NU’s Max Parish drives toward the basket against River Valley. Parish scored 25 points.
(Photo submitted)
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North Union struggled with execution on both ends of the court.
That inconsistency led to a 64-52 non-league loss to River Valley on Tuesday.
It was a battle between two of the top teams in the Central District.
North Union earned a second seed in Division III for post-season play, while River Valley is slotted the same in Division II.
The Wildcats led just once, holding an 18-16 edge early in the second quarter.
The Vikings put together several scoring runs, helped by three-point field goals.
That forced North Union into come-from-behind mode for large parts of the contest.
“When you watch River Valley play it has no fear of letting the three-pointers fly,” NU head coach Ryan Grose said. “They will go on scoring runs, but you can put together possessions to come back.”
The Wildcats, though, were not as successful as Grose would hope.
“Our focus is always on execution and it was inconsistent,” he said. “We have to get better in key situations.”
A three-point goal by Tyler Krebehenne had North Union trailing 8-7 a little past the midpoint of the first quarter.
The Vikings then went on one of those scoring runs Grose has seen them do in the past.
Three-point goals from Carson Smith and Xavier Hensel keyed an 8-0 run as River Valley led 16-7 with 2:01 remaining.
North Union came right back, scoring the last seven points of the opening stanza.
Max Parish started the spurt with a drive-for-two.
Miles Hall drilled a three-pointer and then had a steal that led to a Parish layup.
The Wildcats trailed 16-14 at the close of the quarter.
The momentum continued in the opening minutes of the second quarter when NU’s Rylan Keever scored a pair of baskets for the 18-16 lead.
River Valley regained a 22-18 edge, but Parish hit a trey and two free throws around a Smith inside basket.
The half ended with River Valley leading 28-26.
The Vikings came out smoking in the third quarter.
They scored the first 12 points with nine markers coming on trifectas.
The Wildcats then held River Valley to just two points over a five-minute stretch to climb back into contention.
North Union scored 16 points during that time as Hall led the charge with seven.
Parish also netted a trey that tied the game at 42 with 2:14 left in the third quarter.
The Wildcats had three more possessions in which they could have taken the lead.
It did not happen and the Vikings led 44-42 at the end of the quarter.
River Valley controlled the final frame, outscoring North Union 14-2 in the first five minutes for a 58-44 lead.
The Wildcats closed to within 10 at 62-52, but could get no closer.
“Overall, we competed hard and stuck together,” Grose said. “But we have to get better and consistent in key situations.”
In past years, North Union has scheduled River Valley early in the season.
This year it was moved to late in the season.
“Both of us are number two seeds,” Grose said. “The purpose of playing at this point was to get ready for the tournament.”
Parish led all scorers with 25 points, while Hall finished with 13.
Smith paced River Valley with 17 points.
River Valley also won the junior varsity game 62-49.
Wyatt Davis led North Union with 25 points.
NU will host Indian Lake on Friday.
River Valley
Ca. Smith 6-2-17, Weston 4-2-12, Hensel 4-1-10, Ebert 4-0-10, Ch Smith 1-0-3, Kenney 6-0-12. Three-point goals: Ca. Smith 3, Weston 2, Ebert 2, Hensel, Ch. Smith.
North Union
Bright 1-0-3, Draper 1-0-2, Keever 2-0-4, Parish 8-7-25, Hajjar 0-0-0, Krebehenne 2-0-5, Hall 5-1-13. Three-point goals: Parish 2, Hall 2, Bright, Krebehenne.