Top-ranked Union boys’ strength found in its depth

This week, we celebrate the teams from Clark County that have made it to state basketball tournaments.

Today, we start a three-day series, during which we’ll have small stories on all nine teams that are still playing this weekend.

By Saturday night, we will know who is going to the quarterfinals, which teams will be advancing to the final destinations.

For 4A and 3A teams, that would be the Tacoma Dome.

For 1A teams, that would be mean a trip to the Yakima SunDome.

Today, we feature the three boys teams from the 4A and 3A ranks: Camas, Columbia River, and Union.

Thursday, we feature the three girls teams from the 4A and 3A ranks: Camas, Prairie, and Skyview.

Friday, we go small-school, with three stories from the 1A ranks: King’s Way Christian boys, La Center boys, and La Center girls.

The Columbian plans to send reporters to all nine games Friday and Saturday.

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The starting five makes the Union Titans one of the best boys basketball teams in the region.

It’s the next five, though, that have made Union one of the best teams in the state.

According to one poll, in fact, THE best Class 4A team in the state.

Union will face Curtis of University Place at 8 p.m. Friday in Chehalis in the first round of the Class 4A state boys basketball tournament. The winner will advance to the Tacoma Dome.

One of the keys for Union is its strong bench play. Union (21-1) goes 10-deep in its normal rotation. Not all 10 play a lot every game, but all 10 usually see the court in the first half. All 10 have made plays to ensure victories this season, according to coach Blake Conley.

Some of the next five could start at other programs. All would likely get more minutes elsewhere. But this is their place. Stephan Ammentorp, Nico Bricker, Carson Brucher, Denis Kirichenko, and Keithen Shepard understand their value. It is not always shown on game nights, either.

“As the second five, we try to give (the starters) the best team to play against during practice,” Ammentorp said. “We make them play their best in practice.”

Ammentorp’s minutes usually are dictated by matchups. There are games he only plays a minute or two per half.

“We’re 21-1. We don’t have a lot to complain about,” Ammentorp said.

Brucher has a tough assignment, as well.

“I’m the back-up to the MVP in the league,” he said, referring to Micah Paulson, noting that his minutes are limited. “I’m fine with that.”

He knows what is expected of him.

“When I get on the floor, I have to play the hardest defense I can. And when I’m open, I’ve got to hit the shot,” he said.

Get in the game, do the job, take a seat.

A simple strategy that always looks good in theory, but it takes a special group to actually execute that plan.

“When you have the depth we have this year, it makes it real easy,” Conley said. “When you have guys who are selfless, it’s not a problem.”