up for two of her team-high 14 points Saturday against Gilmer.
While Union Co. (9-1, 3-0 Region 8-2A) had three players score in double figures, it was a pressure defense in the second half that allowed the team to build off a six-point lead at half and take a 39-30 lead into the fourth.
Freshman Ellie Cook led the way for the Lady Panthers with a team-high 14 points, including three made 3-pointers. Senior Andelin Hill scored 12 and sophomore Ava Hunter added 11 for Union Co.
The Lady ‘Cats (8-3, 5-0 Region 6-4A) stormed back in the final frame led by strong guard play and a trapping, full-court defense that forced the home team into multiple turnovers.
Junior Emma Callihan goes up to score two of her 12 points during a two-point loss to Union Co. on Saturday.
Gilmer’s fourth-quarter surge was led by junior Emma Callihan and sophomore Elly Callihan. The pair scored 11 points combined in the period and, along with senior Bailey Teague, anchored a defense that put Gilmer right back in the game mid-way through the period.
Trailing by 10, 42-32, with 6:17 to go, junior Jasmine Staley hit a big 3-pointer from the wing, then follow on the next possession with a driving lay-up to close the gap to five with five minutes left.
Union Co. senior Kait McCarter stopped the run for a moment with a made shot, but a free-throw from Teague and made baskets from both Emma Callihan and Elly Callihan drew the Lady ‘Cats within two, 44-42, with 2:47 to go.
Senior Andelin Hill jumps to score two of her 12 points in Union Co.’s 54-52 win against Gilmer on Saturday.
Hunter and Hill hit back-to-back shots for the Lady Panthers during the next 30 seconds to push the lead back to six at 48-42.
A 5-0 run from Gilmer closed the gap to one, 48-47, with 57 seconds to go, before Hill made a pair of free throws for Union Co.
Emma Callihan scored against with 22 seconds left to close back to one point at 50-49, but senior Brooke Dockery made four-straight free throws to put the lead back to five at 55-49.
A late 3-pointer from Teague cut the lead to two, but time ran out for the Lady ‘Cats as Union Co. collected the two-point win.
Teague finished the night with a game-high 15 points for Gilmer, followed by 12 points each from Emma Callihan and Elly Callihan. Despite the strong effort, the Lady ‘Cats just couldn’t overcome going 6-of-21 as a team from the free-throw line.
Gilmer’s next regular-season game is Saturday, Jan. 4, against Fannin Co. at 4 p.m. in Ellijay.
Dockery scored nine points for Union Co., which begins play in the Towns Co. Battle of the States tournament Thursday, Dec. 26, against Walhalla at 1 p.m. in Hiawassee.
The Lady Panthers’ next regular-season game is against Rabun Co. (11-0, 3-0) on Friday, Jan. 3, in Blairsville.
Union Co. and Rabun Co. sit tied atop the Region 8-2A standings.
Ellie Cook is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Lady Panthers, Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports December 9, 2019
Ellie Cook is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
Cook, a freshman point guard, has been steady in her first varsity season, helping the team set up on offense and providing strong defensive support.
Cook hit a 3-pointer in a loss to Fannin Co. on Saturday, Dec. 7. She scored six points the night before in a 52-24 win against Towns Co. in Blairsville, and put up nine points Tuesday, Dec. 3, in a 67-46 victory against Tallulah Falls at home.
Head coach Crystal Beach said Cook has been important so far this season in crucial moments.
“She didn’t have her best day against Fannin Co., so there are obviously some growing pains there for a freshman, but she has come through for us in some key spots already this season and has really played well,” Beach said.
For her efforts, Cook is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Lady Panthers!
To be considered for the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week, a player must play in all games the team plays during that week and must not have any unsportsmanlike conduct (ejections, etc.). Stats considered for Player of the Week run from Monday through Saturday, with Player of the Week being selected Sunday each week.
