Defense can solve a lot of things.
Union guard Micah Paulson had back-to-back steals and turned them into four quick points to start the fourth quarter, then teammate Isaiah Robinson blocked three consecutive shots on Evergreen’s next possession.
That one-minute surge on the defensive side of the floor pretty much sealed the game for the Titans. Paulson finished with 16 points, Robinson added 12, and the Titans beat the Plainsmen 59-48 in a Class 4A Greater St. Helens League boys basketball game.
Union improved to 5-0 the 4A GSHL, two games ahead of Evergreen and Battle Ground after the first round of league play.
The Titans were held to 39 percent shooting, but they held Evergreen to 33 percent from the floor.
“When you’re not hitting your shots, you have to pick it up on the other end,” Paulson said. “We never give up on each other.”
He added that the Titans always believe they will find a way, even when they struggle on offense. Paulson said they all get back on defense, and they all know what it takes to get rebounds.
And of course there is one who specializes in blocked shots.
Robinson, listed at 6-8, blocked a driving lay-up attempt, then sent back back-to-back put-back attempts. (Say that three times in a row, in honor of those blocked shots.)
“It’s happened before, but it’s always special,” Robinson said of getting the block trifecta on one possession. “It discourages them from going into the paint.”
Evergreen finished 18 of 54 from the floor, 4 of 15 in the fourth quarter.
“Me being down there allows the other guys to be more aggressive,” Robinson said. “I’m our last line of defense.”
That aggressiveness is what led to Paulson’s steals.
Evergreen had cut an 11-point halftime deficit to three points with a minute to play in the third quarter. Jahmil Johnson had seven of his 11 points in the period.
Union’s Skillful Davis, though, ended the quarter with four points to push the Titans lead to seven.
Paulson then opened the fourth with a steal and a fast-break that led to two free throws.
He got another steal, and he finished the break with a floater in the lane. Paulson had four steals and four assists.
Riley Hawken led Union with 11 rebounds. Austin Brown had eight, including five offensive boards.
Johnson and Jordan Henderson led a balanced Evergreen attack with 11 points apiece. Greg Washington and Robert Franks scored 10 each. Henderson also had nine rebounds.
The Titans know they are halfway to a league title, but coach Blake Conley said they are not zeroing in on that just yet. He was impressed with his team’s mental approach to this game.
Evergreen was looking to tie for first place. Instead, Union has a bit of a cushion now.
“I thought the guys did a really good job of being coachable,” Conley said. “They were really focused today. I could tell they were going to come out ready to go.”
UNION 59, EVERGREEN 48
EVERGREEN — David Martin 2, Connor Finnegan 4, Kobey Eaton 0, Greg Washington 10, Jahmil Johnson 11, Christian Chamberlain 0, Robert Franks 10, Jordan Henderson 11. Totals 18-54 (5-22) 7-13 48.
UNION — Derrick Derryberry 1, Nick Simkins 0, Cole Weatherspoon 0, Micah Paulson 16, Denis Kirichenko 0, Austin Brown 4, Leon Siofele 0, Skillful Davis 7, Isaiah Robinson 12, Riley Hawken 8, Cameron Cranston 7, Spencer Martin 2, Stephen Ammentorp 2. Totals 24-62 (2-17) 9-13 59.
Evergreen 13 9 14 12–48
Union 17 16 10 16–59
JV — Union 78-46. C — Union won
