BRUSH PRAIRIE – To cut the final string on the basketball net, everyone on the Union boys basketball team played a role.
Together, they lifted Brad Lackey onto the ladder, stabilizing him and his bulky knee brace as he cut the cord and put the net around his neck.
Then Lackey, who suffered a season-ending knee injury less than a month ago, led one of the loudest cheers that followed Union’s 82-57 win over Battle Ground in the bi-district championship game Saturday.
It was fitting that everyone, including a senior captain like Lackey, played a role in that final cut. Saturday’s win was a complete team effort for the top-ranked squad in the 4A state RPI rankings.
Led by Tanner Toolson’s 32 points, the Titans (24-0) overwhelmed the Tigers (14-10) in an intense, fast-paced game in a packed Prairie High gym.
It’s Union’s second bi-district title, the first coming in 2009.
“It’s hard to make history at Union, so these guys knew it was something they wanted and treated really seriously,” Union coach Blake Conley said.
Now it’s on to the state tournament for Union. The Titans will learn their regional opponent on Sunday and are guaranteed a berth in the final 12 at the Tacoma Dome. Battle Ground, which entered Saturday No. 14 in the RPI, will need to win its regional game next weekend to reach Tacoma.
Whether it was Toolson’s scoring, the Titans’ swarming defense, or an adrenaline-pumping dunk by Josh Reznick, Union was firing on all cylinders Saturday.
On Jan. 28, the last time Union and Battle Ground met, the Tigers gave the Titans one of their toughest tests. Union overcame a four-point deficit in the final 10 seconds to win 73-72.
That was also the game when Lackey, a first-team all-leaguer, suffered his knee injury.
Since then, the Titans haven’t missed a beat. Union’s players say that’s due to Lackey’s continued presence, as well as the team’s depth.
“Brad’s leadership is still with us,” Reznick said. “Every practice he’s there. He’s giving us his input and showing us clips and film. He’s still with us and guys are stepping up.”
Reznick did more than step up late in the first quarter. He elevated over Battle Ground’s 6-foot-9 Gonzaga commit Kaden Perry to throw down a one-handed dunk.
“I got past my guy, and at that point I knew I was going to dunk,” Reznick said. “Maybe not knowing Kaden was there, I just went for it and gave 100 percent.”
Reznick’s drive was typical of the Titans’ aggressive approach on Saturday. Instead of settling for outside shots, they drove into the key and dared Perry to defend.
“Last time we played a little passive,” Conley said. “That led to us shooting some bad shots. Kaden Perry is obviously an amazing player and great shot blocker. But we said if he’s not in your direct sight, attack the rim. Our mentality tonight was awesome.”
Perry finished with 27 points, but got little support. He scored all but five of Battle Ground’s points in the first half, which ended with Union up 41-21.
Toolson, meanwhile, was on fire. He scored Union’s first 13 points of the second quarter and had 22 by halftime.
Then, the senior began the second half by making two consecutive 3-pointers, which basically put the game away.
“He was in control of himself,” Conley said of Toolson. “He shot when it was a good shot and he made the right pass. He was great tonight.”
Toolson was more proud of the team’s performance as a whole. Kaden Horn scored 16 points, Mason Hill added 12, while Reznick and Ty McCullum scored 8 apiece.
When the Titans play like they did on Saturday, they’re tough to beat.
“We’re playing well as teammates,” Toolson said. “The biggest thing is we’re together as a group. It’s not one on five, it’s five on five.”
