Owls Fly High to Open the Season Under New Head Coach Jaleel Taylor

BALTIMORE, MD – November 3, 2025

The Lady Owls tipped off their 2025–2026 season in impressive fashion, going 2-0 at the CCBC Catonsville Tip-Off Classic in Baltimore, Maryland. The weekend marked the start of a new era for the program, as Head Coach Jaleel Taylor made his debut on the sidelines, guiding the Owls to two dominant victories built on energy, defensive intensity, and unselfish play.

Day 1: Union Overpowers Hagerstown to Open the Season

The Owls opened the tournament on Saturday, November 1st, against Hagerstown Community College. While the first three minutes saw both teams trading baskets, Union quickly found its rhythm. The Owls ramped up their defensive pressure and turned defense into offense, going on a 12–2 run that broke the game open. From there, Union controlled every aspect of the game, cruising to a 97–48 win over the Hawks.

Freshman guard Jasmin McKay made an immediate statement, leading all scorers with 28 points while shooting a remarkable 78% from the field. She also added 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 rebound, setting the tone for what would become a dominant weekend. Freshman guard Zakiyyah “YaYa” Lindsey showed her all-around skill with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, while sophomore Zanaya Parsons filled the stat sheet with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 assists. Off the bench, freshman Aaliyah Littles provided an offensive spark, contributing 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. It was a balanced, high-energy performance from a team that looked sharp and confident in their first action under Coach Taylor.

Day 2: Union Rallies Past CCBC Catonsville

On Sunday, November 2nd, the Owls returned to face tournament host CCBC Catonsville, a team determined to defend its home court. The Cardinals came out firing, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to ignite an 8–0 run. Rather than calling an early timeout, Coach Taylor allowed his players to find their footing.

“I didn’t call a timeout because they are a young team,” Taylor explained after the game. “This is something I knew they could and would work through.”

The trust paid off. Union regrouped defensively and chipped away at the deficit, closing the first quarter with a 17–14 lead. From there, the Owls took full control. Their pressure defense forced turnovers, and their transition offense came alive, outscoring Catonsville 25–5 in the second quarter. The second half was all Union, as they rolled to a commanding 92–42 victory to finish the weekend undefeated.

Once again, Jasmin McKay led the charge with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, capping off an exceptional weekend. Lindsey followed with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists, continuing her steady play. Brianna Patterson added 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Zanaya Parsons posted a strong double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with 4 steals. Off the bench, Jada Rogers rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, providing valuable depth.

A Strong Start to a New Era

Through the first two games of the season, Union displayed a clear identity under Coach Taylor, fast-paced, disciplined, and aggressive on both ends of the court. The Owls averaged 94.5 points per game while holding their opponents to just 45 per contest, a reflection of their team chemistry and defensive effort. As the Jaleel Taylor era begins, this young and hungry team is already showing signs of something special.