By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

Jamie Hooks delivered just in time for the Union High boys basketball team last night.

Hooks converted a putback as time expired, lifting the Scotties to a 66-64 WPIAL Section 1-A road win over Western Beaver.

Union got the ball with 47 seconds left and the score knotted at 64. Benjamin Young held the ball until the eight-second mark. He penetrated and lofted a shot that fell off the rim. Garrison Bell missed a putback but Hooks snared the rebound and made the shot just before the horn sounded.

The win lifts the Scotties (3-3 section, 7-10 overall) into a third-place tie with the Golden Beavers (3-3, 11-4). Western Beaver won the first meeting on Union’s home floor, 69-46.

“I’m proud of these guys for how hard they’ve worked,” Scotties coach Dave Smialowski said. “They’ve been working hard day in and day out; this is a big win for us.

“We have four games to play and anything can happen.”

Western Beaver had possession with the score tied at 64 with more than a minute to play. Nick Miller penetrated and attempted a shot. He missed and the Golden Beavers missed a putback. Hooks collected the rebound, setting up the Scotties’ final possession.

Benjamin Young tossed in a team-high 24 points, including 11 in the first quarter. He added eight rebounds and six assists as well.

“Young is our leader; he’s a solid leader,” Smialowski said.

Hooks was next with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Rush added 10 markers.

“We talk about stepping up and making shots,” Smialowski said. “When you can get production like that from Hooks, that’s just huge for us. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.”

Union was 10 of 24 from behind the arc and 26 of 63 overall from the floor. The Scotties were just 4 of 13 at the foul line, though.

“They played a 1-3-1 zone against us,” Smialowski said. “We knew we had to make some shots.

“We shoot free throws every day. We’ve struggled with it this year. Hopefully we can right that ship.”

The Scotties are two games behind Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5-1, 13-4) for second place in the section. The teams meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on Union’s home court.

“We feel we can move up in the standings,” Smialowski said. “If we can get them (Tuesday), then we’re only a game behind them. We can’t be satisfied with we’re at right now.”

Miller registered a game-best 25 points for Western Beaver.

(Email: rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com)