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By C.Y. Peters

The Unaka Rangers basketball teams opened their season with commanding victories over the A.C.T. Warriors on Tuesday night. The Lady Rangers set the tone with a 75-19 win, followed by the boys team overpowering the Warriors 98-49. Both teams displayed explosive offense and tenacious defense, giving fans plenty to be excited about for the season ahead.

Lady Rangers Overwhelm Warriors Behind Shields’ Hot Hand

The Lady Rangers wasted no time establishing dominance, jumping to a 26-5 lead in the first quarter. Senior Michelle Shields led the charge with 24 points, showcasing her sharp shooting and setting the tone for the rest of the game. Shields’ stellar first-half performance helped Unaka attempt 47 field goals before halftime.

“Michelle was in a rhythm early, and it really set the tone for us,” said head coach Kenneth Chambers. “We played hard for a first game, and it was great to get some of our freshmen some valuable playing time.”

The Lady Rangers maintained their pace and defensive intensity throughout, holding the Lady Warriors to single-digit scoring in each of the first three quarters. Shields added to her tally early in the third quarter before resting for the remainder of the game. Emma Taylor and Katlynn Dugger contributed nine points each, while Brooklyn Campbell added eight.

Unaka shot 32-of-71 from the field, with consistent contributions from both starters and reserves. Chambers praised his team’s balanced effort: “Everyone played well, and that’s what we want to see early in the season.”

Hardin’s Heroics Propel Boys to Dominant Win

The Rangers boys team followed suit with a stellar performance of their own, led by senior John Hardin. The 6’8” standout dominated with 30 points and six blocks, leaving the Warriors scrambling to keep up.

Unaka’s full-court press overwhelmed A.C.T., forcing 23 turnovers and building a 38-16 lead midway through the second quarter. The Rangers’ relentless defense fueled their fast-paced offense, leading to 81 field goal attempts, of which they converted 46.

“Our goal is to hold teams under 60 points,” said head coach Aaron Dugger. “We did what we wanted tonight. We’ve got some kids that can score, but we need to improve defensively as the season progresses.”

The Rangers’ depth was on full display, with multiple players contributing offensively. In addition to Hardin, T.J. Good scored 15 points, while Austin Lambert and Aiden Walsh each added 12.

A.C.T. struggled to match Unaka’s intensity, shooting just 11-of-22 from the free-throw line.

Strong Start Sparks Optimism for the Season

The season-opening wins gave a glimpse of the Rangers’ potential, with both teams showing depth and cohesion. Coach Chambers highlighted the importance of younger players gaining experience in the girls’ game.

“Having the freshmen step up in a game like this is huge,” he said. “It’s early, but I’m proud of the way we came out and executed.”

Coach Dugger echoed a similar sentiment for the boys, noting the importance of consistency moving forward. “We’ve got to keep improving, especially defensively,” he said. “It’s great to see the guys bring energy, but the focus now is on maintaining that level.”

Looking Ahead

With strong performances in their opener, the Rangers appear poised for an exciting season. Both teams will face tougher competition in the coming weeks, but their early success sets a positive tone for what lies ahead.

Next up for Unaka are matchups that will further test their skills and resolve, but with Shields, Hardin, and a deep bench leading the way, the Rangers are ready to make their mark this season.

 

Score by Quarters (Girls)

Unaka: 26 22 15 12 — 75
A.C.T.: 5 2 2 8 — 19

Unaka Scorers: Lauren Lund 3, Emma Douglas 7, Michelle Shields 24, Emma Taylor 9, Ariana Sutherland 5, Brooklyn Campbell 8, Hailey Davis 5, Olivia Shepard 2, Katlynn Dugger 9, Kalli Shepard 1, Keyona Hague 2.
A.C.T. Scorers: Abby Bradley 1, Raegan Tibbs 2, Dru Debord 2, Lilah Musick 5, Danicas Musick 4, Lauren Hearl 5.

Score by Quarters (Boys)

Unaka: 25 21 38 14 — 98
A.C.T.: 7 16 18 8 — 49

Unaka Scorers: John Hardin 30, Mason Wilson 8, Rylan Crabtree 9, Austin Lambert 12, Aiden Walsh 12, T.J. Good 15, Jackson Deyton 2, Collin Fuel 8, Antonio Mireles 2.
A.C.T. Scorers: Luke Smith 2, Dante Fancher 19, Zeke Reynolds 16, Sam Horn 2, Joshua Moyies 2, Michael Gardner 8.