Story by Prairie Communications intern Elaina Allaman
The United Red Storm faced off against the #1 ranked class 1A team, the Southeastern Suns, at the Fieldhouse at United High School. Through their first 7 games this season, 6’8″ standout senior Danny Stephens has accounted for 61% of the total scoring for Southeastern. Stephens averages over 35 points a game for the Suns. Southeastern would dominate the first half but United’s scrappiness kept them within arm’s length at the half, only trailing 25-14 at the break. Stephens had 17 of the 25 first half Sun’s points.
United head coach Doug Dennison drew up a defensive double-team on Stephens in the second half and the Red Storm would cut the deficit to seven points at 37-30 heading to the fourth quarter. Stephens went on one of his patented runs and the Southeastern lead would get back to double digits at the start of the fourth and it would remain at least 12 points the rest of the way, ending in a 52-37 victory for the Suns. Southeastern continues their winning ways to start the season and are now (8-0). United falls to (4-5). Stephens ended the night with 33 points to lead Southeastern. Hunter Hall had 14 and Abel Wilson had 11 to lead the Red Storm.
United begins play in their own Holiday Tournament on Saturday starting with a 9am game against the West Central Heat at the Fieldhouse at United High School. Southeastern will host West Central for a non-conference game in Augusta on Thursday night.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE