TACOMA — Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Union Titans — a program that’s making its seventh consecutive Class 4A state tournament appearance in boys basketball — is a winner in their opening game at the Tacoma Dome.
There’s plenty of new faces with four new starters this season, including three first-time varsity players as starters, and the Titans’ veteran-like poise led them to a 57-41 convincing quarterfinal victory over Kamiakin on Thursday.
“We weren’t fazed — we were ready for the moment,” junior forward Yanni Fassillis said, “and we stepped up.”
And stepped up, the Titans did. They led start to finish, shot 50 percent from the field, and held the Braves out of Kennewick to their lowest point total of the season.
For the second straight state tournament, Union (21-5) is in the 4A state semifinals. It faces the winner of Thursday’s late 4A quarterfinal between Curtis and Gonzaga Prep at Friday’s 9 p.m. semifinals. The 2020 Union team also reached the state semifinals and placed third.
Bryson Metz added 16 points, six rebounds and zero turnovers, and Evan Eschels chipped in 12 points.
Not many current Titans have state tournament playing experience. Eschels and Jamison Limbrick do in minimal Tacoma Dome roles on the 2020 third-place team. Metz does have plenty of Dome experience — just not in Tacoma. He was a freshman for 1A King’s Way Christian when the Knight reached the 1A state title game in 2019 in Yakima.
What impressed the senior point guard of Thursday’s team performance centered around the Titans’ role players.
“Guys stepped up when somebody’s name was called, and that’s not new for our team,” Metz said.
There was Eschels, who had five of his eight rebounds in the opening minutes of the game, and was efficient from the floor (5 of 7 shooting). Also Josiah Baldassare, who came up with two clutch field goals in 15 minutes off the bench. His second field goal for an old-fashioned 3-point play opportunity on a pass from Metz gave Union a 46-37 advantage to start the fourth quarter. Union never relinquished its double-digit lead after that; its largest lead came at 56-39.
And Union’s defense dazzled all game. It held Kamiakin to 32 percent shooting (16 of 50) and its star forward, 6-foot-8 Oregon State commit Tyler Bilodeau, to a hard-earned 15 points on 6 for 18 shooting. This after a 28-point performance in Kamiakin’s first-round victory Wednesday.
The Braves entered Wednesday with four games scoring 90 or more points.
“That’s a high-powered offense that we shut down,” head coach Blake Conley said. “It was cool to see.”
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UNION 57, KAMIAKIN 41
KAMIAKIN — Brock Springen 3, Nate Gray Jr. 5, Fabrian Hernandez 2, Peter Dress 10, Jacob BIlodeau 0, Javier Sideregts 0, Ethan Riley 0, Keltic Merrill 0, Jake Schumacher 0, Tre Arland 6, Tyler Bilodeau 15, Zae’vion Gladney 0. Totals 16 (6) 3-4 41.
UNION — Kindrick Aragon 0, Jamison Limbrick 0, Bryson Metz 16, Evan Eschels 12, Samair Thompson 0, Nolan Frazier 0, Porter Hill 2, Ethan Carter 0, Tucker Dunseth 0, Evan Mansfille 0, Yanni Fassillis 21, Josiah Baldassare 4. Totals 24 (2) 7-13 57
Kam. 12 13 12 4 – 41
Uni. 15 17 12 13 – 57
