Prairie girls back into form vs. Union

So this is what it looks like when the Prairie girls basketball team is making its shots.

We know what it looks when the Falcons play strong defense, too.

Prairie (2-1) handed Union (4-1) its first loss of the season, connecting on 14 3-pointers in a 70-54 victory at Prairie High School.

Macey Hsu was 5 of 8 from 3-point range and led Prairie with 17 points. Grace Prom added 16 points, and Natalie Whitesel, 3-for-4 from 3-point range, finished with 12 points. Cherita Daugherty had six points, six assists, four steals, and two blocked shots before leaving the game with an injury.

The Falcons finished 27 of 55 from the floor, their first game since Friday when they lost to Camas by a point and shot less than 20 percent.

“We worked a lot harder because we were all frustrated with ourselves as a team,” Hsu said.

She said everything clicked Wednesday, almost from the beginning of the game.

“It’s starts with our energy. Our bench was energetic tonight, and our whole team got pumped up,” Hsu said. “Then our shots were falling.”

Hsu made three 3-pointers in the first half, including two in a 12-0 Prairie run that gave the Falcons a seven-point lead — an advantage they would not lose.

Prom went 7 for 12 from the floor.

“We came out a lot stronger. We wanted to show everyone we can play,” Prom said. “We had a rough game (Friday). That’s out of our way now.”

Abby Forsyth scored 15 points to lead Union. She was 9 of 10 from the free throw line. The Titans made 21 of 25 from the stripe.

Sarah Trostle was 3 for 5 from 3-point range and added 13 points for Union.

The Prairie defense was too tough for Union, though, recording 17 steals.

Prom said the Falcons are not close to their peak on defense, which will just help getting layups on the other side of the court.

“We need to make some adjustments with our traps. Once we make our adjustments, our offense will be even better,” Prom said.

Prairie coach Brett Johnson said the improvement made since Friday had to do with flying around on defense, and being patient on offense.

“Move the ball, move the ball, and then shoot,” he said.

It worked Wednesday for the Falcons.

PRAIRIE 70, UNION 54

UNION — Laura Beard 0, Mailia Aguigui 8, Michelle Chin 4, Rebekah Barney 0, Avery Hoyt 5, Emily Takayoshi 1, Samantha Lewis 0, Kili Anderson 2, Abby Forsyth 15, Sarah Trostle 13, McKenzie English 0, Courtney Cranston 6. Totals 15-44 (3-14) 21-25 54.

PRAIRIE — Sarina Martinez 3, Dejah Gobert 3, Cassidy Gardner 5, Kris Rocci 2, Jozie Tangeman 0, Mallory Williams 6, Grace prom 16, Macey Hsu 17, Cherita Daugherty 6, Natalie Whitesel 12, Lauren Vreeken 0. Totals 27-55 (14-38) 2-4 70.

Union 15 11 12 16–54

Prairie 10 24 16 20–70

JV — Prairie won. C — Union won.