Union freshman Reagan Glenn (33) attempts a field goal against No. 4 Benton Community during the Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Van Horne. Glenn contributed four points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals against the Bobcats. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Union girls basketball team made it to round two of the Class 3A postseason this year before losing 65-38 to the fourth-ranked Benton Community last Wednesday night in the Class 3A regional semifinal.

“We knew going into the Benton game it would be a challenge as they’ve had a good year,” Union head coach Robert Driscoll told the Telegraph in an email. “I thought the girls played very hard and didn’t back down which I’ve seen from them throughout the year. Overall, I was pleased with how they played.”

Keeping the Bobcats from running up the point spread any more than they did was a feat for the Knights who won just four games in the regular season before beating Oelwein in the first round of the postseason.

While the Knights put the first points on the board in Van Horne on Feb. 15 with a pair of free throws by junior Brigitte Rohrer, the prowess of Benton senior Jenna Twedt who totaled 24 points including six 3-pointers was a bit more than Union could manage.

“Twedt is a great player and shot well from the start,” Driscoll said. “We changed defenses multiple times to slow things down and eventually found a bit of success with a triangle and two. Credit goes to Benton for hitting shots and we definitely ran into a buzzsaw the first half of the game.”

Union’s Ava Mills (25) heads for the basket against fourth-ranked Benton Community last Wednesday evening in Van Horne during the Class 3A regional semifinal. Despite losing to the Bobcats 65-38, Mills logged a superb night with eight points, three rebounds, four assists, and four steals. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Bobcats scored 25 points in the first quarter and another 23 in the second – many of those 3-pointers from multiple players including Twedt – but Union never backed down and it paid off in the second half with Benton scoring just 17 points.

Offensively, Union juniors Rohrer and Reagan Sorensen led the team with Rohrer scoring 13 points and Sorensen putting up 11 including three 3-pointers.

Rohrer also led the defense with nine rebounds and one block.

Junior starter Ava Mills also had a superb night against the Bobcats with eight points, three rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while freshman starter Reagan Glenn contributed four points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

The Knights had 14 turnovers to the Bobcats’ 10.

Union point guard Reagan Sorensen (15) gives directions to her teammates during the Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Van Horne. Sorensen, who has played steady all year for the Knights, led the offense with 11 points including three 3-pointers. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“Even though the wins weren’t what we’d all hoped for [this season], the girls improved individually and as a team as we look at statistical categories compared to last year,” Driscoll said. “[A]lmost every category saw an increase in performance as well as individual stats.”

The final 10 days of play for the Knights most definitely belied their 5-19 season record, something coach Driscoll noted in rounding out his comments for the Telegraph.

“It was a fun week as the girls played well for most of the Denver game Monday [Feb. 6], outstanding against Oelwein on Tuesday [Feb. 7], and a regional win [against Oelwin on Feb. 11] is always fun.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER