TACOMA — Nothing came easy for the Union Titans on Friday night.
Not points, not shooting, not free throws, and certainly not detailing with a Class 4A state semifinal defeat.
Instead of rehashing what went wrong in a 49-40 state semifinal loss to Curtis at the Tacoma Dome, the Titans instead focused on the task that’s next: a shot at third place Saturday.
While it’s another opportunity to end the season on a win, ultimately, senior Evan Eschels said, “We fell short of what we wanted.”
Union entered Friday on the heels of one of its best performances of the season — a 57-41 convincing quarterfinal victory over Kamiakin. It was seeking its third berth in a state title game in program history, having won in 2010 (3A) and placed second in 2017. Instead, will play Olympia in the 1 p.m. Saturday third/fifth-place game.
It’s the program’s second straight semifinal loss; the 2020 Titans also placed third.
Friday’s semifinal was a 4A bi-district rematch from Feb. 17 when Curtis edged Union, 60-57. In that game, Curtis raced out to a large lead early before Union stormed back before the Vikings ultimately hung on.
This go-around, Curtis led start to finish. The Vikings jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead by converting on its first three shot attempts. Union trailed by as many 10 in the first half before cutting the deficit to 25-21 at halftime on a steal and floater by Bryson Metz.
The deficit reached 37-25 at one stretch, yet Union stayed within striking distance throughout behind the play of Yanni Fassillis (17 points, seven rebounds) and Bryson Metz (11 points). Eschels also added a team-best 12 rebounds to go along with eight points.
Metz hit 1 of 2 free throws inside 2 minutes to play that made it a one-possession game at 43-40. Yet on the next Curtis possession, Devin Whitten drilled a 24-footer and a Union foul was called. He also converted the free throw to push the Curtis lead to 47-40 with 1:23 left.
Whitten’s play was a momentum killer for Union, senior Jamison Limbrick said.
“We were right there,” he said, “and that play completely flipped the momentum. … From there it was game over.”
While Union only committed 10 turnovers and outrebounded Curtis 34-30, it went 6 for 15 at the free throw line.
Nine missed points in a nine-point loss.
“It’s all controllable and things we could’ve done better,” Limbrick said. “We’re not trying to miss, but it’s those little things here and there.”
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CURTIS 49, UNION 40
UNION — Jamison Limbrick 2, Bryson Metz 11, Evan Eschels 8, Porter Hill 2, Evan Manville 0, Yanni Fassillis 17, Josiah Baldassare 0. Totals 17-46 (0-7) 6-15 40.
CURTIS — Tyce Paulsen 9, Gabe Martin 0, Zoom Diallo 4, Cinque Maxwell 13, Trent Williams 7, Devin Whitten 16. Totals 19-45 (7-21) 4-8 49.
Union 8 13 11 8—40
Curtis 16 10 13 10—49
