Knights senior guard Ethan Winnike (3) sinks a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter against the visiting Grundy Center Spartans on Thursday, Feb. 12, in La Porte City. The Knights claimed a 74-65 victory that evening, ending Grundy Center’s 20-game win streak and unbeaten season. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

LA PORTE CITY – Mid-February in Iowa means high school basketball teams are preparing for the postseason. It is a time of year where the cream rises to the top and teams hitting their stride entering the postseason can do the most damage. All roads were leading to the match-up in La Porte City on Thursday, Feb. 12, as the Union Knights (18-3) hosted the undefeated Grundy Center Spartans (20-0) in the final regular season game. The two North Iowa Cedar League (NICL) powerhouses both returned teams this season who competed at last year’s state tournament.

While the visiting Spartans entered the contest with their record on the line, the Knights were confident coming into the game. On paper, this was a coin-flip. Of 14 similar opponents, the Spartans outperformed the Knights in just half, but the Knights won the combined 14 games by a margin of +41 in comparison. There would be no room for error on either side.

In a game where every player and every shot matters, the Knights found themselves down a key member of the team before tipoff due to illness. Sophomore Bryson DeWinter – one of the Knights’ best defenders – was not available to play. For a team full of not just seniors, but one of the most experienced senior classes in the state, it was business as usual. A packed Union High School gym was ready to witness a battle of two of the best high school teams in Iowa.

The opening tip would go the Spartans’ way, but Union set the tone fast. Strong defense led to a Spartan turnover. Senior Sawyer Spence kicked off the Knights’ scoring, draining a 3-point shot a minute into the game. The Spartans used strong ball movement and quick passing to attack the Knights. The game was physical from the start, with Union Knight players flying across the court. That did not impact the Knights, as they forced two early Grundy Center turnovers. A Union quick pass to Spence down low would lead to a basket and a 5-4 Knight advantage. Wash, rinse, repeat – another quick Union pass to senior Cam Mullen added two more. At the halfway point of the quarter, the Knights started to make their move. Another 3-pointer by Spence put the Knights up 10-8. The following Grundy Center possession was ended with a Spence steal and quick pass downcourt to a sprinting senior Maddux DeWinter who was fouled hard. The Knights were up 12-8. A block by senior Tate Van Dyke and another Knights fast break. The teams continued to trade blows. Senior Caden Sorensen added a 3-pointer of his own with just over a minute to play in the quarter. Sorensen, a four-year starter who was shooting nearly 40% from deep entering the game, would need to tap into that experience to lead the Knights the rest of the game. The Sorensen trey was the start of a 9-0 Knights run in the final 1:30 of the quarter, giving the Knights a 23-15 lead.

Senior Ethan Winnike would cut to the hoop and score the opening points of the second quarter, extending the Knights lead to 10 points. Another senior, Henry Hegdahl, came into the game and helped the Knights continue their high speed pace of play and relentless defense. The lead would get as high as 11-points (28-17) before the Spartans started to counter. Aided by frequent trips to the free throw line in the second quarter, Grundy Center would trim the Union lead to five points. The Knights took a 38-33 lead into the locker room.

PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The second half started with the same intensity as the first. The Spartans fought back, taking a 37-36 lead before committing another hard foul. Cam Mullen’s free throws put the Knights back on top, 38-37. The teams continued to trade baskets for much of the quarter. Sorensen hit another massive 3-point shot, giving the Knights a 46-43 lead. The Knights defense applied more pressure the Spartans could not handle, resulting in another turnover. At the end of the quarter, the Knights held a slim 50-49 lead. It would all come down to the fourth quarter. The skill and experience of the Knights senior class against the physicality of the Spartans.

The Spartans would strike first in the fourth, taking a 51-50 lead. Less than a minute into the quarter, Sorensen grabbed a defensive rebound and was pulled to the ground from behind, crashing to the floor. Sorensen immediately grabbed his leg. The gym fell silent. He was playing in his 95th career game, ranking second all-time in Union history and just two games short of the outright record. Already a Union boys basketball legend, Sorensen has a career of accomplishments, including all-time assist leader, all-time 3-point leader, second in all-time scoring, second in all-time steals, and much more. As he was helped off the floor putting no weight on his leg, the packed gym gave him a thunderous standing ovation.

As the game started, as it should end. Already down a top defender in Bryson DeWinter, the Knights would now need to play the remainder of the game without their leader. In a team full of seniors, this team had the experience and skills to take care of business. With 7:04 to play in the game, the Knights were down 50-51.

The Knights played TEAM basketball and all contributed. The Knights quickly attacked with Van Dyke getting a basket down low, retaking the lead. Spence did what he has done so many times this year – played great defense and turned over the Spartans yet again. The Spartans quickly fouled him and the Knights were back in business on the offensive side of the ball. More back and forth, and another physical foul forcing a Union player to the ground. Union did not back down, they went into attack mode. Two more seniors were playing in their 93rd career games – Cam Mullen and Maddux DeWinter. Mullen squared up in the corner right in front of the Union bench and drained a 3-pointer. It was DeWinter’s turn, and he went into attack mode. Two strong drives right down the heart of the Grundy Center defense sent a message – Union would not be backing down. The Union lead was 57-55. Spence, now defending Grundy Center’s best player, shut him down. The Knights kept attacking offensively. Tate Van Dyke pushed in, drawing another physical foul. After making the first free throw, a missed second free throw led to a Knights offensive rebound and putback by Winnike before taking a shot to the face.

The Knights were up 61-55, but after consecutive trips to the line the Spartans pulled within three. With 1:33 to go and a 65-62 lead, it was Winnike’s moment. Assistant Coach Brian Jesse describes Winnike as “a player who brings the same effort every night whether he plays 8-minutes or 18-minutes. He’s a great teammate!” Not just a great teammate, but a clutch player. Winnike was left wide open in the corner right in front of the Union student section. He sank it and extended the Knights lead to 68-62.

PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Winnike and Spence forced another Spartan turnover. The Spartans had no choice, they had to foul and hope the Knights would miss their free throws. As they showed all night, the Knights would not be intimidated. They were too experienced to leave an opening. Cam Mullen was unfazed. He went 4-for-4 from the line and ultimately cemented the Union victory, 74-65.

The Knights (19-3) are next set to play Sumner-Fredericksburg (7-15) tonight, Thursday, Feb. 19, in a Class 2A District 6 second round playoff. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in La Porte City.