Knights starting guard and offensive leader for the evening Ty Lorenzen (1) looks for an opportunity to pass against the previously No. 1 ranked Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons on Jan. 4 in Parkersburg. The Knights lost to the powerhouse Falcon team 93-33. Photo courtesy Chris Behrens

Following the winter break, Union boys basketball made the windy, icy trek north to Parkersburg on Tuesday, Jan. 4 for a matchup with the powerhouse Class 2A Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons – but despite giving it their best shot, the Knights succumbed to the Falcons 93-33.

Going into the Jan. 4 game, the Falcons had been ranked as high as No. 1 in Class 2A (Dec. 13 poll) – before dropping down to No. 5 in the Iowa High School Basketball AP Poll released just ahead of winter break.

The Falcons have only lost one game this season – to Minnesota’s Calendonia Warriors in a “cross border” game played at Luther College on Dec. 18.

The Knights were 5-2 heading into the game with the Falcons and possibly just a bit more than apprehensive due to the wake A-P has created this year – consistently beating teams by 30, 40, 50 or more points and pushing the scoreboard dangerously close to triple digits in the process.

Union guards Ty Lorenzen and TJ Freeland led the offense for the Knights as best they could – each put up three field goals apiece while Freeland also sunk two 3-pointers.

Grant Behrens (13) releases a free throw shot during the Jan. 4 road game against No. 3 Aplington-Parkersburg (Tuesday, Jan. 11 AP Poll). Photo courtesy Chris Behrens

Grant Behrens, Landon Brustkern, and Tyler Clapp rounded out the Knights offense with one field goal apiece.

Behrens was the free throw leader against the Falcons making four of five attempts, while Danny Petersen and Jackson Slater each made two free throw attempts. Freeland made one free throw.

The Knights rebounded 26 times as a team – 22 of those on defense – while the Falcons rebounded 37 times and stole the ball from the Knights 19 times.

The Knights made a concerted effort against the Falcons early in the game – during the first quarter they managed to keep the play fairly even, ending down by just three points. But the scoreboard was lopsided for the rest of the night with the Falcons up 49-20 at the half, 79-24 at the third, and finally 93-33 at the end of the fourth.

On Jan. 7, Union faced Wapsie Valley in another road game, losing to the Warriors 49-61.

After one more road game – against Grundy Center (7-3) on Monday, Jan. 10 – the Knights are home the rest of the week and will be itching for a win, playing AGWSR (3-6) on Tuesday and then Dike-New Hartford (2-7) on Friday, Jan. 14 beginning at 7:45 p.m.