PUYALLUP — The Union Titans are almost home — their second home they’ve been accustomed to in recent seasons: the Tacoma Dome.
While not an official lock — the second year of the WIAA’s RPI rankings become official when bi-district and district play statewide concludes — it’s hard not to believe the Titans’ 61-43 win Friday over Auburn in the bi-district quarterfinals all but is a lock for a spot in the Tacoma Dome for the Class 4A state tournament, even with two bi-district games to go.
Even is Union loses out against quality opponents — it faces undefeated Federal Way (No. 7 RPI) in Wednesday’s 7:45 p.m. bi-district semifinal — shouldn’t drop out in the top-8 ranking.
Reaching the Dome is a common theme for the Titans (19-4) and seniors Zach Reznick and Tyler Combs, but a first for varsity newcomers Alishawuan Taylor and Ethan Smith.
Taylor had what coach Blake Conley described as his best game as a Titan. The junior finished with 11 points, and despite picking up two early fouls, remained positive and continued to be an aggressive force in the interior. It led to a number of putbacks, including being fouled on a putback attempt to open the fourth quarter. He made 1 of 2 free throws to give Union its largest lead of the game at 19 — 50-31.
“When I picked up those two fouls, the bench keep head up and that’s what I did. And I came out with everything I had.”
This is Taylor’s second consecutive postseason appearance with Union. First came in football, and the recent transplant from Rockford, Illinois, is soaking in the experience and learning what the postseason is all about in a Titans uniform.
“It’s been really fun,” he said.
Ethan Smith’s game-high 16 points paced Union offensively, and the first-year varsity player broke a notable program record Thursday on a night, too, when the defense shined. Union held Auburn to two third-quarter field goals and 31 points through the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
His four 3-pointers gave him 73 and counting, surpassing Cameron Cranston’s school-record for 3s in a season. Cranston was the Class 4A state player of the year in 2017 who now is playing at a prep school in Kansas.
“He’s such a hard worker and he’s waited for his time on JV last year,” Conley said. “It’s been his year, and his teammates do a great job of finding him. It’s cool to see him get this experience.”
