Union guard Reagan Sorensen (14) attempts to work her way around a Jesup J-Hawks player during a full court press Friday night game in the Union High School gym. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The Union girls basketball team endured another loss 56-42 Friday night at home against the previously ranked (No. 13) Class 2A Jesup J-Hawks and are now 2-4 for the season ahead of their scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 21 game against Hudson.

Earlier in the week, the Knights lost on the road Dec. 13 to Sumner-Fredericksburg 55-14, while their Tuesday, Dec. 14 game at home against Class 2A No. 13 Aplington-Parkersburg was postponed due to the death of a Union high school student.

The Union High School gymnasium was rowdy and loud during Friday’s match-up with Jesup. The Union pep band -many of whom were sporting holiday costumes and adornments including Gabe Hanson in a Santa suit – did their best to keep the spirits of the crowd up while the girls continually trailed the J-Hawks.

Sophomore guard Reagan Sorensen was the offensive leader for the Knights, as she’s been much of the season, putting up 19 points with four of her 12 three-point attempts good.

Starting sophomore forward Brigitte Rohrer contributed 13 points while also being the Knights’ defensive leader with 8 rebounds out of a team total of 27.

Knights starting guard Lauren Youngblut (12) attempts a field goal during Union’s game with Jesup in La Porte City last Friday night. Youngblut was one for two in her field goal attempts against the J-Hawks. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Sophomore Ava Mills had five rebounds, while sophomore Lauren Youngblut snagged three rebounds.

Sophomore Sydney Schmuecker came off the bench to contribute two points, four assists, and two rebounds.

The J-Hawks employed a successful full court press on the Knights for much of the game – leading to many of Union’s 25 turnovers.

The Knights only game before the winter break was against Hudson on the road Tuesday, Dec. 21. Hudson was 2-6 heading into the scheduled match-up.

When the Knights return to play in January they will face the no. 13 Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons in the A-P High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Jan. 4 beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Lone Union Knights basketball cheerleader Ava Corpman calls out a cheer to the student section crowd during Friday night’s girls game against Jesup. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Union boys basketball

The Union boys basketball match-up with Jesup started out on a somber note Friday night following the girls game as a moment of silence was observed just ahead of tipoff in honor of head coach Corey Lorenzen’s father and starting guard Ty Lorenzen’s grandfather Rich Lorenzen who passed away earlier in the week.

Union – which now sits at a 4-2 record following their loss 70-59 to Jesup – received almost a dozen votes in last week’s Poll 2 of the 2021-2020 Iowa high school boys basketball rankings but it wasn’t enough to put them in the top 10.

The Knights dropped their game 63-55 on Dec. 13 to Sumner-Fredericksburg while their Dec. 14 game with the now No. 1 Aplington-Parkersburg was postponed until Jan. 4, 2022.

While the Knights’ offense was strong against the J-Hawks on Friday night, their offensive rebounding was left lacking leading to shot after shot being picked off by Jesup who racked up 45 rebounds – 26 of them on defense.

Union Knights’ junior starting guard Ty Lorenzen (1) attempts a field goal Friday night against the Jesup J-Hawks’ defense. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

The Knights are scheduled to play Hudson on the road Tuesday, Dec. 21. The Hudson Pirates were 1-5 heading into the scheduled match-up giving the Knights a good opportunity to improve their record ahead of their game with the No. 1 ranked A-P Falcons.

The Knights will face the Falcons on the road Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 beginning at 7:45 p.m. in Parkersburg.

Union’s Grant Behrens (13) attempts a field goal during Friday night’s game against the Jesup J-Hawks in the Knights gymnasium. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Union starting forward Danny Petersen (13) slides past the defense on his way toward the basket during last Friday’s game against Jesup in the Knights gym. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Union’s Grant Behrens (13) sinks a three-pointer during Friday night’s game against the Jesup J-Hawks in the Knights gymnasium. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Trombonist Gabe Hanson sports a Santa suit as he plays with the Union pep band between the girls and boys basketball games last Friday night in the Union High School gym. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Union vocal music instructor Casey Tecklenburg (center) plays the trombone with the Knights pep band between the girls and boys basketball games last Friday night in the Union High School gym. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Union instrumental music instructor Michael Bistline (center, red shirt) leads the Knights pep band while playing the trumpet between the girls and boys basketball games last Friday night in the Union High School gym. Union vocal music instructor Casey Tecklenburg is also pictured to the left of Bistline on the trumpet. Members of the pep band – many dressed in holiday attire including three returning Union alumni – gave it their all to pump up the crowd throughout both the girls and boys games. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker