Boys begin 7-1 for second straight year
Despite missing two starters Panthers make quick work of Tallulah
By TODD FORREST Sentinel Writer

Michael Ross hit six three pointers on his way to a 20 point game and sophomore Kolt Owenby scored a career high ten points off the bench in a 66-36 victory over Tallulah Falls. Union held a 40-14 halftime lead and Tallulah never threatened in the second half. Cody Adams scored nine, Seth Merritt also scored nine, which was a career high. Blake Gowder had seven and Josh Colwell had five.

The Panthers were without starters Matt McCombs and Austin Collins after they were injured in the controversial loss at Lakeview, three days earlier. However, Gowder and Colwell stepped up nicely in the starting lineup. "Gowder has nothing but step up," said Coach Hunter. "He is a phenomenal athlete but I am surprised that he has improved this quickly. He's one of our front-line players, after beginning the season as a role player."

Six different Panthers scored during the first quarter and Union held a 15-7 lead after one quarter of action. Six different players also scored during the second quarter, led by Ross' eight points, Adams, and Gowder's five. Union outscored Tallulah 25-7 during the second quarter.The Panthers led 40-14 at halftime. During the third, Ross hit three, three-pointers for a nine point quarter and Adams hit a trey on his way to a four point quarter and the Panther lead was 57-25 after three.

Merritt, Gooch, Tanner, and Owenby provided all the scoring during the fourth quarter as Union scored nine points in the final frame.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UC: 15 - 25 - 17 - 09 - 66
DC: 07 - 07 - 11 - 11 - 36
INDIVIDUAL SCORING (2ptrs-3ptrs-FT's-
Total Pts)
Ross 1-6-0-20, Owenby 2-2-0-10, Adams 0-2-
3-9, Merritt 3-1-0-9, Gowder 3-0-1-7, Colwell 2-
0-1-5, Burks 1-0-0-2, Gooch 1-0-0-2, Tanner 0-0-2-
2
Panthers win 19th straight contest over Towns 81-21

Union's boys continued their domination over Towns with an 81-21 victory over the visiting Indians, led by Austin Collins' 19 points. Michael Ross had 12, Cody Adams, and Kolt Owenby each had 10. The last time Towns County defeated the Union County boys was in January 2000.

Union jumped out to an early 23-8 lead, led by Collins 11 first quarter points. The flood gates opened in the second when seven different Panthers scored and Union took a 52-17 lead into halftime. The Panthers would outscore Towns County 14-2 during the third quarter and 15-2 in the fourth.

"Anytime you beat Towns is great. Our young kids kept extending the lead after the starters were on the bench and we had quit pressing. Sometimes we play to the level of our competition, but this game we played to our level and ended the game in

the first half," said Coach Hunter.

The Panthers will be looking for 20 straight over the Indians when we travel to Hiawassee, next Tuesday to take on the Indians. The girls game will tip-off at 6:00 PM with the boys to follow.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UC: 23 - 29 - 14 - 15 - 81
TC: 08 - 09 - 02 - 02 - 21
INDIVIDUAL SCORING:
(2ptrs-3ptrs-FT's-Total Pts)
Collins 7-1-2-19, Ross 3-2-0-12,
Adams 4-0-2-10, Owenby 2-2-0-10,
McConnell 3-0-0-6, Gowder 2-0-1-5,
Meritt 1-1-0-5, Colwell 1-1-0-5, Beise
2-0-0-4, Gooch 1-0-1-3,
Burks 1-0-0-2

Boys win fourth straight over Lumpkin 54-50

After taking an 35-21 lead midway through the third, Lumpkin outscored Union 29-19 over the final 12 minutes. However, Burks and Gowder scored the final four Panther points in :18 to clinch a Union County victory. Michael Ross scored a team high 19 points, including seven in the fourth that helped maintain Union's lead. Blake Gowder had 11, Cody Adams scored 6, Austin Collins 5, and Clay McConnell had 4. Ryan Burks, Josh Colwell, and Kolt Owenby each added three points.

Union led 11-7 after one, with Ross and Adams combining for all 11 UC points. The Panthers began to pull away in the second and took a 25-17 lead into halftime. Ross led all scorers with 12 at halftime. However, the Panthers slacked off after halftime and allowed Lumpkin to get back into the game. "If you have a lead at halftime you can either slam the door on your opponent or let them back in the game and we let them back in it," said Coach Hunter.

Blake Gowder provided seven points for Union during the third and the Panthers still maintained a 42-35 lead after three. However, Collins fouled out with 7:37 to play in the fourth and Lumpkin got within one at 44-43 with 3:42 remaining. Ross answered with a trey and put Union back on top by four with 3:30 left in the fourth. Lumpkin got back within two at 3:19 but Ross answered with another basket to give Union a 49-45 lead with 3:05 showing on the clock.

With Union leading 49-47 with 1:52 remaining, Burks stepped to the charity stripe and hit two free throws to stretch the UC lead to 51-47 with 1:18 left. Another Burks free throw would but Union ahead 52-48 with :18.2 showing on the clock, then a Gowder layup iced the game with :02 to play and give Union a 54-50 lead.

SCORING SUMMARY:

UC: 11 - 14 - 17 - 12 - 54

LC: 07 - 10 - 18 - 15 - 50

INDIVIDUAL SCORING: (2ptrs-3ptrs-FT's-Total Pts)

Ross 5-3-0-19, Gowder 5- 0-1-11, Adams 3-0-0-6, Collins 1-1-0-5, McConnell 0-0-4-4, Burks 0-0-3, Colwell 0-1-0-3, Owenby 0-0-3-3