BATTLE GROUND — Jamison Limbrick was a junior-varsity player two years ago for the Union Titans when he got the opportunity to sit on the varsity bench at the 2020 4A boys basketball state tournament.
The experience was well worth it, he said. So, after the Titans’ 56-46 victory Saturday over Mariner of Everett at 4A regionals, the senior and first-year varsity starter said the feeling of clinching a 4A state quarterfinal berth was everything he thought it’d be.
“Oh, 100 percent,” Limbrick said. “It may be a bit better.”
Bryson Metz scored a game-high 22 points, Yanni Fassillis added 12 and Limbrick chipped in 10 to help the Titans go straight to next week’s 4A state quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome.
Given some of the question marks for Union entering the season with a lack of depth and returning varsity experience, head coach Blake Conley said his team earning a No. 3 regional seed and earning its way to a state quarterfinal berth is a rewarding one.
“I love every guy we have,” the coach said, “and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Three players — Limbrick, Evan Eschels and Porter Hill — are all first-time varsity players and starters. All three began their careers as C-team players, and spent the past two years on JV. For Jamison, it took time for chemistry for come to fruition.
“I think there were a lot of people who didn’t think they would get this far,” Limbrick said, “but the way we meshed together and figured out each others’ playing style really helped us get to this point.”
Against the Marauders on Saturday, players and coaches admitted to not playing their best game. The Titans committed 21 turnovers.
Despite that, Union led by as many as 14 in the first half. It held a 33-27 halftime lead before Mariner went on a 13-3 run to open the third quarter to cut a double-digit deficit to 36-30 at the 3:51 mark of the third.
Limbrick had all 10 of his points after halftime, including back-to-back field goals to push the lead to 48-37 inside 4 minutes to play.
Metz, Union’s senior point guard, is the only Union player with Dome playing experience. He played in the Class 1A state tournament in Yakima for King’s Way Christian in 2018 and 2019.
He continues to be impressed with the growth and development.
“The grit we have is like no other team,” Metz said. “It shows how much they can step up and contribute to the team. It’s been really incredible to see.”
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UNION 56, MARINER 46
MARINER — Isaiah Cuellar 5, Tijan Saine 7, Jailin Johnson 0, Dakota Joseph 10, Naser Motley 14, Makai Bloomfield 10. Totals 16 (6) 4-9 46.
UNION — Jamison Limbrick 10, Bryson Metz 22, Evan Eschels 7, Porter Hill 0, Yanni Fassillis 12, Josiah Baldassare 4. Totals 20 (1) 14-19 56.
Mariner 11 6 14 15 — 46
Union 16 14 11 15 — 56
