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By C.Y. Peters

For the second time in December, the Unaka Rangers proved their resilience on the hardwood, defeating the Twin Springs Titans 57-52 in a hard-fought road contest. Overcoming a red-hot shooting display from the Titans in the second quarter, the Rangers’ defense and key offensive contributions led them to another thrilling victory.

The Rangers jumped out to an early 17-14 lead after the first quarter, thanks to Mason Wilson’s pair of 3-pointers and John Hardin’s five points, setting the tone for a competitive matchup. However, Twin Springs erupted in the second quarter, scorching the nets with six 3-pointers spread across four players. This offensive outburst gave the Titans a 32-27 lead heading into halftime, with Clay Ross and Jacob Dunn leading the charge.

The third quarter saw the Rangers battle back behind an impressive scoring surge from Hardin, who tallied eight points in the period. Aiden Walsh added five, helping Unaka claw back to tie the game at 46 as the two teams entered the final stanza neck and neck.

In the decisive fourth quarter, the Rangers’ defense took center stage. The Titans were held to just six points, managing only one field goal as Unaka clamped down with superb defensive intensity. Despite struggling at the free-throw line, hitting just 2-of-8 attempts in the final period, the Rangers outscored the Titans 11-6 to secure the hard-earned win.

Hardin led all scorers with a game-high 26 points, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Walsh contributed 11 points, and Wilson added 10, giving the Rangers a balanced offensive attack. On the Titans’ side, Ross poured in 21 points, while Dunn chipped in 13, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Unaka’s determination.

Winning on the road is never easy, especially against a talented team like Twin Springs. Yet, the Rangers showed poise and grit, proving why they are a team to watch this season.

 

Unaka: 17 10 19 11 – 57
Twin Springs: 14 18 14 6 – 52

Unaka: Wilson 10, Hardin 26, Crabtree 8, Walsh 11, Jackson 2.
Twin Springs: Dunn 13, Ross 21, Weddle 4, Thomas 7, Berg 7.