On the schedule, at least, it’s been a tough start to the season for the Union girls basketball team.
“We play Glacier Peak later this week, Bellarmine Prep next week,” coach Gary Mills said. “We want to play good teams and see where we measure up.”
So far, it’s been the opposition that is having trouble measuring up to the Titans.
After posting solid wins over Kentwood and Prairie, the Union girls hit 13 3-pointers – eight from senior guard Mason Oberg – to cruise past Hudson’s Bay 76-38 on Monday night at Union.
“Everybody was looking for me, which was really awesome,” Oberg said. “And if I wasn’t open, I was going to kick right back. It was awesome that my teammates can hit me when I’m open, and luckily tonight I was hitting my shots.”
After battling to a 15-11 lead after one quarter, the Titans turned it on in the second quarter.
They started by going inside. Post Sarah Litchford scored six points in the paint in the quarter as the Titans stretched their lead to 25-16.
Then Oberg capped the quarter with three straight 3-pointers, turning her last one into a four-point play that gave Union a 40-16 halftime lead.
“Our ball rotation on offense has been good,” said Oberg, who finished with a game-high 27 points. “We share the ball really well, and we hit the open player.”
Litchford finished with 10 points, and Lexi Raymore added 11. Lolo Weatherspoon also scored 11 points and played stellar defense on Bay’s Jaydia Martin as the Titans put their depth on display.
“I think everyone has bought into their roles,” Mills said. “And when they’re number is called, they are ready to do what they’re asked to do.”
Paytin Ballard had 13 points to lead the Eagles, and Kamelai Powell added 11. Bay is still without their third standout player Aniyah Hampton.
“Hudson’s Bay is going to be a good team by the end of the season,” Mills said. “They’re not healthy right now.”
But the Titans are off to a healthy start, improving to 4-0 as the margins of victory keep growing (9, 14, 29 and 38).
“We have a pretty deep bench,” Oberg said. “It’s really exciting that we can put someone in, and they can keep the ball rolling.”
UNION 76, HUDSON’S BAY 38
HUDSON’S BAY (2-1) — Mae Carse 0, Paytin Ballard 13, Devon Johnson-Brown 4, Maria Arroyo 0, Jaydia Martin 8, Ashley Rodriguez 0, Kamelai Powell 11, Staci Mikaele 2. Totals 12 (1) 13-19 38.
UNION (4-0) — Lexi Raymore 11, Natalie Paulson 3, Olivia Euverman 2, Mason Oberg 27, Lolo Weatherspoon 11, Sydney Cowling 0, Abbey Kaip 3, Kaneyl Carpenter 0, Caitlyn Leake 0, Mackenzie Lewis 5, Sarah Litchford 10, Ariel Ammentorp 4. Totals 27 (13) 9-10 76.
Bay 11 5 8 14–38
Union 15 25 12 24–76
