By Michael Lindsay

 

Girls

The Upperman Lady Bees (14-3) opened 2025 in the win column on Friday as they defeated Lenoir City, 58-34.

“I was proud of the way the kids played,” said Upperman head coach Dana McWilliams. “We had lost the last two games we played against two really good teams up in Greeneville. I thought this was a really good bounce back for us; Lenoir City is very well-coached with a lot of good players.

Sadie South led the Lady Bees offensively with 25 points including 6 three-pointers along with 17 points by Gracie Butler.

“Sadie shot the ball really well from the three-point line,” said McWilliams. “Gracie had a really nice game getting to the rim, too.”

Lenoir City jumped out to a 9-5 lead midway through the first period before Upperman reeled off a 12-0 run to end the first quarter with a 17-9 advantage.

“We knew they were a good team and they came out a shot the ball well early,” said McWilliams. “It took us a minute to get in rhythm.”

Upperman pushed ahead by double digits with 2:12 left until halftime as a South trey gave the Lady Bees a 27-15 advantage. Upperman led 33-18 at halftime.

The Lady Bees maintained their lead throughout the second half as they led 46-27 after three quarters before winning by a 58-34 final score.

Up next for the Lady Bees is a quick turnaround as they host Creek Wood on Saturday at 6 p.m.

“We really try to embrace that tough competition and like the challenge, but it is nice to be home and play in front of your crowd,” added McWilliams.

Boys

The Upperman Bees improved to 11-2 overall Friday evening as they defeated the Lenoir City Panthers, 63-38.

“It took us a little while to get going,” said Upperman head coach Bobby McWilliams. “We’ve been extremely sick the past few weeks, but we’re getting better and going in the right direction. We played better on both sides of the ball tonight than we had over the holidays.”

Sophomore point guard Ty Cobb led the Bees in scoring with 23 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals followed by a double-double from Colton Johnson, who recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Upperman opened the gate with 20 first-quarter points as they led 20-14 entering the second quarter. The Bees extended their lead to double digits (24-14) via a Bronzden Chaffin outback dunk with 6 minutes remaining until halftime.

The Bees held Lenoir City to only 3 second-quarter points as they took a 37-17 lead into the locker room.

“We were more disciplined in the half court than we have been,” said McWilliams. “We made sure we sat down and guarded a little better and finished off the possession. We were able to mix in some of our zones in late, too.”

Upperman kept their foot on the gas in the third period as a Cobb breakaway dunk to end the third quarter gave Upperman a 46-24 advantage entering the fourth quarter, where they closed out to win by a 63-38 final score.

The Bees have a quick turnaround as they host Creek Wood on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.