The Union boys basketball team completed a perfect non-league schedule with another impressive performance.
The Titans brought its pressure, intensity and pinpoint shooting to bear Saturday in rolling past Gonzaga Prep of Spokane 77-59 to complete non-league play at 12-0.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Gonzaga Prep or Mount Si or anyone, we’re going to play the same way,” Union coach Blake Conley said. “We are going to pressure the ball and push the ball up the court.”
The Titans’ high-octane style shot them out to an early 11-2 lead behind seven points from Ariya Briscoe and four from Tanner Toolson.
Gonzaga Prep would twice cut the deficit to two points — at 11-9 and 25-23. But Toolson hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter to extend Union’s lead to 43-32 at halftime.
The Titans would keep the lead at double digits most of the second half with Toolson finishing with a game-high 30 points.
“We were focusing on having higher energy than they were, and going out a playing better than them as a whole,” Toolson said. “Be better than than them as a team. Beat them as a team, not just one person.”
Briscoe finished with 14 points and four other Titans added at least six points. Union hit eight 3-pointers, led by Toolson’s four.
“We like to keep the intensity up all game,” Conley said. “We’ve got good depth, so we can throw a lot of different guys at people.”
Liam Lloyd led the Bullpups with 18 points.
Union opens 4A Greater St. Helens League play on Tuesday at Camas.
UNION 77, GONZAGA PREP 59
GONZAGA PREP — Liam Lloyd 18, Daniel McKeirnan 4, Connor Kiepe 3, Joe Few 2, Hodges Flemming 12, Liam Butte 0, Aidan VanBuchwaldt 8, Will Reeves 8, Jaden Ortega 0, Aiden Prado 4. Totals 22 (5) 9-15 59.
UNION — Aiden Lies 0, Brady Lackey 7, Ty McCullum 7, Tanner Toolson 30, Mason Hill 6, Izaiah Vongnath 3, Ariya Brisoce 14, Josh Reznick 0, Kaden Horn 8, Connor Flannigan 2, Spencer McGuire 0. Totals 31 (8) 7-11 77.
G. Prep 16 16 10 17–59
Union 23 20 16 18–77
