Union County Lady Panthers finish with 20 wins
By TODD FORREST Sentinel writer

For the first time since the 2000-01 season, the Union County Lady Panthers finished with 20 wins (20-8), won the Sub-Region, and advanced to the State Playoffs. The trip to the state playoffs was the Lady Panthers' third trip to state since 1994 and eighth overall in school history. "We did win more games than I thought we would," said Coach West, "but I really believed that we had a chance to win the region. That doesn't mean I was disappointed, but I felt that if we were injury free that we would have a chance to win it, and we were relatively injury free this year."

Union County played it's state playoff game last Saturday against the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans, the Region Champion from 6AA and defending state champs. The Panthers fell 68-42 to the Spartans and were led by Senior forward, Kayla Gowder's 19 points.

The Lady Panthers began the season 4-0 for the first time since the mid-90's when they took two games in the White County - United Community Banks Tip-Off Tournament, knocked off Lakeview (State Playoff Team from Class A) despite playing without leading scorer, Candace Williams, then blew out Tallulah Falls in the home opener.

In the Tip-Off Tournament, Union County overcame a 22- 17 halftime deficit to knockoff Lumpkin County (Class AAA) by the score of 46-39. Williams led all scorers with 22 points (10 in the 3rd Qtr) and Kayla Gowder added 14.