Basketball Recap: Union Colony Prep Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Jaelynn Valdez and Soliana Gebremeskel

If Union Colony Prep was feeling good fresh off their 53-24 takedown of Bishop Machebeuf last Thursday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Union Colony Prep Timberwolves took a 47-35 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Lyons Lions on Tuesday. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Timberwolves of the 38-28 defeat they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in January of 2024.

Soliana Gebremeskel and Jaelynn Valdez certainly did their best on Tuesday to avoid the loss. Gebremeskel posted 18 points in addition to six rebounds and five steals, while Valdez earned 12 points along with eight steals and seven boards. That was a full 51.4% of Union Colony Prep's points, marking the tenth time in a row Gebremeskel has had more than a third of the team's points.

Lyons found their leader in sophomore Ava Vasquez, who dropped a double-double with 21 points and 19 boards. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Vasquez has scored all season. Another player making a difference was Gretta Wynja, who put up ten points and eight rebounds.

Union Colony Prep's loss dropped their record down to 9-8. As for Lyons, their win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 12-6.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Union Colony Prep will head out to square off against Ascent Classical Academy Northern Colorado at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for Lyons, they are taking a road trip to face off against Clear Creek at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Lyons is facing Clear Creek at the right time seeing as Clear Creek is stuck on an 18-game losing streak.