Unaka splits games with University High in thrilling hardwood matchup
Published 2:40 pm Monday, January 20, 2025
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Michelle Shields (3) drives in for a layup to score two points for the Lady Rangers.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Lady Rangers’ Katlyn Dugger (23) shoots a three-pointer.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent The Lady Rangers execute a full-court press.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Lady Rangers’ Katlyn Dugger (23) passes the ball to an open teammate in the corner.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Lauren Lund (1) of the Lady Rangers looks for an open lane.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Michelle Shields (3) pushes forward on a fast break for the Lady Rangers.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Unaka’s John Hardin (55) receives the ball in the post.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent John Hardin (55) and a Junior Buc fight for a loose ball.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Unaka’s Rylan Crabtree (15) shoots a three-pointer.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Mason Wilson (12) pushes the ball up the floor for the Rangers.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent John Hardin (55) prepares to shoot a free throw. He led the Rangers with 23 points.
Mike Hynes/Star Correspondent Coach Aaron Dugger watches the action on the floor.
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By C.Y. Peters
The Unaka Rangers hosted University High on Friday night, delivering a night of high-energy basketball that saw the Lady Rangers dominate while the boys fell short in a gritty battle.
Lady Rangers Roll Past Junior Lady Bucs
Coach Buddy Hazelwood’s University High squad was overpowered in the girls’ game, as Unaka’s depth and firepower proved too much to handle in a 66-39 rout.
“Unaka had too many weapons; we were outmanned,” Hazelwood admitted. “I’m down to about six players, but they played hard.”
Unaka wasted no time asserting dominance, jumping to an 18-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. Michelle Shields was electric, draining three treys in the opening period and finishing the night with a game-high 23 points. The Lady Rangers extended their lead to 42-15 by halftime, hitting 11 three-pointers over the course of the game.
Ari Sutherland added 11 points for Unaka, while Kaitlyn Dugger and Lauren Lund each contributed eight. Emma Chandley was a bright spot for the Junior Lady Bucs, scoring 23 points in a valiant effort.
Junior Bucs Hold Off Rangers in Boys’ Thriller
In boys’ action, University High’s Junior Bucs held off a relentless Unaka comeback to secure a 79-71 victory. The visitors stormed out to a 9-2 start and maintained control for much of the game, using a sharp-shooting display led by Andrew Cole, who poured in an impressive 32 points.
The Junior Bucs’ early dominance was evident as they built a 20-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. Unaka battled back in the second, outscoring University High 22-17 and cutting the halftime deficit to 37-30. The Rangers were efficient, sinking 9 of 12 shots from the field in the second quarter.
The third quarter saw Unaka inch closer, pulling within two points at 52-50 late in the period. However, Cole’s timely three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Junior Bucs a nine-point cushion heading into the final frame. Despite hitting 18 of 28 free throws and outshooting their opponents in the second and third quarters, the Rangers couldn’t overcome their sluggish start.
John Hardin led Unaka with 23 points, while Aiden Walsh chipped in 12 and Peyton Guess added 10. Brody Weems contributed 17 points for the Junior Bucs, complementing Cole’s offensive outburst.
The Rangers’ inability to contain Cole, especially from beyond the arc, proved costly. “Every time we made a push, he hit a big shot,” a frustrated Unaka coach said after the game.
The Lady Rangers have now won nine straight games and are 14-3 on the season. The boys are 10-4.
Boys
Unaka: 8 22 20 21 — 71
University High: 20 17 22 20 — 79
Unaka Scorers: Hardin 23, Wilson 9, Crabtree 8, Lambert 1, Walsh 12, Good 8, Guess 10
University High Scorers: Francis 7, Croley 14, Weems 17, Poitor 4, Cole 32, Brady 3
Girls
Unaka: 18 24 10 14 — 66
University High: 4 11 11 13 — 39
Unaka Scorers: Lund 8, Douglas 5, Shields 23, Sutherland 11, Dugger 8, Sheppard 6, Hague 4
University High Scorers: Oritz 7, Chandley 23, Bayewicz 4, Linkous 5
