United avenges defeat to S. Range

NORTH LIMA — When South Range High defeated United, 73-47, on Dec. 15, the Raiders placed four players in double figures and were never seriously challenged after the first quarter.

On Tuesday, United traveled to South Range for a return engagement against the Raiders, entering the game as one of the hottest teams in the Inter-Tri County League’s Tier One.

Zack Taylor and Josh Miller each scored 19 points and the Eagles used a 10-2 run at the outset of the fourth quarter as United avenged their earlier defeat to the Raiders, 66-58 at the South Range Gymnasium.

“We played terrible in our first game against South Range and knew that it would be a tough game on the road as well,” said Taylor, whose team has won three straight and five of six. “The key tonight, however, was that everyone contributed; a total team effort. We knew that it would be a brawl to the end and that the fourth quarter would be critical.

“Our run to start the final period was big as we outhustled them and hit our free throws when it counted.”

Taylor, who was held scoreless in the first period and had just six points at halftime, watched as Miller and teammate Zac Strong combined for half of the Eagles’ points in the opening period to stake United to the early 16-12 advantage.

Miller’s seven points and two triples from Taylor in the second period then helped the Eagles forge a 35-32 halftime advantage, a lead they would hold until the final moments of the third quarter.

United coach Mike Ward called Taylor the leader of the club and a player they depend on when the game is on the line.

“Zack [Taylor] is a senior and three-year letterwinner for us and a player who does it all,” he said. “He hits from beyond the arc, inside, converts his free throws and still plays excellent defense.

“He’s the player we want to have the ball at crunch time.”

Ward said he preaches poise under pressure.

Every team goes on a run during a game and you could just see that this was a battle of wills the entire game,” he said. “The key is that we have grown up as the season has progressed.”

The Eagles (6-6, 5-4) opened a 42-36 lead with 2:32 remaining in the third period, but the Raiders (8-5, 7-2) went on a 7-0 run to close the quarter to take a 43-42 lead with just eight minutes remaining.

After United’s 10-2 run at the outset of the final period produced a 52-45 advantage, South Range’s Jordan Baker netted four points to key a 6-0 run for the Raiders as they pulled to within a point, 54-53 with 2:30 remaining.

United then went on 12-1 run the rest of the way, keyed by Miller and Taylor with four points each to seal the victory.

“At the end of the third period we built some momentum, but then lost it when our shots didn’t fall and United put together that run at the outset of the fourth quarter,” said Raiders coach Dave Purins, whose team had won four straight. “We’ll learn from this, knowing full well that the only thing we can do right now is just show up and practice twice as hard.”