Union is electric in WPIAL 1A semifinal win over Carlynton

MCKEES ROCKS, Pennsylvania – In the middle of the fourth quarter of Union’s WPIAL 1A semifinal game against Carlynton on Saturday afternoon, the electricity went out inside Montour’s gym, causing the game to be delayed for close to half an hour.

The one component of the game that didn’t lose it’s electricity was Union’s fans, as they cheered its team on throughout the entire game. The support from the crowd and helped the Scotties defeat section rival Carlynton 80-58.

For Union, it was the third time this season that they defeated Carlynton. In the prior two meetings between both teams, Union had won both games by one possession.

At halftime, the Scotties were only up one point (33-32) and it looked like the ending of this game was going to be close once again.

However, Union started on a 6-0 run to begin the third quarter and never looked back. The Scotties outscored Carlynton 47-25 in the second half, hitting seven 3-pointers and converting every single one of its 14 free-throw attempts.

“Carlynton plays so hard, they’re fundamentally set up on defense,” Union coach Mark Stanley said. We can shoot it and if we can get it off the mark, I know we can score in bunches and that’s what we did today.”

Entering the game, Carlynton allowed only 41.5 points per game.

While Carlynton being eliminated from WPIAL playoff contention, they are still qualified for the PIAA tournament. So, if Union would have to face Carlynton at some point again this season, scoring a lot of points on them again might not be guaranteed.

“Carlynton’s defense is so good, we might see them again (in the PIAA playoffs), and it could be completely different than today,” coach Stanley said. “I got a ton of respect for them, but when we shoot the ball at times, it’s hard to stop us and we were able to knock them down today.”

Coach Stanley’s sons, Lucas and Matt, led the team in points with 26 and 22 points, respectively. After only scoring three points in the first half, Matt really gave Union a spark in the second half as he scored 19 points and was 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.

Seven players scored for Union in the game, and with everyone on the team contributing, players on the team such as Matt Stanley feel that their team is playing some of the best basketball of their season.

“We talk about it all year, we’re a deep team and at practice we’re pushing each other,” Matt Stanley said. “We could say that we have nine or ten starters. When the second group comes off the bench, they give us a spark and keep us energized.”

Carlynton was led by senior Chase Jones, who scored a game-high 27 points. The loss for the Cougars ended its five-game winning streak.

Union will play in the WPIAL 1A Boys Basketball Championship for the second straight year when they battle against Imani Christian on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.

Last year, Union lost to Bishop Canevin in the title game. The Scotties last won a WPIAL title in 2003.

“It’s never a guarantee to get back there and to go back there again, it feels great,” Matt Stanley said.

Imani Christian is led by 6-foot-11 center Alier Maluk and 6-foot-9 guard Virgil Hall.

“We definitely need to improve on our rebounding,” coach Stanley said. “We’re going to need to make sure we get bodies on them. Having Mark Stanley come back and playing a little bit today was good, and he gives us physicality. So, we definitely have to work on rebounding. But to Carlynton’s defense, I think they’re one of the best offensive rebounding teams that we have ever played against.”