Grant Young’s Union basketball debut was a successful one Monday night.
Young’s Lady ’Cats opened the season with a 60-40 win at Warrenton to open the season.
“All coaches love getting that first game out of the way to see what areas need to be worked on,” Young said. “We had a great first quarter tempo going up 19-9 after the first. We got really great looks but struggled hitting some shots early. First game jitters and a whole new style can contribute to that. We will get use to the fast pace style through experience during the season.”
Young, a Union native, has taken over as head coach of the Lady ’Cats this season after a successful career which has included girls district titles at Wheatland, Neosho and Purdy, a boys district title at Wheatland and a Class 2 state title at Purdy.
Union led 19-9 after one quarter and 30-16 at the intermission. Union held a 48-23 lead after three quarters.
Senior Rachael Bassett posted a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. She was 7-8 from the free-throw line.
“Rachael did a great job in the post,” Young said. “She was a good rim runner in transition getting easy baskets and was in beast mode rebounding pulling down 14 boards. Her strength inside as a post will open up our guards for good looks during the season.”
Two other Union players also hit double digits in the contest.
Sophomore Bethany Coons scored 14 points and four steals while senior Abbie Brack ended with 11 points.
Five other Union players scored in the game. Senior Jill Johnston scored five points while senior Whitney Vitt added five points and 13 rebounds.
Junior Megan Altemueller scored three points and juniors Anna Houston and Maddy Weinhold each had two points.
Kylie Toebben led Warrenton with 11 points while Hannah Sutton scored 10, Hanna Keene netted eight, Madie Heath and Stacey Hemminghaus each scored four and Tyler Gregory ended with three points.
