By Bill Battle
Missourian Sports Editor
Union earned its second boys basketball victory of the season Friday night at Bourbon, 52-39.
“I really liked our offensive patience,” Union Head Coach Christopher Simmons said. “We moved the ball around against their zone and got the ball to the places we needed to get it. We still have a lot of work to do when it comes to controlling the boards as that is how an undersized Bourbon team stayed in the game.”
The Wildcats (2-4) host Pacific Tuesday in their Four Rivers Conference opener. Junior varsity action begins at 6 p.m.
“Tuesday night is huge for us,” Simmons said. “We have been improving and now it is time to put it all together for four quarters. Coach (John) VanLeer is a great coach and will have his team prepared and ready to play at a high level.”
Simmons said Pacific has an outstanding player in Cullen VanLeer.
“Cullen is a special player and they have some nice players around him so it will be a tough game,” Simmons said. We will be ready to go Tuesday night and I really believe it is going to be a fun game to be a part of and for the fans to watch.”
Bourbon
Union came out to edge Bourbon through one quarter, 11-10.
The Wildcats added a little to the lead to hold a 24-18 advantage at the intermission. It was 36-24 after three quarters.
Nick Ziegler led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points. He went 6-7 from the free-throw line while adding four rebounds and an assist.
As a team, Union had a successful night at the free-throw line, hitting 12 of 15 attempts.
Brandon Ford recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. He also had six blocked shots, one assist and a steal.
“Brandon Ford can be one of the best rebounders in the conference if he boxes out rather than just reaching for it,” Simmons said. “We really need for him to box out and control the boards, especially defensively.”
Dylan Small was next in the scoring column with six points, three rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot and a steal.
Blake Hulsey scored five points with two steals and a rebound.
TJ Vitt ended with five points, three assists, three rebounds and a steal.
Brian Borgmann scored four points with four rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.
Ashton Dehn ended with four points, two assists, two rebounds and a steal.
Kory Lucas scored two points while adding two rebounds.
Also playing were Tanner Bunch, Kevin Curran (one rebound), Drew Heyer and Emmet Parker.
