It had only been one season since the Union High boys basketball last won its holiday tournament.

That was long enough for the Scotties.

Union outlasted Laurel with a balanced attack for a 53-42 victory in the championship game of the Union Boosters Tournament.

The Scotties (5-4) trailed 24-21 entering the third quarter, but that’s when they woke up, outscoring the Spartans by 14 in the frame and never looking back.

“It means a lot,” said Union coach Dave Smialowski of winning the tournament. “We didn’t get it last year, and I told the kids, ‘Let’s bring it back.’ We came out a little lazy, and in the second half, we picked it up.

“It’s nice to win your own tournament. It’s a good feeling. It really is.”

Markel Peace led the charge, scoring 11 of his 14 in the third quarter. Benjamin Young scored a game-high 15 en route to tournament Most Valuable Player honors, while Joe Salmen added 11. The Scotties’ defense was impressive, too, holding Laurel (1-7) to six points in the third quarter and 18 total in the second half.

“We talked about picking up the pressure some more (at halftime),” Smialowski said. “We wanted to pressure their guards some more, and I think it wore them down a little bit. We got some steals and got some easy ones and the game kind of broke open in the third quarter.”

Richard Jones registered 12 points for the Spartans, who were coming of a huge upset over Shenango. Todd Fennick added 10 for Laurel.