Logan Sanford
LIBERTY, Ind. – The Union County boys basketball team could have played any team on Saturday night as it really didn’t matter what team was on the other bench after Friday’s loss at Class 2A No. 4 Shenandoah.
“We brought them in a had a lengthy film session,” Union County Head Coach Mark Detweiler said. “We felt like we self-imploded (against Shenandoah) in the second half.”
“It was about us tonight,” Detweiler added. “We gave them very little of Eastern Hancock’s personnel as far as a scouting report. We locked into some things on the defensive end and playing with more energy.”
It worked as the Patriots defeated Eastern Hancock 48-41 to put their record at 8-5.
“We talk a lot about starts and we got the 8-0 lead,” Detweiler said.
Logan Sanford hit a pair of 3-pointers and Cameron Donovan added another basket as the Patriots led by eight with 4:31 remaining in the opening period.
Dillon Miller
Unfortunately for the Patriots, that advantage wouldn’t last as the Royals tied the contest at 11-11 at the 5:58 mark of the second quarter.
However after that score by Eastern Hancock, Union County’s defense took control.
“Our focus was trying to limit our opponent’s easy baskets,” Detweiler said.
Not only did the Patriot eliminate the easy baskets for Eastern Hancock, the Royals didn’t score again until there was 5:16 on the clock in the third stanza.
“It was a good way to start the second half,” Detweiler said of the 16-point run.
By that time in the contest, Union County had built a 27-11 lead. After three quarters, the Patriots were on top 32-17.
“We knew they could get going and they did,” Detweiler said of the Royals (3-8). “We got a lit bit sloppy with our passing.”
As a result, Eastern Hancock was able to cut its deficit to 38-32 with 2:19 left to play.
“It was our first double weekend,” Detweiler said. “There wasn’t much left in our tank, but we’re getting some good stuff from a lot of guys.”
The Patriots did have enough to hold on for third win in the last four games.
Sanford led Union County with 21 points, while Dillon Miller finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
In the JV contest, Eastern Hancock won 55-38. Denton Shepler led the Patriots with 17 points.
Union County welcomes Tri to Liberty next Friday for a Tri-Eastern Conference contest.
Box Score
EASTERN HANCOCK (3-8) – Ryan Speas 1 0-0 3, Addison True 4 7-8 15, A.J. Muegee 5 0-0 13, Duncan Cherry 1 1-1 3, Tom Barton 3 0-0 7, Tyler Blattner 0 0-0 0, Jacob Eischen 0 0-0 0, Jordan Stillinger 0 0-0 0, Jarrett Lewis 0 0-0 0. Team – 14 8-9 41.
UNION COUNTY (8-5) – Preston Scott 0 3-4 3, Breyden Wicker 2 2-2 7, Cameron Donovan 1 0-1 2, Logan Sanford 6 6-6 21, Dillon Miller 4 1-4 11, Mason Miller 2 0-0 4, Nevada Lakes 0 0-0 0, Jamison Walters 0 0-0 0, Haidyn Lathery 0 0-0 0. Team – 15 12-17 48.
Eastern Hancock 7 11 17 41
Union County 8 18 32 48
3-pointers – Eastern Hancock 4 (Muegee 3, Barton 1), Union County 6 (Sanford 3, D. Miller 2, Wicker 1). Rebounds – Eastern Hancock 20 (True 5), Union County 26 (D. Miller 7). Turnovers – Eastern Hancock 11, Union County 13. Fouls – Eastern Hancock 22, Union County 12.