UC boys basketball team wins on Senior Night
The Union Catholic boys basketball team, ranked No. 11 in the state, celebrated Senior Night in impressive fashion, defeating Newark Lab, 77-41, on Tuesday evening in Scotch Plains.
The atmosphere was electric as both the senior players and cheerleaders were honored before the game. The night was particularly special for two seniors—AJ Altobelli and Luke Schorr—who were presented with specially designed basketballs to commemorate their milestone of recently reaching 1,000 points in their career.
With the seniors being celebrated, the team set out to finish the regular season strong. Union Catholic wasted no time asserting control of the game. Led by Schorr's sharp shooting and Altobelli's all-around presence, the squad jumped out to a big early lead. Schorr had a standout performance, finishing the night with 14 points, including two three-pointers, and four free throws.
Altobelli contributed six points, though he made his presence felt in other ways. His energy on both sides of the floor helped the team extend their lead. The senior was relentless in his effort, encouraging his teammates throughout the game.
The Union Catholic offense was balanced, with multiple players contributing on the scoreboard. Senior forward FK Muntari put up 10 points, hitting several tough shots around the basket. Yaw Ansong added 11 points, including a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. Meanwhile, senior Jhan Acosta contributed six points and four free throws in limited minutes. Every player on the team scored, ensuring the game remained a collective effort.
UC's defense was smothering, limiting Newark Lab's ability to execute offensively. Each pass, rebound, and steal was met with cheers from the crowd as the team executed their game plan to near perfection.
The game ended with Union Catholic walking away with a commanding victory, marking a fitting way to honor the seniors on their special night. As the buzzer sounded, the gym filled with cheers, and the team huddled in celebration. It was a perfect night for the seniors, their teammates, and the entire school community, capping off an unforgettable evening.
The Vikings, now 14-8 on the season, are back in action this Saturday when they begin defense of their Union County Championship when they play in the quarterfinal round of the county tournament at 1:30 p.m. at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth. UC, the No. 3 seed, will play the winner of the Linden-Cranford game.
Box Score Highlights:
- AJ Altobelli: 6 points (3-2PT), 0 rebounds, 0 assists
- Luke Schorr: 14 points (2-3PT, 4-4 FT), 0 rebounds, 0 assists
- FK Muntari: 10 points (4-2PT, 2-3FT), 0 rebounds, 0 assists
- Yaw Ansong: 11 points (3-2PT, 1-3PT, 2-2 FT), 0 rebounds, 0 assists
- Jhan Acosta: 6 points (1-2PT, 4-4 FT), 0 rebounds, 0 assists
