Union freshman Reagan Glenn (32) attempts a field goal against the Wapsie Valley Warriors in La Porte City last Friday night. Glenn, a freshman starter, contributed two points, six rebounds, a steal, and a block against the Warriors. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Both the Union girls and boys basketball teams dropped games to Wapsie Valley in La Porte City last Friday evening with each Knights team watching early leads dissipate due to strong second half performances by the Warriors.

Union girls

The Union girls (2-8) began their home court matchup on a firm footing, taking an early lead, 15-8, in the first quarter, and ending the second quarter also ahead, 21-12. Led by starters Reagan Sorensen, Ava Mills, Addie Pospisil, Reagan Glenn, and Brigitte Rohrer, the Knights were up by as much as 10 points at one point in the second quarter.

The Warriors seemingly awakened in the second half, however, scoring more points in the third quarter (24) than Union did the entire first half. By the end of the third, the Knights were trailing, 36-27 – and becoming visibly frustrated in the process.

Despite Union rallying considerably in the fourth – putting up 10 points to Wapsie Valley’s 11 – it wasn’t enough to overcome the Warrior’s third quarter revival. The Knights lost, 47-37.

Union junior Reagan Sorensen (14) determinedly drives her way to the basket past Warriors’ defender Peyton Curley (15) last Friday night in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Junior forward Sorensen led the offense for the Knights with six field goals, two 3-pointers, and two assists. Rohrer contributed four field goals and a free throw plus four rebounds.

On defense, junior Mills led the charge with 11 rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while her freshman teammate Glenn notched six rebounds, one steal – snatched during a full court press in the final minutes of the game, and a block.

After facing Grundy Center on Monday and AGWSR on Tuesday this week, the Knights were set to play Dike-New Hartford on the road Friday, followed by a repeat matchup with Wapsie Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Readlyn. Tip-off is set for 6:15 p.m. at Wapsie Valley High School.

Union boys

The Union boys (5-6) followed a similar but much more abbreviated path as the girls against Wapsie Valley on Friday night, taking a very early, hopeful lead in the first quarter before watching it quickly wash away due to a strong Warriors’ performance. Wapsie Valley led Union all four quarters, eventually overwhelming the Knights, 75-57.

Knight freshman Brynn Albertsen (22) looks to pass the ball Friday, Jan. 6, against the Wapsie Valley Warriors in the second half. The Knights lost to the Warriors, 47-37, in the wake of a strong lead in the first half. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Freshman guard Caden Sorensen led the offense for the Knights with five field goals, two 3-pointers, two free throws, and seven assists, while on defense, junior Jackson Anderson took the helm with seven rebounds and two steals.

The Union boys are also set to face both Grundy Center in a road game and AGWSR at home this week, followed by Dike-New Hartford on Friday and Wapsie Valley again on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Tip-off with the Warriors is set for 7:45 p.m. at Wapsie Valley High School.

The Union pep band performs between basketball games on Friday, Jan. 6 in La Porte City at Union High School. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER