East Union is ready for some home cookin’ after completing the first half of its Valley Oak League schedule with a commanding 62-40 win at rival Sierra.
The Lancers (5-1 VOL, 15-6 overall) played five of their first six league contests on the road, and their lone loss was at first-place Mountain House. They’ll host Oakdale at Dalben Center next Thursday, Jan. 23.
Freshman point guard Haven Stone led them with 18 points, and Zyondupree Beasley tallied 15 points and nine rebounds. Sierra (3-2, 8-8) was paced by its own freshman standout in the versatile Emalina Latu, who amassed 16 points and 16 rebounds.
“We just wrapped up a brutal part of our schedule,” East Union coach Jim Agostini said, noting that only two of his team’s last 16 games were at home. “We knew it was going to be tough getting to this point, and this week we just played some solid basketball.”
East Union faced both of its rival schools this week and stomped fellow defending co-champion Manteca 71-32 on Tuesday. Against Sierra, the Lancers have won 23 in a row going back to 2014 and 37 of their last 38 meetings.
“Props to Agostini,” Sierra coach Rudy Valencia said. “Every time we play them, they’re always dialed in. Even during introductions, those girls are focused and ready to play. He has his girls prepared.”
His Timberwolves delivered the first punch, however, scoring the first four points including a 3 from Kiana Uahinui.
East Union countered with 16 unanswered points and continued to build on its lead from there. The Lancers held a 34-19 advantage at halftime and twice led by as much as 25 points in the second half. Stone buried a step-back 3-pointer to make it 48-23 with 2:25 left in the third quarter, and Shebra Rezaye capped an 8-0 run with a layup to make it 56-31 midway through the fourth.
“It’s a game of emotions, and a game of peaks and valleys,” Agostini said. “You just have to weather things the best you can. Sierra is a good team; they play hard. They’ve had some good wins and they’re going to have some more. Rudy and his staff are doing a good job, and you know you’re going to get their best punch every time.”
Rezaye provided key minutes off the bench, finishing with 13 points. Ava Barrera added 10 points, and nine rebounds. Julianna Gaspar helped key East Union’s early surge, coming up with four steals in the opening quarter.
Sierra ends the first half of its league schedule Tuesday at home against Mountain House. Like East Union, the Timberwolves have had a road-heavy schedule in the last month, playing eight straight away games until Thursday.
“We’re almost at the halfway point, and we just talked about how we’re going to approach the rest of the season,” Valencia said. “Do you take this (loss) as fuel, or do you sulk? It’s up to you to decide. I’m still proud of my girls; they fought hard until the final horn, and that’s all you can ask. We’ll just get back to work tomorrow and get ready for the rest of these games.”
Junior varsity
East Union 43, Sierra 23
Jedah Haywood and Kymoni Beasley scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the triumphant Lancers. Lucija Dayeh contributed with nine.
Freshman
East Union 41, Sierra 9
Sierra was held scoreless in the second and third quarters, as the Lancers cruised to the lopsided victory.
Elle Balyut led them with 15 points, while Camille Christensen collected 12 points and eight steals. Valeria Escamilla added seven points, while Jiselle Tuggles swiped six seals.
