TACOMA — The outcome wasn’t what the Union Titans wanted nor expected to see, but without question, the 2018-’19 season is a success.
That’s how players and coaches equally felt after a 61-48 loss to Puyallup in Friday morning’s 4A boys consolation game that ended No. 1 Union’s season at 24-3.
“A few rough games,” junior Tanner Toolson said, “and it’s out. It just shows how quickly everything can end. We’ll use it as motivation for next year. I’m just sad I couldn’t bring home a trophy for our seniors.”
Toolson added one more thing.
“We’ll be back next year,” he said.
This week marked the Titans’ fifth consecutive state trip. As the WIAA’s No. 1 RPI team for Class 4A boys, they entered the state tournament with lofty goals of reaching the state title game for the second time in three years, yet fell into the consolation bracket following its 58-55 loss to No. 7 Curtis in Thursday’s quarterfinal.
But for many, Union exceeded expectations by winning its first 22 games and repeating as 4A Greater St. Helens League champions behind a number of new characters.
One of them is Toolson, a first-team all-league player in his inaugural varsity season who poured in 18 points Friday. He also played a key part in the Titans’ 13-0 spurt to cut a once-16-point deficit down to three by the end of the third quarter.
No. 11 Puyallup rushed out to a double-digit lead on Union early, and by the time the 4-minute mark of the third quarter arrived, its lead grew to 37-21.
Union’s will to win wasn’t done. It went on a 13-0 run, behind eight points by Toolson on consecutive 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to help pull the deficit to three entering the fourth quarter.
Never a doubt of a comeback, said senior guard Houston Combs. It just took time.
“That’s just our team,” said Combs, who had five points and four assists in his final high school game. Our team shows so much spirit, and that’s why we’re so special.”
But Union committed four turnovers early in the fourth, yet still cut the deficit to 1 at 49-48 with 1:50 to play. The Vikings (22-8) were in the bonus for much of the fourth quarter and hit 8 of 8 at the line as part of ending the game on a 12-0 run.
A lot of energy poured into the scoring run left little left for a final stretch run, players said.
“We drained all that energy to cut into the lead,” Combs said, “and then we couldn’t make plays at the end.”
Despite not bringing home a trophy, the Titans’ see the success in their season not only in basketball, but also beyond.
“This always will be a cherish in my heart,” Toolson said. “Obviously we had bigger goals, but it’s a successful season with all the memories made and growing as a basketball player and as a person.”
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PUYALLUP 61, UNION 48
PUYALLUP — Cobi Campbell 15, Jacob Holcomb 8, Kendell Munson 15, Jaeden Ingram 8, Dylan Rhoades 4, Marquel Thomas 0, Gibson Hooper 0, Charlie Schoos 0, Luke Holcomb 5, Zane Foster 2, Ethan Lockard 0, LJ Lemalu 0. Totals 18 (4) 21-28 61.
UNION — Brad Lackey 5, Houston Combs 5, Tanner Toolson 18, Alishawuan Taylor 4, Ethan Smith 9, Izaiah Vongnath 0, Ariya Briscoe 3, Josh Reznick 0, Connor Flannigan 0, Mason Hill 2, Ty McCullum 2, Curtis Youngren 0. Totals 19 (6) 4-4 48.
Puyallup 14 14 11 22 – 61
Union 8 8 20 12 – 48
