UC picks up first sub-region win, improve to 5-1 overall
By TODD FORREST Sentinel Writer

After a 14-14 tie after one quarter of play Union County

5-1) pulled away from the Banks County Leopards (2-3) for a 66-42 victory, using a balanced scoring attack with the entire starting five scoring in double-digits. The Panthers were however, a little shorthanded. Starting guard Matthew McCombs injured his ankle against Lakeview and will be out until at least January. Also, back-up junior point guard Brad Beise had a collision with a Banks player and didn't not return to the game for the Panthers. "Beise got stitches above the eye," said Coach Hunter. "He won't practice today but should play this weekend." Stepping up in their place was sophomore forward, Blake Gowder who led Union with a career high 16 points and 7 rebounds. Michael Ross scored 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, and a dunk. Cody Adams scored a season high 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, ad to go along with his outstanding defense, Ryan Burks also scored 12 points, grabbed 6 boards, and Austin Collins finished with 11 points to round out the top five. The win gives Union 19 wins in their last 26 meetings with Banks, including seven in a row. During the seven game winning streak over Banks, Union's average margin of victory has been over 25 points/game.

After Adams hit a trey on Union's first possession, Banks would never lead and would only tie the score once. The tie would come late in the first quarter at 14-14. The teams would remained tied until Union began to pull away in the second quarter. The Panthers would take a 33-23 lead into halftime led by Adams' 10 first half points. Ross had 8 points and Burks finished with 5 first half points.

Union broke the game open early in the third mostly due to Collins and Burks finding their stroke and Gowder imposing his will in the paint. As a result, the Panthers went on a 12-2 run and took their largest lead of the game at 45-25 with 3:19 left in the third quarter. Union lead 53- 31 after three and would cruise to a 66-42 victory.

Gowder would score 12 of his 16 points in the second half. Collins and Burks also lead the Panthers in the second half with seven points each. "We know that Ross and Collins will shoulder most of the load, but you have to look for other people tp step up," said Coach Hunter. "Our guys are really starting to feel it, their confidence is increasing, they're playing to their strengths, and not playing scared."

Union defeated Lumpkin 60-47 back on November 19th in Union's first regular season game. The Panthers have won two of the past three meetings with Lumpkin and won 16 of the last 20 meetings, dating back to 1998.