Union freshman Paige Pipho (left) works to stop South Tama County’s Cahysia Kapayou as she drives to the basket on Monday, Dec. 8, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY STEVE BRANDT/TAMA-TOLEDO NEWS CHRONICLE

Union basketball played two games last week amid the winter weather cancellation chaos, including at home against South Tama on Monday, Dec. 8, followed by Sumner-Fredericksburg on the road Friday in a rescheduled game from Thursday evening.

The lady Knights dropped Monday’s non-conference game against South Tama County (2-1), falling to the Trojans 38-20. Tama-Grundy Publishing correspondent Steve Brant described the STC defense as “stifling” causing “several turnovers by the Knights.” The Trojans outscored Union 17-11 in the second half to solidify the victory. Freshman Paige Pipho led the Knights’ scoring with five points, followed by junior Taylen Smith, senior Addie Pospisil, and sophomore Ellie Pospisil (off the bench) with four points apiece. Senior Reagan Glenn led on the boards with nine rebounds.

Three nights later, Union’s girls suffered a heartbreaking loss to Sumner-Fredericksburg (1-3) — falling 56-52 to the Cougars after leading for much of the game. The Knights were in control 20-17 at the end of the first quarter and again at the half, 36-25. At the end of the third, Union was still leading, 47-44. In the final quarter, the Cougars outscored the Knights 12-5 to capture the win. Pipho again led her team, scoring 18 points for the Knights. Glenn added another 11 points plus seven rebounds to lead on the boards.

The Knights boys claimed victory twice last week, starting with a 72-37 trouncing of the STC Trojans (0-2) on Monday. Senior Tate Van Dyke led Union with 16 points, followed by senior Sawyer Spence with 10 points, seniors Maddux DeWinter and Caden Sorensen with nine points apiece, and senior Ethan Winnike off the bench with eight points. Spence and Sorensen led on the boards with seven rebounds apiece.

Against Sumner-Fredericksburg (0-5), Union boys (4-1) claimed a 82-51 conference victory on Friday in Sumner. Senior Cameron Mullen led the Knights with a whopping 29 points, followed by Sorensen with 20. Van Dyke notched a double-double for the Knights with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Ethan Winnike came off the bench to score 10 points.

Knights junior Taylen Smith (52) attempts to block Trojan Stella Zmolek on Dec. 8, at Union High School in La Porte City. Also pictured, Union senior Reagan Glenn (22). PHOTO BY STEVE BRANDT/TAMA-TOLEDO NEWS CHRONICLE

Both Knights teams were scheduled to host twice this week, including Columbus Catholic on Tuesday, Dec. 16, followed by AGWSR on Thursday in a rescheduled game from last week.

Tonight, Friday, Dec. 19, Union travels to Jesup to face the rival J-Hawks.