Union overcomes Campbell control

Dan Mukaabya led a late offensive charge in Union's 56-51 comeback win.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Union High boys basketball team, on the strength of a 7-0 run to close out the game, came from behind to defeat Campbell Memorial 56-51 Friday in the Union Boosters Holiday Classic Tournament.
The Scotties (4-4) will meet Laurel, a 70-69 winner over Mohawk, for the championship on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Campbell (3-3) will face Mohawk in the consolation game today at 5:30 p.m.
With his team trailing 51-49 and the game on the line, Union 6-1 junior Dan Mukaabya took control of the outcome.
After failing to score through the first three periods, Mukaabya nailed a 3-pointer from the corner with two minutes left, then all but iced the win a minute later when he made both free throws after getting fouled following an offensive rebound.
"Danny can shoot the ball and tonight. He stepped up big for us," said Union coach Mark Stanley. "He doesn't get a lot of looks, but he is capable, and pressure doesn't seem to bother him. Those were five big points and probably the most important five of the game."
Another close loss
Campbell coach Brian Danilov would probably not like to see another close game any time soon. His club has three losses thus far in the season; the Devils having lost by two to Brookfield and by three to Lakeview before the five-point verdict to Union.
"I sure hope that we can start winning some of these close games," said Danilov. "But we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
"We could go a long way at getting the job done if we would make foul shots and pick up some of the loose balls that are getting away from us."
Although the Red Devils came out on the short end of the final score, one key to their staying in the game was their ability to answer scoring runs by the Scotties. No less than four times during the game, the Devils answered runs by Union until the final two minutes when they simply ran out of time.
"The missed foul shot when they got the rebound back was big and we just missed too many foul shots," added Danilov.
"They are a great team and I think that [Union's Craig] Hannon is probably the best player in the area," he added. "They are a well-coached team and the other kids rally around his effort and leadership."
Campbell answers
Stanley also felt that Campbell's ability to answer Union's play was big in its staying close all the way through.
"That is a sign of a good team," he said. "It was a well-played game. There were a couple of times we had a six-point lead, but they were able to bring it right back down."
Campbell finally captured the lead (42-40) for the first time 16 seconds into the final period. This time it was Union that had an answer for the Red Devil scoring spurt.
"They took a three-point lead [44-41], but we were able to cut into it and not let it get more than that," said Stanley. "One run in that situation and it is over."
For Union, Mike Mukaabya led the way with a team-high 15 points. He was followed by Bobby Burkes with 11 and Hannon with 10.
For Campbell, Teyon Harris led all scorers with 17 points, while Chris Melnik also notched doubles with 10 points.