Both of Union’s basketball teams ended their season last week with playoff losses on the road.
The Lady Yellowjackets won their opening round game, beating St. Patrick 41-38 on a last-second shot before falling 62-50 to West Lincoln on Friday in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Yellowjackets traveled to Division 8-2A No. 1 seed St. Patrick and dropped a 32-28 decision to the Fighting Irish on Tuesday.
The Lady Yellowjackets finish the season with a 23-8 record.
Despite the loss, Union coach Matt Wilbanks was pleased with the progress the Lady Yellowjackets made this season.
“I am very proud of our season,” Union coach Matt Wilbanks said. “We accomplished every goal we set in the preseason except for one, the gold ball. The kids have bought in to my system, style, and attitude and it shows every game. We take pride in playing hard and gritty every single night. I’d take this group to war against anybody.”
West Lincoln girls 62, Union 50
The Lady Bears opened up a big lead in the first half and held on to take a 12-point win over the Lady Yellowjackets on Friday.
West Lincoln dominated early as they led 19-3 at the end of the first and 34-6 midway through the second period. But the Lady Yellowjackets got going and outscored West Lincoln 16-4 for the rest of the second and trailed 38-20 at the half. Union cut the lead to 10 at 42-32 but trailed 53-32 at the end of the third. Union outscored West Lincoln 18-8 in the fourth for the final margin.
Keirra Russell led Union with 16 points while Kamyia Russell had 10 points. Trinity Lambert had eight points while Taniqua Hunter added seven points.
Union girls 41, St. Patrick 38
The Lady Yellowjackets got a last-second shot from Kamyia Russell to take a three-point win over Lady Irish on Monday.
Each team scored six points in the first period and St. Patrick outscored Union 13-12 in the second to lead 19-18 at the half. St. Patrick outscored Union 10-8 in the third and led 29-26 going into the fourth. But Union outscored St. Patrick 15-9 in the fourth to take the win.
Keirra Russell led Union with 18 points while Kamyia Russell had 10 points.
St. Patrick boys 32, Union 28
The Yellowjackets struggled on the road and dropped a four-point contest to homestanding St. Patrick on Tuesday in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.
St. Patrick led 7-4 at the end of the first, but Union outscored the Irish 10-5 in the second and led 14-12 at the half. St. Patrick took the lead back in the third, outscoring Union 14-8 to lad 26-22 going to the fourth, where each team scored six points.
Union finished the season with a 20-8 record.
“I thought the boys played hard all year,” Union coach John Darnell said. “I’m proud of the boys. Back-to-back 20-win seasons is something they should be proud of. I’m just disappointed in how the season ended.”
J.T. Vance led Union with 13 points while Mark Jones had 12 points.
