BOYS BB: (1A) Eastside 71 (2A) Union 64 - FINAL
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Spartans fight off the Bears
Eastside ran its winning streak to six games, fighting off a strong challenge by the Union Bears to take a 71-64 non-district win.
It definitely wasn’t an easy victory as Union put together a huge fourth-quarter comeback that fell just short.
“That was an excellent game for Eastside, we got better in this game,” said Eastside coach Patrick Damron. “We didn’t handle the pressure. Union played very desperate. When they started hitting shots they started playing inspired and we looked frantic and back on our heels.”
Eastside dominated early and built a 35-22 halftime lead.
“Luckily for us we were able to get a big lead and that helped us,” Damron said. “I felt we got Union’s best shot and were still able to get a win, that’s a plus for us. That’s why we’re playing Union.”
In the third quarter, it seemed the marquee matchup might turn into a laugher. The Spartans kept adding to their lead using speed, quickness and most of all, depth. They were up 55-36 entering the fourth quarter.
“We tried to utilize our bench and get the pace of the game to where it was comfortable for us,” Damron said. “We tried to wear Union down. With a lot of fouls called in the second half, it took away our ability to keep the pressure on.
“[Virginia Tech football signee] James Mitchell [of Union] played a really good second half. He stepped up and hit some tough shots. When he plays like that, he’s a load, he’s hard to handle.”
Mitchell, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, attacked the basket and also did a great job of getting those around him involved.
After scoring 38 points through the first three quarters, Union (7-5) put 28 on the scoreboard the final eight minutes. After Alex Rasnick was fouled shooting a 3, he made all three foul shots and the double-digit Eastside lead was down to 65-62 with 1:55 left on the clock.
“You can’t let a team get up 19 points, especially a really good team like Eastside,” said Union coach Zack Moore. “I thought we played soft the first three quarters. We were soft going after rebounds, soft going after loose balls, and Eastside outhustled and outplayed us.
“I challenged my team at halftime and it didn’t really click until the fourth quarter and we got after them. We created some offense with our defense and that’s what we have to do.”
With the lead down to three points, the Spartans kept their poise. They didn’t have another field goal, but they made enough free throws down the stretch to put it away.
“We didn’t make all our free throws, but we made enough to win the game,” Damron said. “I can’t say it enough; this was a good game for us. We needed a game like this.”
Luke Lawson paced Eastside (11-3) with 17 points and seven rebounds. Ethan Powers and Colyn Sturgill contributed 15 points each, while Seth Boles scored 10 points.
Austin Gibson and Noah Garrison added 11 points each for Union
- Anthony Stevens | Sports Correspondent
- 9 hrs ago
Eastside ran its winning streak to six games, fighting off a strong challenge by the Union Bears to take a 71-64 non-district win.
It definitely wasn’t an easy victory as Union put together a huge fourth-quarter comeback that fell just short.
“That was an excellent game for Eastside, we got better in this game,” said Eastside coach Patrick Damron. “We didn’t handle the pressure. Union played very desperate. When they started hitting shots they started playing inspired and we looked frantic and back on our heels.”
Eastside dominated early and built a 35-22 halftime lead.
“Luckily for us we were able to get a big lead and that helped us,” Damron said. “I felt we got Union’s best shot and were still able to get a win, that’s a plus for us. That’s why we’re playing Union.”
In the third quarter, it seemed the marquee matchup might turn into a laugher. The Spartans kept adding to their lead using speed, quickness and most of all, depth. They were up 55-36 entering the fourth quarter.
“We tried to utilize our bench and get the pace of the game to where it was comfortable for us,” Damron said. “We tried to wear Union down. With a lot of fouls called in the second half, it took away our ability to keep the pressure on.
“[Virginia Tech football signee] James Mitchell [of Union] played a really good second half. He stepped up and hit some tough shots. When he plays like that, he’s a load, he’s hard to handle.”
Mitchell, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, attacked the basket and also did a great job of getting those around him involved.
After scoring 38 points through the first three quarters, Union (7-5) put 28 on the scoreboard the final eight minutes. After Alex Rasnick was fouled shooting a 3, he made all three foul shots and the double-digit Eastside lead was down to 65-62 with 1:55 left on the clock.
“You can’t let a team get up 19 points, especially a really good team like Eastside,” said Union coach Zack Moore. “I thought we played soft the first three quarters. We were soft going after rebounds, soft going after loose balls, and Eastside outhustled and outplayed us.
“I challenged my team at halftime and it didn’t really click until the fourth quarter and we got after them. We created some offense with our defense and that’s what we have to do.”
With the lead down to three points, the Spartans kept their poise. They didn’t have another field goal, but they made enough free throws down the stretch to put it away.
“We didn’t make all our free throws, but we made enough to win the game,” Damron said. “I can’t say it enough; this was a good game for us. We needed a game like this.”
Luke Lawson paced Eastside (11-3) with 17 points and seven rebounds. Ethan Powers and Colyn Sturgill contributed 15 points each, while Seth Boles scored 10 points.
Austin Gibson and Noah Garrison added 11 points each for Union
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