Lady Panthers advance to state in for first time in seven years

The Lady Panthers routed the host White County (Class AAA) in the Championship Game, 55-30. Williams and Gowder scored 19 points each as Union lead by as many as 33 points early in the fourth quarter. Williams was named Tournament MVP. Leslie Bittenbinder and Gowder were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Lady Panthers overcame a seven-point deficit with 3:55 to play at Lakeview to escape with a 38-36 victory over the Lady Lions. Union County was without Williams, their leading scorer, but Gowder picked up the slack and led Union with 18 points. Sarah Fulghum and Bittenbinder combined for 15 points. In the win over Tallulah Falls in the home opener, Union began the game on a 24-4 run as Williams scored 14 of her game-high 22 in the first quarter. Union outscored Tallulah 13-0 in the second for a 37-4 halftime lead. Union coasted to a 46-15 win. Senior Mary Catherine Edmondson would score a career-high, 8 points in the victory.

Union's first loss of the season would come to rival Towns County. Union led 19-15 at halftime and 31-28 after three but Towns finished strong went on to win 53-48. Only three

Lady Panthers would score on that night. Williams led everyone with 29 points, Fulghum had 10, and Gowder added 9. Union would rebound with their first Sub-Region victory of the season at Banks County by the score of 60-35. Union jumped out to a 22-8 lead midway through the second quarter and Banks would never threaten. Williams led the way with a game-high 24 points and Sarah Fulghum added 12.

Union would fall in overtime to Lumpkin County, 60- 58 despite missing second leading scorer, Kayla Gowder. Williams would lead Union with 20 points, including a game-tying three pointer that would send the game into overtime. Bittenbinder would 15 points and Fulghum would chip-in 10.

The Lady Panthers would respond with a six-game winning streak with their second win over White County, 62-43. Then they would blow out Class AAAPickens County, 75- 39 when four players would score in double-figures. Bittenbinder would score a career-high 18, Williams 16, Sullivan scored a career-high 13, and Gowder would finish with 12. Fulghum would also add 9 points.

In the rematch with the undefeated and Class A 3rd Ranked Towns County Lady Indians, Union would take a 66-62 victory in Hiawassee. In the opening round of the Battle of the States Christmas Tournament, Union would have little trouble with Prince Avenue, winning by the score of 69-34. In round two, Union would face the Class A 6th ranked Gordon Lee. After a close first half, Union would pull away to a 64-47 win.

In the Championship Game vs Region rival Fannin County, Union led 43-39 after three but couldn't hang on as Fannin rallied to force overtime. In the first OT, Fulgham scored the game-tying basket to with 1:57 remaining to send the game into a second OT. Fannin outscored Union 5-1 to take a 57-53 win in the title game of the Battle of the States. "When we lost the double overtime game to Fannin in the Battle of the States, the kids finally realized that they could beat them, and once they realized that I knew we were going to be hard to beat," said Coach West. Williams led Union with 20 points, Bittenbinder had 13, Fulghum scored 11, and Gowder added 7. Williams and Fulghum were named to the All-Tournament Team for Union.

After falling 58-55 at Pickens, Union would run-off six straight wins. Including a 62-55 win in the rematch at Fannin County. The win over Fannin was Union's girls first over the Lady Rebels since 2001, bringing to an end an 11 game losing streak to Fannin. Then Williams would score a career-high 32 points in a 74-46 blowout of Dawson County. The Lady Panthers wouldn't see much competition in wins at East Jackson, Banks, and White Countys at home.

In game number three vs Fannin County, Union would pull away for a 50-31 victory after Gowder scored the first seven points for Union County. Union would find themselves in sole possession of first place until a 35-38 slip-up at Dawson County. However, the following night, Union would answer by winning 56-50 at Rabun to take back first place. The Panthers would hold off East Jackson 46-35 to set up a showdown with Rabun for the Sub- Region Championship. The Lady Panthers would refuse to lose at home on Senior Night and would show who the dominant team in 8AA North was with a 60-45 win over Rabun.

The Lady Panthers would fall 55-48 to Greene County in the opening round of the Region Tournament in Putnam County. Then drop their second game out of four against Fannin, 53-49, despite leading by as many as 20 in the first half. That would set up Union's meeting with GAC in the opening round of state which was won by GAC 68-42.

"My proudest moments are the times when my players tell me they love me and I was able to watch them celebrate after winning some big games, so my moments are their moments." said Coach West. "Edmondson and Odom were not there for the entire four years, and Leslie didn't make it all the way through it , but it was truly an honor to work with them as well as Kaley and Kayla for four years. Those two were with me in the beginning, and stuck with me even when basketball was not fun, and to see them have a year like this, and a senior night like they had just gives you a sense of pride and joy that you cannot describe."

Williams and Fulghum will return next season from this year's starting lineup. Union also return several underclassmen that should step up into a bigger role. Coach West is also looking forward to this year's talented crop of 8th graders that will be freshmen next year. They went undefeated through 7th and 8th grade and could have some players that step-up and make an impact immediately on varsity.