CAMAS — Ethan Smith had tied the Union single game record for 3-pointers multiple times over the last two seasons, and hoped at some point, he would eventually break it.
Friday was his night.
Smith his eight 3s on his way to a game-high 28 points to lead the Titans past Camas 82-68 to further extend their unbeaten season to 17-0.
“Last year when I hit seven a few times I just figured there was going to be one game where the dam was going to break,” Smith said. “Tonight was that game.”
Union, which is ranked No. 1 in 4A in the WIAA’s RPI metric, started the second half with a 9-1 run capped by a 3-pointer from Houston Combs. The Titans entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, and buried a series of 3s to seal off the Papermakers’ comeback attempts.
Smith hit two 3s to push the lead two 11 with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, which forced Camas to call a timeout. Some 30 seconds after play resumed, Smith hit another contested 3, and effectively staved off Camas each time it tried to close the deficit.
“I have a pretty green light most of the time,” Smith said, “but after I hit a few, (coach Blake Conley) was definitely letting me have some heat checks.”
Camas tightened its pressure on Smith by face-guarding him feet beyond the 3-point arc, and sometimes sending multiple defenders his way, so Union found 3s elsewhere. Brad Lackey two 3s from the top of the key and Houston Combs hit another to extend the Titans’ lead in the waning minutes.
Union coach Blake Conley credited it to the team’s defense.
“I said if we could get good shots, the points will come, this group can score, so if we got stops we could pull away and that’s what happened, luckily,” Conley said.
A whopping 17 of the Titans’ 31 made field goals were 3-pointers.
Brad Lackey had 15 points, Tanner Toolson scored 13 and Houston Combs added 12 for the Titans. According to Conley, Combs averages over seven assists per game. His offensive output made the difference for Union, Conley said.
Camas was paced by Isaiah Sampson’s 20 points. Mason Tiplett and Carson Bonine added 10 apiece.
When Smith hit his final 3 midway through the fourth quarter, Union called timeout as the student section chanted “that’s a record.” Smith didn’t know he had broken the record until he heard the Titan student section.
The Union senior, who Conley dubs the best shooter he’s ever coached, surpasses a host of talented former Titans with the record.
UNION 82, CAMAS 68
UNION — Brad Lackey 15, Houston Combs 12, Izaiah Vongath 0, Ariya Briscoe 0, Josh Reznick 2, Tanner Toolson 13, Alishawuan Taylor 8, Ethan Smith 28, Ty McCullum 2, Curtis Youngren 2. Totals 31 (17) 3-4 82.+
CAMAS — Carson Bonine 10, Zach Chillian 7, Shane Jamison 4, Titan Phillips 0, Mason Triplett 10, Isaiah Sampson 20, Fox Bessinger 5, Josh McPhun 3, Jackson Clemmer 8. Totals 25 (5) 12-15 68.
Union 19 17 16 30—82
Camas 15 20 9 24—68
JV — Union 55-44
