The Messenger, Union City, Tennessee, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 Page Nine No rest for Swinney Briefly Brackets now set with title to defend By PAUL NEWBERRY Clemson in the Sugar Bowl for OCSS tourney AP National Writer semifinal before beating Hillcrest’s girls and the SANTA CLARA, Calif. Georgia for the crown. Ridgemont boys are the (AP) — “We’re a great program. top seeds for the upcom- won’t be celebrating for There’s no doubt about ing Obion County School long. that,” Swinney said at a System/TMSAA Area 16 After leading Clemson to Tuesday morning news Tournament, slated for its second national title in conference, sitting along- Jan. 17, 19 and 21. three years, the coach is side his freshman sensa- The first two nights of eager to get started on the tion, quarterback Trevor the tournament will be next one. Lawrence. “We’re incred- played at Hillcrest, and Swinney will be back in ibly consistent in every the championship games the office Friday — meet- area of our program. That’s will be held at Obion ing with players, going over what I’m more proud of County Central High the schedule for offseason than anything, just the con- School. workouts, establishing the sistency.” Play begins on Jan. tone for another champion- Clemson will almost cer- 17 with fourth-seed ship run. tainly begin the 2019 sea- Ridgemont playing fifth- That may sound like a son ranked No. 1 and no seed Black Oak in a girls’ perpetual grind to some worse than a co-favorite game at 6 p.m., followed folks. with the Crimson Tide to by No. 4 South Fulton Swinney calls it pure joy. win another national title. and No. 5 Black Oak in “I get motivated by win- The offense, in particular, boys’ play at 7:15. ning,” he said, his voice shouldn’t miss a beat. Those winners advance rising with excitement. “I Lawrence will return for to the Jan. 19 games don’t have to lose to get his first full season as the against Hillcrest and I’LL TAKE IT — Tennessee’s Kyle ing the first half of Tuesday night’s game motivated. Man, I’m as starter, having shredded Ridgemont, repectively, Alexander reaches for the ball past in Columbia, Mo. Alexander had 14 points motivated as I’ve ever been Alabama through the air for the girls playing at 5 and Missouri’s Kevin Puryear (left) and Reed and 17 rebounds as the Vols overcame an to get back to work with 347 yards and three touch- the boys at 6:30. Prior Nikko as the three battle for a rebound dur- early 27-18 lead to win 87-63. AP next year’s team and kind downs. Top running back to those games the sec- of figure it out. It’s going to , who scored ond and third seeds will be fun because we’ve got a two TDs in the title game, play as SF meets Lake Racers waiting on UTM to get home lot of unbelievable seniors is back along with several Road in girls’ action at 2 After nearly a month on trifectas) also chipped in McMillan’s tenure. The that are moving on, but starters from an offensive and Hillcrest faces LR in the road, the UT Martin 16.5 points per outing. Skyhawks have also post- we’ve got some dynamic line that had its way against boys’ play at 3:30. men’s basketball team Despite the two losses, UT ed a 66-10 home record pieces.” the Tide. And then there’s The championship returns to the Elam Center Martin knocked down 23 against OVC foes during The Tigers completed the receiving corps, which games on Jan. 21 will be for a Thursday night Ohio three-pointers and forced the same span. one of the greatest seasons will be led by sophomore- at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Valley Conference matchup the opposition into 38 turn- The Skyhawks enter in college football — the to-be (six against defending league overs. Thursday’s contest with a best ever, in the estimation catches, 153 yards, one Two Racer freshmen champion Murray State. Murray State (11-2, 2-0 9-4 overall mark while sit- of Swinney and his players TD vs. the Tide) and rising — with a stunning 44-16 junior (three named All-America The game — which is the OVC) leads the OVC in ting 1-1 in the league stand- back-end of a doubleheader nine different statistical ings after splitting contest blowout of mighty Alabama catches, 81 yards, a TD). Murray State punt- with the Skyhawk women’s categories and ranks in the against Eastern Illinois and in the national champion- “I definitely made the er Steven Dawson and basketball team — will start top-10 nationally in three- Southeast Missouri. ship game Monday night. right choice coming to offensive lineman Levi at about 7:30 p.m. point field goal percentage In the team’s latest meet- Clemson became the first Clemson,” Lawrence said. Nesler have been named The Skyhawks (5-8, 0-2 defense (.266, sixth) and ing, UT Martin overcame team in major-college his- “Anyone out there that has as FCS Freshman All- OVC) will put their five- assists per game (19.1, sev- an 18-point deficit in the tory to finish 15-0, totally any doubt about Clemson Americans by Phil Steele game home winning streak enth). third quarter to rattle off an dominating the reigning and what they say, it’s all Magazine. on the line as UT Martin The Racers started 80-73 comeback road vic- champion, a squad that true. Just a real family — Dawson had an out- has won its home games by off the conference sea- tory at SEMO. spent all season atop The the way we play for each standing first year as the an average of 16.8 points son with two home wins, UT Martin ranks as Associated Press rankings. other, the way these coach- punter for the Racers, per game in 2018-19. This defeating Morehead State the ninth highest scoring Swinney joined some es love the players. Just averaging 42.1 yards per marks the sixth time in the (90-69 Thursday) and offense in the country, aver- very select company, everyone is special.” punt with 10 of his 54 Skyhawks’ Division I his- Eastern Kentucky (97-85 aging 83.9 points per game, becoming only the 19th Clemson will have some total punts going over 50 tory (since 1992) that the Saturday). while defensively ranking coach to win multiple titles major losses to address on yards, including a long of program has started off a Point guard Ja Morant fourth in the nation with in the AP poll era, which the defensive side. Pass 66, and none of them get- season with five consecu- has helped ignite Murray 13.1 steals and 11th with began in 1936. rusher , tackle ting blocked. tive home victories. State this season, as he was 22.7 turnovers forced per While he scoffed at the , middle Where Dawson really UT Martin began OVC recently ranked as the top game. idea of using the D-word linebacker Tre Lamar and stood out, however, was play last week with a pair 2019 NBA Draft prospect The Skyhawks currently — “We’re a long way from cornerback his ability to pin oppo- of tough overtime losses on by NBADraft.net. The boast two players averag- a dynasty” — there is no are candidates to leave a nents deep in their own the road, just the fifth time sophomore leads NCAA ing in double figures on denying that Clemson has year early for the NFL draft. territory and limiting their in school history that the Division I basketball with the season in All-OVC for- gained equal billing with Tackle Christina Wilkins, opportunities for return. Skyhawks played back-to- 9.9 assists per game while ward Chelsey Perry with Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide end and line- Nesler, a former walk- back OVC overtime con- ranking 12th nationally in 11.7 points per game, while in any discussion of college backer Kendall Joseph have on, played a key role in tests. scoring (23.3 points per four-time OVC Freshman football’s most dominant wrapped up their college an offensive line that UTM held late second game). of the Week Damiah Griffin programs. careers. averaged the most rush- half leads in both games WOMEN averages 11.2 points. The Tigers are 55-4 over But Swinney doesn’t ing yards per game by before falling 92-87 at The women’s game Murray State is 5-8 on the last four seasons — the seem the least bit con- a Racer offense since Eastern Illinois on Thursday Thursday is slated to tip off the season with a 1-1 mark same record as Alabama. cerned. 2014 at 132.7. In addi- and 74-69 at Southeast at 5:30 p.m. and is will be in league play. The Racers Those two teams have div- Youngsters such as tion, Nesler and the rest Missouri on Saturday. streamed on ESPN+. split the opening confer- vied up the national titles, , K.J. Henry of the line allowed just 20 Fatodd Lewis (16.5 UT Martin has 239 ence weekend by falling with three of their meet- and Justin Mascoll are sacks, the lowest number points, nine rebounds) led home victories since 1995, to Morehead State before ings coming in the cham- ready to step in. The next allowed by a MSU team the Skyhawks last week, including a 95-23 record defeating Eastern Kentucky pionship game. The only group of stellar recruits has since 2010. while Preston Parks (seven during head coach Kevin on Saturday. exception was last season, already started moving into when Alabama knocked off the dorms.

ond period, Williams with got more minutes than Strong ... two and Triana Mackins they would have because We Are Your Custom Wheel & Tire (continued from page 8) with a three-pointer. of our injury situation, Mackins hit another triple and they did some good and an Amber Lemon field in the third, answering Erin things,” Lady Twister head goal in the second as the HEADQUARTERS! McDaniel’s three from the coach Chuck Reedy said. Lady Tornadoes took a 10- left corner with one from “Ultimately, when we get 1 lead at the first break and that same spot on the other all our people back — and ALL BRANDS a 22-3 lead at intermission. end of the floor to give UC it won’t be until next sea- UC put together a lit- a 25-6 lead. son for a couple of them — OF WHEELS & tle flurry of points late in Union City led 37-15 this should make us better TIRES! the first quarter as Jada after three quarters. because of the experience Williams popped a three- Shyon Stephens led all we’re gaining with other pointer from the left wing players with 15 points, fin- people.” PLUS ALL and Kylie McCadney turned ishing strong with seven — With Arielle Everett and YOUR a Devilette turnover into a including a three-pointer — Shadimon Henry already TRUCKING layup at the other end. in the fourth period, while done for the year with knee Lemon’s field goal, SF’s Williams added 14 points. injuries, UC was missing ACCESSORIES first of the night and one Bre Williams hit two treys a third starter Tuesday as of only seven for the game, and joined McCadney with Kyndall Davis was benched came at 5:19 of the second eight points. for back issues. frame. UC, meanwhile, got “Mackins, Bre (Williams) Quinn had seven points WE FINANCE! five field goals in the sec- 2118 W. Reelfoot • Union City, TN and McCadney obviously for SF. CUSTOMS 885-7373 MESSENGER SPORTS SCOREBOARD Evansville 67, Loyola of Chicago 48 terms with him on a four-year contract. THE BEST PRICES AROUND! nfl playoffs Illinois St. 70, N. Iowa 69 ATLANTA FALCONS — Named By The Associated Press Kent St. 88, W. Michigan 73 Dirk Koetter offensive coordinator and Wild-card Playoffs Maryland 82, Minnesota 67 Mike Mularkey tight ends coach. Saturday’s Results Michigan St. 77, Purdue 59 CHICAGO BEARS — Signed OL Indianapolis 21, Houston 7 Missouri St. 72, Indiana St. 57 Dejon Allen, DL Abdullah Anderson, Dallas 24, Seattle 22 Tennessee 87, Missouri 63 RB Ryan Nall, LBs James Vaughters Sunday’s Results Valparaiso 61, Bradley 50 and Josh Woods, WRs Tanner Gentry UNION CITY INSURANCE L.A. Chargers 23, Baltimore 17 SOUTHWEST and Cyril Grayson and DBs John Philadelphia 16, Chicago 15 Baylor 73, Iowa St. 70 Franklin III, Michael Joseph and Commercial • Disability • Home • Auto Divisional Playoffs Oklahoma St. 61, Texas 58 Jonathon Mincy to reserve/future Saturday, Jan. 12 Texas Tech 66, Oklahoma 59 contracts. Individual & Group, Health • Life • Long Term Care Indianapolis at Kansas City, 3:35 p.m. FAR WEST DETROIT LIONS — Named Mike (NBC) Colorado St. 87, Air Force 64 Disner vice president of football Dallas at L.A. Rams, 7:15 p.m. (FOX) administration. Sunday, Jan. 13 transactions GREEN BAY PACKERS — Named Los Angeles Chargers at New England, Tuesday’s Sports Transactions Matt LaFleur coach. 12:05 p.m. (CBS) By The Associated Press NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Philadelphia at New Orleans, 3:40 BASEBALL Placed TE Jacob Holister on injured p.m. (FOX) American League reserve. Signed TE Stephen Anderson Conference Championships CHICAGO WHITE SOX — from the practice squad and DB A.J. Sunday, Jan. 20 Designated LHP Ian Clarkin for Howard and OL Dan Skipper to the NFC assignment. Agreed to terms with RHP practice squad. TBD, 2:05 p.m. (FOX) Kelvin Herrera on a two-year contract. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — AFC KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Agreed Named Bruce Arians coach. TBD, 5:40 p.m. (CBS) to terms with RHP Michael Ynoa to a GOLF Pro Bowl minor league contract. RYDER CUP EUROPE — Named Sunday, Jan. 27 TEXAS RANGERS — Named Eric Padraig Harrington captain of the 2020 At Orlando, Fla. Gagne bullpen coach of Nashville team. AFC vs. NFC, 2 p.m. (ABC/ESPN) (PCL); Alex Rodriguez trainer of HOCKEY Super Bowl Frisco (TL); Corey Ragsdale manager, National Hockey League Sunday, Feb. 3 Chase Lambin and Turtle Thomas CAROLINA HURRICANES — At Atlanta coaches, Luke Teeters trainer and Adam Recalled D Dan Renouf from Charlotte AFC champion vs. NFC champion, Noel strength and conditioning coach (AHL). 5:30 p.m. (CBS) of Down East (Carolina); and Jared COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS Goedert and Josh Johnson coaches and — Recalld F Maxime Fortier from college basketball Bronson Santillan trainer of Hickory Jacksonville (ECHL) to Cleveland By The Associated Press (SAL). (AHL). Tuesday’s Scores National League NEW YORK ISLANDERS — EAST LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Returned F Josh Ho-Sang to Bridgeport Villanova 76, St. John’s 71 Acquired RHP Jaime Schultz from (AHL). Yale 88, Skidmore 59 Tampa Bay for RHP Caleb Sampen. SAN JOSE SHARKS — Recalled SOUTH NEW YORK METS — Placed 3B D Michael Brodzinski and Cody Duke 87, Wake Forest 65 David Wright on waivers for the Donaghey from Orlando (ECHL) to Kentucky 85, Texas A&M 74 purpose of his unconditional release. San Jose (AHL). LSU 88, Alabama 79 Signed LHP Hector Santiago to a minor TENNIS 315 S. Second St. No. Alabama 61, Florida Gulf Coast 56 league contract. Named Zach Weber USTA — Named Chris Evert chair North Carolina 90, NC State 82 manager of media relations, Alan Suriel of the USTA Foundation Board of Union City, TN South Carolina 87, Mississippi St. 82 translator/public relations assistant and Directors. MIDWEST Zack Becker communications assistant. COLLEGE Bowling Green 82, Ohio 63 FOOTBALL GEORGIA TECH — Announced 885-5453 Cent. Michigan 88, Akron 86, OT National Football League sophomore men’s basketball F Jordan Drake 82, S. Illinois 70 ARIZONA CARDINALS — Named Usher has transferred from Southern unioncityinsurance.com E. Michigan 84, Ball St. 82, 2OT Kliff Kingsbury coach and agreed to Cal.