Basketball Recap: Union Day Starts Season with Win Against HOPE Academy

Union Day had to travel to play their first game of the season, but the final result was worth the trip. They blew past the HOPE Academy Royals 66-46 on Thursday. The score was all tied up 21-21 at the break, but the Gryphons were the better team in the second half.

Union Day found their leader in sophomore Jazon Reynolds, who almost dropped a triple-double with 28 points, 11 boards, and nine assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Carter Page, who went 7-for-17 en route to 18 points and seven rebounds.

Despite the defeat, HOPE Academy had strong showings from Zeke Shelton, who posted 21 points, and Eli Budgick, who put up 18 points. That was a full 39.1% of the Royals' points, marking the third time in a row Budgick has earned more than a third of the team's points.

HOPE Academy's record now sits at 1-3.

Union Day and HOPE Academy will both get a bit of extra prep time before their next games. The next time the Gryphons see the court they'll take on Union Preparatory at 4:00 p.m. on the 2nd. As for HOPE Academy, their break will end when they face Charlotte Lab School at 4:30 p.m. on the 2nd.