Bolstered by its home crowd, the Union boys basketball team handed Skyview its first loss of the season, 72-69 on Tuesday, to force a tie in the 4A Greater St. Helens League standings.
Union (13-4, 4-1 4A GSHL) sought revenge after a narrow defeat at the hands of the Storm (17-1, 5-1) in their last meeting and, despite Skyview starting the game hitting its first eight shots from the field, Union led by one to close out the first quarter.
Alex Schumacher torched the Titans in the second quarter and pushed the Storm lead to seven at the half. Schumacher scored 19 of his 23 points in the first half.
Led by Jason Franklin Jr.’s outside shooting, Union scored 28 points in the third quarter and regained the lead.
Franklin scored all 14 of his points in the final two periods.
“I’m in the spot where my teammates drive and they can find an open man and I’m just there and hit the open shot,” Franklin said.
He drained the go-ahead three-point attempt with under a minute left that ended up being the difference.
With defense being the main focus of the halftime conversation, Union held Skyview to just two field goals in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Schumacher was fouled on a three-point attempt with under a minute remaining and missed a free throw that would have tied the game. In their final possession, the Storm had several opportunities to force overtime but missed all three of their 3-point attempts.
The Titans had five players in double figures led by Tyler Combs and Zach Reznick with 15 apiece. Ethan Smith added 11 off the bench and solid defense around the arc.
Credit is due to the Titans finishing at the free-throw line. Union shot 80 percent, while Skyview hovered around 61 percent.
In a close, stressful match throughout, Franklin Jr. summed up the evening simply: “We played our game, we just played hard. We wanted to win more.”
UNION 72, SKYVIEW 69
SKYVIEW — Alex Schumacher 23, Cole Grossman 12, Jovon Sewell 13, Samaad Hector 10, Jacoby Thompson 0, Sean Boss 0, Squeeky Johnson 0, Lowell Dunmire 1, Chris Webster 0, KB Fesehazion 5, Kyle Gruhler 5, Jace Chatman 0. Totals 23-41 (9) 14-23 69.
UNION — Coby Weatherspoon 0, Houston Combs 0, Zach Reznick 15, Tyler Combs 15, Quinn Lamey 11, Dustin Nettles 0, Alishawuan Taylor 6, Ethan Smith 11, Aiden Nellor 0, Brad Lackey 0, Jason Franklin 14, Josh Reznick 0. Totals 25-49 (10) 12-15 72.
Skyview 20 17 20 12–69
Union 21 9 28 14–72
