Panthers off to 9-1 start for second straight year
By TODD FORREST Sentinel Writer

Austin Collins scored 23 and Michael Ross had 20 to lead the Panthers to their seventh consecutive win this season. Union held a 17-12 lead after one quarter but Pickens opened the second quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 21-19 lead over the Panthers until Ross hit a three-pointer to put the Panthers back up on top 22-21 and Union would never trailed again. The Panthers led 28-24 at halftime and began to pull away in the third and took a 48- 36 lead after three quarters.

Midway through the third quarter, Pickens began to creep back into the game after Ross picked up his third foul. That's when Austin Collins stepped up and helped turn a two-point lead into a 12 point lead. Collins scored 12 points during the third quarter.

Pickens never got close again as Union kept a comfortable, twelve to fourteen point lead throughout most of the quarter before pulling away in the final minutes. Six different Panthers scored in the fourth quarter. Ross led the way with six fourth quarter points, Gowder and Owenby had four, Burks and McConnell scored three, and Beise added a freethrow to round out the fourth quarter scoring.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UC: 17 - 11 - 20 - 19 - 67
PC: 12 - 12 - 12 - 14 - 50

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

Collins 4-4-3-26, Ross 6-2- 2-20, Burks 2-1-1-8, Gowder 2- 0-2-8, Owenby 2-0-0-4, McConnell 1-0-1-3, Beise 0-0- 1-1 Panthers cruise to a 74-27 win at Tallulah Falls

The Union County Panthers remained undefeated all-time against Tallulah Falls in a 74-27 victory over the Indians on Saturday afternoon. Michael Ross scored a game high 17 points. Owenby, Burks, and Gowder all added 10 points each.

Friday the Panthers travel to Hiwassee looking to extend their winning streak over the Indians to twenty games. Eleven Panthers scored in the 81-21 victory for the Panthers, earlier this season. Collins had a game high 19. Ross scored 12. Owenby and Adams each had 10. After this Friday's game, both Union teams will participate in the Battle of the States Christmas Tournament in Hiawassee starting on December 27th.