Forward Regan Sorensen sets up for a field goal attempt against the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings in the Knights’ season opener last Monday, Nov. 29 in Vinton. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

With a roster composed entirely of freshmen and sophomores, the Union girls basketball team’s 2021-2022 season certainly looks to be another building year for the Knights after ending the 2020-2021 season 4-17.

Last Monday, Nov. 29, the Knights experienced a rough season-opening loss 70-17 to Class 3A No. 11 Vinton-Shellsburg on the road.

Loss aside, Union showed some scrappy promise in V-S’s Garrison Fieldhouse – particularly from a trio of sophomores including forward Reagan Sorensen, guard Lauren Youngblut, and center Brigitte Rohrer.

Rohrer led the Knights with seven points – three field goals and one free throw – and seven rebounds.

Sorensen scored six points – including the Knights’ only three-pointer – and brought down two rebounds to go along with two steals. Youngblut totaled two points and two rebounds.

Union’s Ava Mills looks to pass against Vinton-Shellsburg in the Garrison Fieldhouse in Vinton during the Knights season opener which they dropped to V-S, 70-17. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Starting forward Ava Mills contributed six rebounds and one steal.

Rounding out the starting five, sophomore center Dena Robb was good for one rebound and a single block.

Sophomore center Sydney Schmuecker came off the bench to score two points, along with three rebounds, and a block.

The young Knights team turned the ball over 23 times during the game which gave the Vikings plenty of opportunities to drive the score up as high as they did Monday night.

The girls were on the road again the following evening against BCLUW where they lost by a single point to the Comets after managing to stay ahead through the first half of the game.

Starting guard Lauren Youngblut (13) works to keep the ball away from a couple of V-S Vikings last Monday, Nov. 29 during Union’s opening game on the road in Vinton. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

The score was tied 26-26 at the end of the third quarter, but the Comets ultimately eked out a win to beat the Knights 39-38.

Union rounded out their debut week – and found their first win 53-45 – on Friday, Dec. 3 at home against East Marshall.

The Knights stubbornly trailed the Mustangs through the first three quarters. The fourth quarter began with East Marshall still up, 39-34, but Union turned it around and is now 1-2 heading into their game on the road against Oelwein (1-2) which was set for Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Three Knights players scored in double figures against the Mustangs, led by Mills who scored 16 and was 4-for-8 from the three point line.

When it was all said and done Rohrer ended the evening with a double-double, scoring 12 points and bringing down 13 rebounds to lead the Knights on the boards.

Regan Sorensen shoots for three against Vinton-Shellsburg in the Knights’ season opener last Monday, Nov. 29 in Vinton. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Elsewhere along the lineup, Sorensen put in 12 points and Robb contributed eight along with a team-high four blocks.

Next week Union is at home versus Aplington-Parkersburg on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Tipoff is set for 6:15 p.m. with the boys game scheduled to follow.

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Photo by Soren M. Peterson