The Union Academy Cardinals will challenge the South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Union Academy is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 64.5 points per game this season.
Last Tuesday, Union Academy really took it to Gray Stone Day for the full four quarters, racking up a 59-15 win. With the Cardinals ahead 35-10 at the half, the match was all but over already.
Kayl Starnes was her usual excellent self, going 7 of 10 en route to 16 points. Another player making a difference was Laney Hildreth, who posted nine points.
Union Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in 31 consecutive contests dating back to last season.
Meanwhile, South Stanly was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their 39th straight loss dating back to last season. The game between them and North Stanly didn't end well, with South Stanly falling 44-30.
Union Academy will have to keep a close watch on Briley Page and Kanija Colson, a pair of players who had a big impact on South Stanly's prior game. Page had 16 points and five steals, while Colson almost dropped a double-double on nine points and nine rebounds. That's the most steals Page has posted since back in November of 2023.
Union Academy's victory was their 11th straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 17-1. The wins came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 25.2 points per game. As for South Stanly, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-18.
This contest is shaping up to be a blowout: Union Academy hasn't had any problem running up the score this season, having averaged 64.5 points per game. It's a different story for South Stanly, though, as they've been averaging only 24.5 points. The only thing between Union Academy and another offensive beatdown is South Stanly. Will they be able to keep them contained?
Everything came up roses for Union Academy against South Stanly in their previous meeting back in January, as the squad secured a 67-18 win. In that matchup, Union Academy amassed a halftime lead of 41-9, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.
