Union's Mackenzie Lewis, left, plays wing for the Titans. (Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
Second-year Union coach Gary Mills felt last year’s team was good, but not great. He feels the same entering this season.
“We’re tying to raise our standards a bit to get to the next level,” Mills said.
After sharing a league title with Camas last season, the only place to go up is to state. And this year’s Titans squad has the talent to break through for just the third time in program history.
The Titans return all-league selections Lolo Weatherspoon, a 5-foot-10 guard, and Mackenzie Lewis, a 5-11 senior. They also bring back Mason Oberg, who missed last season with a knee injury.
“She’s 100 percent. There’s no ill effects from that injury,” Mills said. “Most of the time with knee injuries, there’s the mental scars. I don’t see any of that. She just wants to compete.”
Five-foot-3 winger Lexi Raymore will come off the bench for the Titans, who also bring in Sarah Litchford, a 6-1 post from Utah.
“I don’t think we’re going to do very many things similar to last year,” Mills said. “It’s more ‘what do we have this year?’ Let’s try to make something of that. That’s the fun of coaching.”
With a bevy of talented guards that means Union will look to utilize its team speed. Mills also wants the players to use their high basketball IQs to make adjustments on the fly.
“In our minds, we just want to go further than last year,” Mills said.
Union made the state regionals in 2018 before falling in bi-districts last season.
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