Both Union basketball teams made the playoffs and advanced out of the Division 5-3A Tournament this past week.
The Union girls won two games last week, beating Clarkdale 63-25 before losing to Morton 51-28 in the semifinals. The Lady Yellowjackets responded with a 48-40 win over Enterprise in the consolation game to finish third.
The Union boys lost two of three games last week. After beating Enterprise 51-27 on Tuesday, the Yellowjackets lost 55-28 to Southeast Lauderdale and 41-38 to Forest in the consolation game to finish fourth overall.
Both teams will advance in the Class 3A playoffs and play on Tuesday at Port Gibson. The girls will play at 6 p.m. while the boys will follow at 7:30 p.m.
Union girls 63, Clarkdale 25
The Lady Yellowjackets started fast in each half and cruised to a 38-point win over the Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday to qualify for the playoffs.
Union jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first period and then outscored Clarkdale 15-11 in the second period to lead 36-14 at the half. Union put the game away in the third period as they outscored Clarkdale 20-9 to extend the lead to 56-23 going to the fourth. Union finished by outscoring Clarkdale 7-2 to take the win.
Kylee Madden had a big game with 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Gracyn Tillman had 14 points, five steals and four rebounds while Rymia Craft had seven points, six rebounds and three steals. Anna Shaw had four points and nine rebounds.
Union boys 51, Enterprise 37
The Union boys finished strong in each half and took a 14-point win over the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Enterprise led 9-7 at the end of the first before Union outscored the Bulldogs 20-14 in the second to take a 27-23 lead into the half. Each team scored eight points in the third period and Union finished by outscoring Enterprise 16-6 to take the win.
U’Darrion Hickman led Union with 14 points while Keon Hutchins had 13 points and Kamarion Rushing added 10 points.
Morton girls 51, Union 28
The Lady Panthers advanced to the Division 5-3A tournament championship with a 23-point win over the Lady Yellowjackets on Thursday.
Union led 9-8 at the end of the first period before Morton outscored the Lady Yellowjackets 20-3 in the second period to lead 28-12 at the half. Morton extended the lead in the second half by outscoring Union 12-5 to lead 40-17 going to the fourth. Each team scored 11 points in the fourth period for the final margin.
Anna Shaw had seven points and five rebounds while Rymia Craft had seven points, four rebounds and three assists. Kylee Madden had three points, five steals, three rebounds and two assists while Destiny Moulds had six rebounds.
Southeast Lauderdale boys 55, Union 28
The Tigers dominated the first three periods and took a 27-point win over the Yellowjackets.
Southeast led 10-4 at the end of the first and then outscored Union 16-4 to lead 26-8 at the half. Southeast then outscored Union 19-7 in the third to take a 45-15 lead. Union took the fourth period 13-10 for the final margin.
Mason Tucker led Union with eight points while Kamarion Rushing had five points.
Union girls 48, Enterprise 40
The Lady Yellowjackets used a big third period to pull away and take a win in the consolation game of the 5-3A Tournament on Friday.
Union led 9-5 at the end of the first and outscored Enterprise 10-8 in the second to take a 19-13 lead at the time. Union then pulled away in the third period and outscored Enterprise 21-9 in the third to lead 40-22 going to the fourth. Enterprise took the fourth period 18-8 to take the win.
Gracyn Tillman led Union with 15 points and three rebounds while Kylee Madden had 11 points, three steals, three rebounds and three assists. Anna Shaw had eight points and 12 rebounds while Rymia Craft had seven points, six rebounds and four steals. Morgan Show also had six points while Destiny Moulds had eight rebounds and three steals.
Forest boys 41, Union 38
The Bearcats built an early lead and held on to take a three-point win over the Yellowjackets on Friday in the 5-3A consolation game.
Forest led 10-7 at end of the first and outscored Union 6-5 in the second to lead 16-12 at the half. Forest took the third period 16-12 to lead 32-24 going to the fourth before Union outscored the Bearcats 14-9 for the final margin.
Keon Hutchins led Union with 11 points while U’Darrion Hickman, Kamarion Rushing and Michael Buffington each had seven points
