UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – The girls basketball season for Branch County teams ended last night when Union City lost to Hillsdale 46-36 in the semi-finals of the Reading Class C District. The Lady Chargers elimination followed MHSAA March Magic first round losses on Monday for Coldwater, Bronson and Quincy. Last night, Union City had a 15-13 lead at the half before the Hornets rallied for a ten point victory. Rachael Grinnnell had a team-high 11 points and 9 rebounds in the loss. Rachael Wing also had 9 rebounds along with 10 points while Riley Smith added 10 rebounds and 8 points. Union City finishes with a 3-18 record.
Also last night, in the North Adams-Jerome Class D District semifinals, the host Rams defeated Pansophia Academy 47-17.
The boys basketball regular season for Branch County teams wraps tonight with the boys state tournament tipping off on Monday including the Coldwater Class B District while Quincy, Bronson, and Union City will open second season play at the Hillsdale Class C District. Tonight’s schedule includes County rivals Coldwater and Bronson matching up for a non-conference contest in Coldwater. We’ll have the action on the radio beginning with the pre-game show at 7 pm. The junior varsity game starts at six o’clock with the varsity to follow at around 7:30.
Elsewhere, the Big 8 Conference crown will be decided tonight when Quincy plays at Concord. Both teams have just one loss in the league with Quincy’s only defeat this season coming at home last month against Concord. Also in the Big 8, it’s Union City at home against Homer. And Tekonsha plays tonight at Pittsford.
The second round of the 42nd annual Al Clyne Coldwater Noon Exchange Club Freshman Boys Basketball Tournament began last night at Legg Middle School and the host Coldwater Cardinals lost their championship bracket game to Jackson Lumen Christi 50-30. The Cardinals trailed 20-6 at the end of the first quarter and just weren’t able to recover from their slow start. Joe Severn had 8 points for Coldwater, which will play for third place in their final game of the season at 5:30 pm Saturday. The title game will follow at 7:15 pm.
In last night’s consolation bracket contest, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix defeated Jonesville 64-28. Two more second round games are on the schedule for tonight.
Today on the Coaches Corner, it’s Union City Boys basketball coach Ben Chard.
