LIBERTY, Ind. – The Union City girls basketball team scored the first seven points on Friday as the Indians went on to defeat Union County 61-31 in Tri-Eastern Conference action.
“We told the girls when we came out that we’ve got to be focused and ready to go,” Union City coach Sarah Black said. “That’s huge for us.”
“That’s one of the things we need to work on every game,” Black added. “Our defense helps us pick up our intensity a lot and we were able to get off to a quick start offensively.”
The Indians led 19-10 after the first quarter and added to their advantage to go on top 36-20 by halftime.
“Baylee Hartman just played a great game for us,” Black said. “She really stepped up and had a double-double.”
Hartman led the Indians with 19 points and 18 rebounds, while Courtney Wise finished with 18 points.
“We had three in double digits and that’s always a goal for us,” Black said. “We want to be a diverse team that doesn’t have just one or two players to focus on.”
Justiss Cantu contributed 13 points and handed out eight assists. Cantu became Union City’s all-time leader in assists with 258 as she passed the old mark of 256 that was set by Jill Threewits. Cantu also holds the game (14) and season marks (133).
Sierra Dowler led the Patriots with seven points and Tara Willams tossed in six.
“We’re young and on so many levels inexperienced,” Union County coach Scott Gray said. “We keep teaching every day. Every game is a brand new experience.”
Kyla Miller topped Union County with six rebounds.
“We will get better,” Gray said. “I don’t know when that will come. We’ve got a lot of growing up to do.”
Union County won the JV game 31-20 with Zoe Murphy scoring eight points. For the Indians, Maddy Cox led the way with seven points.
Union County (1-6, 0-1) is back in action on Wednesday at Connersville. The Indians (5-1, 2-0) travel to Richmond next Saturday.
Box Score
UNION CITY (5-1, 2-0) – Justiss Cantu 6 0-1 13, Kora Kerns 2 0-0 6, Courtney Wise 9 0-0 18, Kelsey Zimmers 2 0-0 5, Baylee Hartman 9 1-4 19, Kahlee Dowler 0 0-0 0, Ellie Kerns 0 0-0 0, Sophia Spence 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Green 0 0-0 0, Reagan Hoggatt 0 0-0 0, Emalee Bocanegra 0 0-0 0. Team – 28 1-5 61.
UNION COUNTY (1-6, 0-1) – Sierra Dowler 2 1-2 7, Taylor Pinkerton 1 1-2 3, Tara Williams 2 1-4 6, Brooklyn Wilson 2 0-0 4, Rainey Shepler 1 2-2 4, Fayth Hill 1 1-2 3, Kyla Miller 0 2-2 2, Zoe Murphy 0 0-0 0, Samantha Ramey 1 0-0 2. Team – 10 8-14 31.
Union City 19 36 51 61
Union County 10 20 24 31
3-pointers – Union City 4 (K. Kerns 2, Cantu, Zimmers), Union County 3 (Dowler 2, Williams). Rebounds – Union City 43 (Hartman 15), Union County 30 (Miller 6). Turnovers – Union City 11, Union County 20. Fouls – Union City 12, Union County 7. Fouled out – None. JV game – Union County 31, Union City 20.