Members of the Union Knights boys basketball team including senior Eric Neipert (center with trophy) pose for a photo with the team’s state quarterfinal trophy on Tuesday, March 11, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER

LA PORTE CITY – A new chapter began for the Union Knights boys basketball program this season under first-year head coach Eric Jesse who coached the junior-heavy team all the way to the state tournament for only the second time in school history.

In the lead-up to the postseason, the Knights (17-10) won the NICL East Conference title – an accolade not earned since the 2008-2009 season.

Union was led this year in scoring by junior Tate Van Dyke with 330 points, senior Eric Neipert and junior Caden Sorensen who both recorded 305 points, and junior Cameron Mullen with 291 points.

Neipert (246), Van Dyke (152), and junior Sawyer Spence (67) led the team in rebounds.

Additionally, Sorensen led in steals with 45; Neipert led in blocks with 44; and junior Maddux DeWinter topped in assists with 138.

The Union Knights lone senior player Eric Neipert sails toward the basket over West Lyon junior Jared Ciesielski (12) on Tuesday, March 11, during the Class 2A state quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Neipert led his team against the Wildcats in rebounds with 10. PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER

Junior Ethan Winnike and freshman Bryson DeWinter contributed regularly off the bench as well.

After executing a massive upset 77-66 over No. 2 Kuemper Catholic in a substate final on Saturday, March 1, Union competed in the quarterfinal round at the Class 2A boys basketball state tournament on March 11. In the opening quarterfinal round, the Knights lost 81-50 to second seed West Lyon. The Wildcats (23-4) went on to lose the state championship 46-42 to Western Christian (25-3).

Multiple single season school records were set by the 2024-25 Union roster including single points (1,682), field goals (667), 3-pointers (193), and assists (417).

NICL East All-Conference honors were earned this season by first team selections Neipert and Sorensen, and second team picks Van Dyke, Cameron Mullen, and Spence. Maddux DeWinter also received honorable mention.

Looking to the future, Union will return 82% of scoring, 67% of rebounding, 91% of steals, and 95% of assists next season. The Knights rising senior class has nearly 2,600 career points between them.

Union junior Caden Sorensen (10) drives toward the basket against the West LyoN defense on Tuesday, March 11, during the Class 2A state quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Sorensen led the Knights with 12 points. PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER

On stats alone, the 2025-26 team is well-poised for another strong postseason run.

Union junior Tate Van Dyke, left, muscles his way to the basket against a couple of West Lyon defenders on Tuesday, March 11, during the Class 2A state quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Van Dyke, a standout transfer from Hudson this season, recorded seven points and three rebounds against the Wildcats. PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER

The Union Knights student section – wearing ‘12th man’ shirts in honor of the late Gavin Rohrbach, a Union senior who lost his life in a car accident last September – pictured on Tuesday, March 11, during the Class 2A state quarterfinal played at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Knights earned a trip to the state tournament for only the second time in school history. PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER