UNIONTOWN – In a tight game, a team cannot blink.
Uniontown High’s Eagles blinked at home Friday night. It came at the worst time – in a substate semifinal game.
The Eagles and Northeast High Vikings were in a close contest from the start. It was tied 9-9 after one and the Vikings of Arma were up 17-16 at the break.
Then came the blink.
Northeast used a 14-5 third-quarter surge to get the edge. The Eagles came back but the rally fell short, 41-38.
“Tonight was a tough loss to take. I’m really going to miss these seniors and am very proud of all the success they had this season,” said Nathan Hinrichs, Eagle head coach said.
Uniontown’s boys finish at 16-5, one of the best seasons by an Eagle team since 1990.
It was junior Brenton Esslinger that led the Eagles with 13 points. Senior Zach Travis added 10 points.
Other seniors on the team are Robert Kuns, Seth Sympson, Max Labbe, Domonic Robinson and Jonathan Ulrey.
Northeast was placed by J.T. Richardson with 13 points. Chase Cleland scored 11 and Jon Baker had 10 points.
Northeast (18-4) plays top-seeded Madison (19-3) in tonight’s Kansas Class 2A Substate Basketball Tournament championship game. Uniontown is hosting the tournament.
Madison beat Sedan 75-44 in Friday’s other semifinal.
Uniontown boys lose 2A substate semifinal game
