Union County’s Cameron Donovan is guarded by Lincoln’s Cameron Gwin during the sectional on Feb. 27.
HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – A 17-point run in the third quarter by the Union County boys basketball team proved to be the difference on Tuesday as the Patriots defeated Lincoln 61-39 in the opener of the Class 2A Hagerstown Sectional.
“Our defensive effort was everything it needs to be,” Union County Head Coach Jesse Moses said. “If you are going to win a sectional, you’ve got to stop people.”
Union County had a 26-22 lead when the stretch of 17 straight points began with a basket by Cameron Donovan at the 6:21 mark.
“We were right there and playing great,” Lincoln Head Coach Rodney Klein said. “Then we had that three-minute lull and the game gets away from us.”
By the end of the third period, Union County was on top 43-27.
“We have a confident group of guys,” Moses said. “We know what’s coming for us Friday.”
On Friday at 6 p.m., the Patriots (18-6) face Hagerstown (15-7) in the sectional semifinals in a battle of Tri-Eastern Conference co-champions.
Centerville (11-12) meets Northeastern (14-10) in the other semifinal after the Knights beat Winchester 49-41 in Tuesday’s second contest. The winners square off in the finale on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Donovan posted a double-double for the Patriots with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“He’s a match-up problem for most teams,” Moses said. “He can take you on the perimeter or post.”
Preston Scott led the Patriots with 17 points as he hit five 3-pointers.
Mason Miller finished with 14 points and Trevor Reiboldt added 10 points.
Garrett Pumphrey and Caleb Craig led the Golden Eagles with 13 points each, while Cameron Gwin tossed in six points.
“We’ve got great kids and had a great year and a great run at the end,” Klein said of his squad that ended the year 11-12 as they won four of their last six.
Pumphrey added nine rebounds and eight blocks.
“Ryan Hensley and Derek Dearth did a fantastic job of guarding Pumphrey,” Moses said.