| UC girls take 5th; SF squads falter | | | Union City’s girls and both of South Fulton’s teams experienced opposite fortunes in the weekend tilt at the Martin Lions Club Tournament.
The Lady Twisters claimed the top spot in the loser’s bracket with a pair of victories, while the Devilettes finished in the cellar of the winner’s bracket after two loses over the course of the weekend.
South Fulton’s boys went winless in the event, which was held at Westview High School, and finished in eighth and last place.
UC’s girls gained fifth spot after a 67-55 triumph over double-A opponent Crockett County Saturday. The Lady Tornadoes had previously drubbed Fulton City 51-18 Friday evening.
The Devilettes fell into the consolation game after a 58-54 loss to Sycamore Friday. SF then dropped a 63-55 decision to Adamsville in the battle for third place.
SF’s boys lost by a point for the second time in as many nights Friday in a 55-54 edging at the hands of Fulton County. The Red Devils were then dropped 81-63 in the seventh-place game Saturday by Adamsville.
On tap for this week, Union City’s girls rejoin their male counterparts for a District 14A twinbill Friday at Lake County.
Meanwhile, both South Fulton squads return to action Friday, hosting Gleason in league play.
The following is a roundup of the weekend action in Martin involving local teams as reported to The Messenger.
SATURDAY
UC 67, Crockett Co. 55 (G)
The Lady Twisters (5-10) jumped on the Lady Cavs with a 10-0 run to open the game and never looked back in the top game of the loser’s bracket.
Mary Steward and Marcetta Ross shared the top point total honors for the victors with 13 points each with Shenisha Huff adding a dozen. Both Allison McCullough and Micah Warford also reached double digits with 11 apiece for UC.
“We played with a purpose today,” Lady Twisters’ coach Jeff Chandler boasted. “We got up on them at the start and never wavered. Overall, I thought we put forth a good effort in the tournament, excluding our sluggish loss Thursday.”
With the win, UC finished the holiday tournament season at a mark of 4-2.
In other team news, injured Lady Twisters’ point guard Brittney Mitchell (ankle sprain) was off her crutches Saturday and she is expected to be available for action in 10-12 days, according to her head coach.
Adamsville 63, SF 55 (G)
The Lady Cardinals had the hot hands in the third-place game victory over South Fulton.
Adamsville knocked down 10 3-pointers in the triumph over the locals.
“I’d venture to say that Adamsville had one of its best shooting efforts,” Devilettes’ head coach Curt Lee said. “Honestly, I can’t be displeased with our offensive output, but we allowed 63 points and, defensively, I can’t be too happy about that.”
Cherissa Vinson was the top gun for SF with 18 points, eight of which came in the final quarter. Vinson also dished out six assists.
Chelsea Cox contributed 16 points and seven rebounds for the Devilettes (6-8) with Maeghan Eaves swishing four trifectas for a total of 12 markers.
Brooke Kane accumulated six points and a like number of caroms in the defeat.
It was the second win in three days against an Obion County team for the Lady Cardinals. Adamsville defeated Union City 51-35 Thursday afternoon in Martin.
Adamsville 81, SF 63 (B)
Hunter Harris posted a season-best 25 points, but it was not enough to propel the Devils into the winner’s circle Saturday.
South Fulton led 15-7 after one, but the Cardinals rushed back with a 28-14 advantage in the second to lead 35-29 at intermission.
“We played hard for all of this tournament,” SF boys’ coach Keith Frazier said. “At the end, I think we just ran out of gas and Adamsville’s pressure got to us.
“Their pressure forced a lot of turnovers, which they converted into easy points.”
SF was marred by a total of 26 turnovers in the loss.
David Shepherd was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line with 20 total points during the defeat for South Fulton (1-13).
Drew Greer handed out five assists from the point guard position in the loss.
FRIDAY
UC 51, Fulton City 18 (G)
All of the players who entered the game for the Lady Twisters with the exception of one swished the net in Friday’s shellacking of the Lady Bulldogs.
Warford led the way with nine with Whitney Smith a point off the top mark in the scorebook with eight. McCullough drained a pair of 3s for a total of six points during the triumph.
Union City led 10-8 after one, 28-10 at the break and 45-15 with a quarter to go in the win.
Sycamore 48, SF 44 (G)
Dismal shooting at the charity stripe proved to be the deciding factor in the Devilettes’ four-point defeat Friday night.
SF finished just a hair over 50 percent (14-of-26) from the free throw line in the loss.
Cox was a rebound short of a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds with Vinson draining a pair of 3-pointers in an 11-point outing.
Eaves also swished a pair of treys with eight total points.
Fulton Co. 55, SF 54 (B)
The Devils were dropped by one point for the second consecutive evening Friday.
Free throw inefficiency contributed to the South Fulton boys’ loss, too, with the locals shooting 15-of-24 on freebie attempts.
Jacob Wade was SF’s top contributor with 15 points and seven rebounds in the slim loss to the Pilots.
Shepherd accumulated 10 points and nine rebounds during the downfall. | | | | |
