Union City’s Justiss Cantu.
UNION CITY, Ind. – The squad may be composed of many different faces, but the goals remain the same for the Union City girls basketball team.
“This year is definitely different having graduated over 50 percent of our scoring from last year,” Union City Head Coach Sarah Black said. “We hope to continue to be successful again this year regardless.”
Justiss Cantu is the lone starter back from last year’s 24-5 Class 1A state runner-up squad, which also claimed the Tri-Eastern Conference title.
“Our personnel is much different than last year, especially when it comes to size,” Black said. “We are a much smaller group and will be relying on the transition and fast break game more so than before.”
Cantu, an all-conference performer, averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 steals per contest as a junior last season.
Seniors Ellie Kerns and Kahlee Dowler along with sophomore Mackenzie Green return after contributing valuable minutes last season.
Kelsie Burton is another senior on the varsity, while the remaining juniors are Sophia Spence and Mya Carpenter. Maddy Cox and Luzy Corona are sophomores.
“Overall, we have been happy with what we have seen in the preseason,” Black said. “It’s a regrouping year for us as we were highly successful last year, but must find new ways to win this year.”
“We know there are some very strong teams in our county and our conference that we will have to beat or compete with in order to be successful,” Black added.
The Indians open the season on Saturday with a home contest against Southern Wells. Union City’s first TEC game is also at home against Northeastern on Friday, Nov. 17.