The Lady Spartans hosted the Pender Patriots Friday in some intense basketball action. Remaining fairly close the entire game the Lady Spartans managed to pull out the win at the end, 38-33.

The first quarter started slowly with neither team making many shots. No one could clearly take the lead resulting in a 6-6 score at the end of the first.

The Lady Spartans came into the second quarter with a few adjustments and more momentum. This was enough for Union to gain the lead from the Lady Patriots and start to pull ahead by a few points, 19-15.

After the half, the Lady Patriots stepped up the intensity and started to close in on the Lady Spartans. Union hung on to the lead by a single basket, 27-25 at the end of the third.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Lady Patriots were playing hard to keep up with the Lady Spartans making it a close game. In the last few minutes, the Lady Spartans started to force many turnovers that allowed them to add some extra points onto the board to give them their 5 point lead over the Lady Patriots for the win, 38-33.

Destiny Robinson led the Lady Spartans with 12 points. Shamyra Hope contributed 10 points to the final score and Faith McKoy added 5.

Union head coach, Bryant Register was happy with the win but still saw some improvements that could be made. “This was such a big win for us. I’m very proud of the girls but we didn’t play well by any stretch of the imagination but as I told them in the locker room this is one that we gutted out tonight. They hung tough, fought hard, and were able to pull it out.”

Coach Register continued to reflect upon the team over the season. “This gives us win number six on the year and at the very worst, we’ll finish at least second place within the 1A portion of our split conference. I’m proud of the girls for that and getting better throughout every game and that’s all I can ask for,” he concluded.

The Lady Spartans travel to play East Bladen next Tuesday.

By Anna Moore

Sports Writer