University School dampens homecoming activities with sweep of Jr. Rangers
Published 10:28 pm Sunday, December 15, 2019
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Star Photo/C.Y. Peters A Jr. Ranger takes the ball to the rim in Thursday's game against University School.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters A University School player challenges a layup attempt by a Jr. Ranger.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters A Jr. Lady Ranger pulls up for a shot in girls play from Thursday night.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters A University School player charges toward the basket as the Jr. Ranger defense closes in.
Star Photo/C.Y. Peters An Unaka player goes up for a jumper with plenty of rebounding help following the play for the Jr. Rangers.
BY C.Y. PETERS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Andrew and A.J teamed up to score 13 points in the first quarter and 25 in the game to lead the University School Jr. Bucs to a 48-21 win over Unaka on Unaka Elementary’s 2019 Basketball Homecoming night.
Emma Douglas was crowned Homecoming Queen for the Rangers.
Unaka was no match for the speedsters who played a perfect man to man with closely guarded coverage that forced the Rangers to turn the ball
over many times.
University School led 26-8 at the half.
Unaka could only score two points in the third with the Bucs adding 14 to their side of the scoreboard. University School hit 7 of 8 free throws while Unaka was 3 of 12.
Jacob Nidiffer was high scored for the Rangers with nine with Kaiden Benway tossing in six points.
“Turnovers killed us,” said Unaka Coach Josh Deyton.
It looked like the Lady Rangers would get a big win, but when their leading scorer fouled out with only a couple minutes left the University coach knew it was time to make his move.
The Jr. Bucs would outscore the Rangers 11 to 2 in the final minutes for a 30-22 win.
The game switched leads several times as Unaka led at the end of the first period 5-4.
The Lady Bucs regained the lead early in the second and went on top 14-10 at the break.
To open the third, Callie Hardin hit two quick buckets to tie the game and Sadie Williams gave the Rangers a 15-14 lead with a free throw.
University regained the lead near the end of the third 19-18 and would go on to win 30-22.
Emma Chandly led the Bucs with ten points while Ella Barnett scored eight.
Callie Hardin led the Rangers with 10 points and Danielle Miller scored nine.
“I knew when 21 fouled out we had a good chance to win and we applied the pressure,” said the Jr. Bucs head coach.
