Union and Hobbton met on the hardwood in a full slate of action on Tuesday night, with each program walking away with something to build on.
The Union junior varsity boys set the tone early, pulling away for a 54-36 victory. Union’s varsity girls followed with a dominant defensive showing, rolling to a 56-16 win. In the nightcap, Hobbton’s varsity boys defended home court, edging Union 56-49 in a competitive finish.
JV
The junior varsity opener was a defensive grind from the opening tip, with both teams struggling to find rhythm early. Union built a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter before Hobbton finally broke through behind Javarus Johnson, who scored the Wildcats’ first three points and added a free throw. Union held a slim 6-4 edge at the end of the quarter.
Defense continued to dictate the pace in the second period as Union capitalized on Hobbton misses to push the lead to 13-8. Travis Williams answered with a tough finish inside, but Union controlled the closing minutes of the half and carried a 22-10 advantage into the break.
The Spartans extended their lead early in the third quarter, going up 29-15 as Hobbton’s scoring drought lingered. Johnson and Eli Davis helped stop the bleeding with baskets late in the period, but Union still led 36-20 heading into the fourth.
Johnson and Kemori McNeil opened the final quarter with baskets for their respective teams. Johnson later found Betts with a well-timed dish, only for Union to counter with crisp ball movement that led to a Jeremiah Bennett layup. Union maintained a 15-point cushion midway through the quarter, and after McLamb fouled out with 2:45 remaining, the Spartans leaned on clock control to seal the 54-36 win.
After the game, Hobbton JV coach Dasmine Joyner focused less on the score and more on identity.
“We lost what we were good at,” Joyner explained. “When we stop doing the things that make us Hobbton JV, we start playing the other team’s way. We’re still looking for guys to step up and be leaders, and that has to start in practice.”
Joyner also emphasized mental toughness when calls do not go a team’s way.
“If the ref doesn’t call it, we still have to play ball,” he added. “Flush it and keep going.”
Filling in for Union’s JV coach, Randy Jordan praised his team’s chemistry and consistency.
“They like each other, they play hard, and they see each other on the floor,” Jordan noted. “This program is headed in the right direction, and we’re playing for each other and for Coach Register.”
Varsity girls
Union’s varsity girls wasted little time asserting control, racing out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter. With the outcome well in hand, Union rotated freely, giving extended minutes to reserves while maintaining steady pressure.
The pace slowed late as Union eased up defensively, allowing Hobbton to find some offense and post its highest scoring total of the season. Union closed out a 56-16 victory.
Union coach Bobby Lamb said the night was about balance.
“We try to find that line between sportsmanship and getting our younger players real game experience,” Lamb said. “We’re a young team overall, and games like this help us prepare for the future while also respecting what Hobbton is building.”
Across the sideline, Hobbton coach Janette Williams focused on growth rather than the scoreboard.
“I’m extremely proud of them,” Williams shared. “They were proud of themselves after the game, and that matters to me more than anything. The improvement from the beginning of the season to now is real, and people are starting to see it.”
Williams acknowledged the challenges of playing experienced teams but remains encouraged.
“They love playing together, and they love learning,” she said. “They were excited to break 15 points, and we’ll keep building from that.”
Varsity boys
Hobbton’s varsity boys set the tone early in the nightcap, jumping out to a 6-0 lead behind buckets from Amir Tate and Richard Simpson. Union’s 6-foot-8 center Freddie Fryar made his presence felt defensively, altering shots, but Hobbton continued to apply pressure and built a 16-4 advantage.
Union clawed back into the game behind Manny Adams and Josiah Swinson, but Hobbton closed the half strong and led 31-19 at the break. Tate and Lathan Warren extended the margin in the third, though Adams and Swinson answered to keep Union within striking distance.
Hobbton carried a 45-29 lead into the fourth quarter before Union made its push. Tobias Cromartie opened the final period with free throws, and Swinson later trimmed the deficit to eight with 1:34 remaining. Hobbton responded with timely finishes and closed out a 56-49 win.
Tate led all scorers with 19 points, while Kenny-Ray Bailey added 14 for Union.
Afterward, Hobbton coach Aydan Tart pointed to momentum and focus.
“When you start games the right way, it carries into each quarter,” Tart said. “But when we lose focus on details like transition defense, teams make runs. That’s something we’re still learning.”
Union head coach Randy Jordan credited Hobbton’s physicality while praising his team’s resolve in the closing stretch.
“Anytime you play a county opponent, it’s going to be a dog fight,” Jordan remarked. “It’s always a battle, and Hobbton played hard and played tough. Give them credit.”
Despite falling behind early and dealing with foul trouble, Jordan said his group never lost belief.
“Our kids didn’t quit,” he continued. “We got down early, but they kept fighting and battling back. I’m really proud of the effort we made. If a few shots fall or a couple of layups go in, it could be a different outcome.”
Jordan also noted that the familiarity between the two programs only intensifies the margins.
“When you see teams like that more than once, you know it’s going to come down to details,” he explained. “We just have to keep working and keep getting better.”
Union will see Hobbton one more time later this season, this time on the Spartans’ home floor. Jordan acknowledged the significance of that rematch while keeping the focus on what lies ahead.
“They’re well coached and do a real nice job,” he said. “Next time it’ll be at home on senior night, so that’ll be a big night for our guys and for our community. But right now, we’ve got other people ahead of them that we’re focused on.”