Lions falter in 2nd half

UNION CITY – The Trinity Christian Academy Lions were a team many people in the area had as a preseason favorite coming into the season after returning the majority of their players from last year.

After winning the district championship over a tough Middleton team and falling in the Region 8-A championship against Memphis Mitchell, TCA found itself in a hostile environment on Tuesday night facing the top-ranked Union City Golden Tornados.

TCA played with the Tornadoes for the whole first half, but it couldn't keep the consistency through the second half as the Union City Golden Tornadoes defeated the TCA Lions by the score of 70-42.

Union City and TCA came out in the opening quarter playing competitive basketball. They exchanged the lead back and forth for the majority of the quarter.

With Union City leading 14-11 with seconds left in the first quarter, TCA's Eli Parker knocked down a 3-pointer as time expired to tie the game at 14 a piece at the end of the first.

Parker led TCA in scoring with 16 points.

TCA used the momentum from the previous quarter to jump out to a quick four-point lead it would hold for the majority of the second quarter.

In the closing minute of the first half, Union City's Quentrail Polk stole the ball and went on a fast break to tie the game at 25. That lead was TCA's final lead of the game.

Union City's Marcus DeBerry knocked down a 15-foot jumper with 22 seconds left in the half giving Union City a 27-26 advantage at the half.

"We played an outstanding first half for the most part," TCA coach Ken Northcut said. "We did a great job on offense and defense, but the last minute or two of the first gave Union City the momentum going into the half. That momentum was too much for us to overcome."

Union City came out in the second half and dominated the third quarter. Union City's Parker Stewart went on an 8-0 run of his own with two 3-pointers and a lay-up.

Union City continued that momentum and went on a 20-0 run that lasted over six minutes of the third quarter that was capped off with a dunk by Union City's DeBerry.

Parker Stewart led Union City in scoring with 20 points with 18 coming in the second half.

TCA never gave up and continued to play hard despite the score.

"I have some great guys on this team," Northcut said. "These seniors have given everything they've got for the past four years. Everyone on this team has given me everything they've got.

"The game of basketball has taught these guys a lot. These guys care for each other, and this has brought them together as a team and brotherhood."

TCA loses six seniors this year but returns 11 players for next year’s team.

"We lose six great seniors,” Northcut said. “These seniors have passed the test that I challenged them with.

“The torch will now be passed onto my current juniors. This has been a great season for this team and we will fight to be back here again next year."