North Union’s Zoe Wedding, left) looks to drive against an Indian Lake opponent. The Lady Cats capped a difficult week with a victory over the Lakers.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
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North Union’s girls basketball squad needed a rebound and not just getting one off the glass.
Playing for the third time in six days, the Lady Cats erased a little bit of the bad taste they had from their first two games of the week.
After suffering a pair of 30-point losses (to Bishop Watterson and Bloom Carroll), North Union went wire-to-wire in downing Central Buckeye Conference rival Indian Lake 61-40 at North Union.
“It was great to come back with a win,” senior Audrey Benedict said. “Especially after a rough week. We came out strong and ready to play.”
The triumph also clinched at least a tie for the CBC Mad River Division title.
With two league games left to play, the Wildcats, who lead Graham by two games, are 8-0 in the CBC and 12-6 overall.
While not overly intense, the practice the day before playing the Lakers (3-4, 7-11) was productive for North Union.
“We worked on our intensity and game-like conditions,” senior Zoe Wedding said.
Benedict and Wedding were both key parts in getting the Lady Cats back on the winning track,
They each scored 18 points, but used a different style to get there.
Benedict found the open areas close to the basket and made free throws, while Wedding was dialed in from behind the arc.
Benedict did have one three-point goal, but had drives to the hoop and second-chance baskets.
Wedding’s first two field goals were of the extra-point variety and for good measure, she added a free throw after one of them. She tallied five three-balls for the game.
“We were able to start out fast,” Wedding said.
North Union head coach Bre Jackson did not try to gloss over the first two games of the week.
“It was a tough week for us, but we were able to get the girls through it,” she said. “We have a tough non-league schedule.”
Jackson affirmed the Friday practice dealt with some game-like conditions.
“We did a lot of shooting and some competitive free throws,” Jackson said. “It was good to see them able to piece together what we’ve been working on. We told them before the game to accept the challenge.”
Led by Wedding’s three-point shooting, North Union jumped out to an 11-2 lead.
The Lakers cut the gap to 11-7 following a three-point goals by Katie Roby.
A drive-for-two from Gabby Lindsey and a Benedict inside score led to a 17-12 edge at the end of the quarter.
The Cats opened with the first 14 points for the second quarter. They led 35-15 at the half to put the game away.
Wedding scored eight points in the frame, while Benedict totaled six markers.
Kennedy Harrah started the third quarter with a three-point play.
Benedict swished a three-point goal with one second left. That closed the quarter with a 48-26 NU lead.
Indian Lake outscored North Union 14-13 in the fourth period.
Joining Benedict and Wedding in double figures for Lady Cats were Lindsay (13) and Harrah (10).
Wedding dished out three assists, Addison Wedding had five rebounds and Lindsey collected four steals.
North Union won the junior varsity game 54-14.
Emma McEloy had five three-point goals on her way to a game-high 19 points, while Kailin McElroy added 14 points.
Indian Lake
Edwards 4-0-8, Dixon 1-0-3, Strayer 2-3-7, Schwaderer 3-3-9, Roby 2-0-6, Hill 3-0-7. Three-point goals: Roby 2.
North Union
Benedict 6-5-18, Z. Wedding 6-1-18, Martino 1-0-2, Colegrove 0-0-0, A. Wedding 0-0-0, Lindsey 6-1-13, Harrah 4-2-10, Hinkle 0-0-0. Three-point goals: Z. Wedding 5, Benedict.