TACOMA — Each of their four years on the Union boys basketball team, Zach Reznick and Tyler Combs reached the Tacoma Dome in the 4A state tournament.
This year, however, was different. After placing no worse than fourth each of the past three years, Union is headed home after a 57-48 loss to Kamiak on Wednesday.
Falling short of the quarterfinals, that part is different. But one thing remains the same — the camaraderie Union players feel.
“It’s been a crazy ride,” Reznick said. “Each year it’s different. But no matter how far we go, it’s always just about the friendships and brotherhood that we have.”
That’s why it was a long and emotional postgame meeting in the Titans locker room.
“I’m disappointed that their season had to end a lot earlier than we wanted it to,” Union coach Blake Conley said. “But for that group of seniors, the mark they left on the program is special and you can’t take that away.”
Union has flummoxed by a Kamiak defense that forced 20 turnovers and shut down the Titans’ normally solid outside shooting. Union was 7 for 24 from 3-point range.
Leading 28-24 at halftime, No. 3 seeded Union (20-7) was outscored 18-4 in the third quarter. After a steal and three-point play to start the fourth quarter, the No. 14 seed from Mukilteo had its largest lead at 45-32.
“Give it to Kamiak, they were very good,” Conley said. “On defense they were physical. They were aggressive. Obviously we didn’t handle that well.”
Ethan Smith, who had a team-high 16 points, made two straight 3-pointers to pull Union within 45-38. But Union couldn’t get enough stops on defense or clutch shots to pull any closer than six points down the stretch.
Kamiak (17-8) has won eight in a row, including a regional round win over defending 4A champ Kentwood.
The No. 14 seed Knights face No. 4 Richland in the quarterfinals.
Union is left with memories of a season that included a district championship and a fourth straight berth to state.
“It ended sooner than we expected and sooner that we wanted, but it’s still a great year,” Reznick said. “We’re going to remember these memories forever.”
KAMIAK 57, UNION 48
KAMIAK — Dakota Bueing 2, Carson Tuttle 19, Charlie Powers 0, Patrick Olson 6, Max Manalo 0, Conner Fitzpatrick 1, Jordan Meyer 3, Whistler Pascual 0, Landon Overturf 5, Braden Leary 0, Danny Sharpe 21, Ryker Wuttke 0. Totals 19 (5) 14-23 57.
UNION — Coby Weatherspoon 0, Houston Combs 0, Zach Reznick 6, Tyler Combs 13, Quinn Lamey 0, Dustin Nettles 0, Alishawuan Taylor 4, Ethan Smith 16, Aiden Nellor 0, Brad Lackey 2, Jason Franklin Jr. 7, Josh Reznick 0. Totals 15 (7) 11-14 48.
Kamiak 16 8 18 15—57
Union 12 16 4 16—48
