The United Red Storm boys basketball team has been red hot lately, winning four straight games heading into Tuesday’s conference matchup with Abingdon-Avon. That winning streak pushed United back to 7-9 overall after starting the season just 2-7.
United looked to keep the streak alive and remain unbeaten in conference play when they hosted the A-Town Tornadoes. Abingdon-Avon entered the matchup 18-2 overall and tied with United atop the Lincoln Trail Conference standings. The Red Storm battled until the final buzzer, falling 66-50 in a game where the final score did not tell the full story. United trailed by just four at halftime and kept the deficit in single digits for most of the second half before the Tornadoes knocked down a few late shots to extend the lead.
There’s little time to dwell on that loss, as United is right back in action Tomorrow night with a pivotal conference matchup at Annawan. With the new conference tournament format, Head Coach Jason Lancaster says finishing in the top four is key.
“The top four get to play for the championship, and then the next four are in a group, and then the last couple are in a group. The goal is to be in that top four. It’s gonna be hard. There’s probably five, six teams that have a legit shot to get into that top four. One of them is Annawan, who we play Friday. Princeville’s right there, Bureau Valley, A-Town, and definitely Galva. We want to get into that and see what we can do at the end of the year.”
The Red Storm currently sit at 3-1 in conference play, tied for second place with Annawan, the team they’ll face Friday night. The winner would gain a significant edge in the race for a top four finish, while the loser drops into a crowded tie in fourth place.
Tipoff Friday night at Annawan is set for 7 o’clock.
United will be back on the road again Saturday, traveling to London Mills for a non-conference matchup with North Fulton.
For the full interview with Coach Lancaster from the WRAM Morning Show, check under the sports podcasts section.
