MT. STORM, W.Va. — For the first time in the school’s 55 year history, the girls basketball team for Union High School is headed to the state tournament in Charleston.
As a result, Union Athletic Director Jamie Tallman does not expect many citizens to be left in the town of Mt. Storm and surrounding Grant County communities on Tuesday with the Lady Tigers tip-off at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in the Class A Tournament.
“You’re not going to get into too many traffic jams in our area anyway but I’m pretty sure you won’t get into any on Tuesday,” Tallman said.
The Lady Tigers, 16-5, downed Pendleton County in the co-Region II final, 54-41 on Wednesday night. Tallman said it came dramatically as the team was down early but was able to turn a slow start into a ticket to the capital city. Union was on the road for that game after falling to Tucker County in the sectional final, 63-43.
Following the trip back into town Wednesday night, the girls were met by many members of the community, young and old, to celebrate.
“It’s been overwhelming and incredible knowing that it has been so tough to get a team down there. Then the outpouring of support has been amazing,” Tallman said.
“There has been non-stop buzz from the community. Excitement like I’ve never seen before.”
Tallman said the community connection runs deep based on the size of the school, being one of the smallest in the state. The high school is a part of a building with the elementary and middle school called Union Educational Complex.
Tallman, who also coaches three sports and teaches at the school, said there are around 56 students this year in grades 9-12.
“A lot of the girls on the team have cousins, little sisters, little brothers, big sisters, big brothers, aunts and uncles, grandparents here. It’s the whole nine yards as far as people being connected to our little school here,” Tallman said.
Members of the team include Alexandria Jones, Sophia Carr, Olivia Bomboy, Victoria Seabolt, Isabella Harvey, Brittany Thomas, Hailee Whitacre, Bridgette Knapp, Alyson Streets, Kaylee Wolfe, Lexi Stahl, Jaiden Thomas, Brianna Martin, Clarissa Chapman, Chanelle Sutton, and Bailey Evans. The head coach is Alex Stapleton and the assistant coaches are Mike Burdock and Jason Evans.
Union received the No. 8 seed in the tournament and will square off against No.1 Gilmer County (22-2) on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
The Class A tournament schedule includes:
Game 1 – No. 6 Tucker County vs. No. 3 Tug Valley – Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
Game 2 – No. 7 River View vs. No. 2 Cameron – Tuesday, 1 p.m.
Game 3 – No. 8 Union vs. No. 1 Gilmer County – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
Game 4 – No. 5 Webster County vs. No. 4 Doddridge County – Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Class A semifinals:
Game 5 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner – Thursday, 11:15 a.m.
Game 6 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner – Thursday, 7:15 p.m.
Game 7 – Championship – Saturday, 10 a.m.
Tallman said the boys basketball team made it once in school history, in 1986.
The Union Lady Tigers being greeted with love at the Tiger Den after returning as Regional Champions! On to the State Tournament, 1st time in school history! #TigerPride pic.twitter.com/2q90NcV6JG
— Jamie Tallman (@UEC_Athletics) March 3, 2022