Make no mistake: the Union Titans have what no other 4A Greater St. Helens League team has, and that’s experience in winning league titles.
If you’ve lost count, the Titans stretched their league-title streak to six on their way to reaching the Class 4A state title game in 2016-17, before falling to Kentwood.
That deep playoff experience is a benefit coach Blake Conley doesn’t take for granted, as the Titans seek league-title No. 7.
“One of the benefits that we have is we have guys who know what it takes to win league championships, go far in the playoffs, go to the Dome and win,” Conley said. “But we also need to make sure we’re not thinking that’s going to come easy. I don’t think I see that in our guys, which is why we’re excited for this season.”
The biggest challenger is Skyview with perhaps coach Matt Gruhler’s best team in his five seasons with the Storm. They feature length and size — a trio of players at 6-foot-5 — plus a blend of shooters and overall athleticism has Skyview in a position to make the state tournament for the first time in the school’s 21-year history.
“That’s all we can think about,” junior guard Alex Schumacher said.
Said Gruhler: “Our guys believe they should be competing with those guys. They have the experience with all the (league titles), but our guys are confident. They put in the off-season work.”
The two teams’ first meeting is Jan. 5 at Skyview.
The 4A GSHL features three new coaches: Ryan Josephson (Camas), Ashton Clark (Heritage) and Manny Melo (Battle Ground).
Josephson and Clark were assistants in their respective programs last season, while Melo returns to his alma mater after two seasons at Hockinson.
Josephson, on coach Skyler Gillispie’s staff the past four years, inherits an almost-new varsity roster filled with the junior-varsity players he coached last season, but already, have picked up the varsity pace quickly.
The culture has changed quickly at Battle Ground under Melo. The Tigers already are closing in on last year’s win total (six).
Heritage hopes to make some surprises under Clark, who took the Timberwolves’ coaching reins weeks before the season began.
Projected finish
(Picks by Columbian sports staff)
1. Union: State player of the year is gone, but Tyler Combs and Zach Reznik still have their shooting touch from 4A state runner-ups.
2. Skyview: Storm have lofty goals to reach state, and well as challenging the Titans for a league title.
3. Camas: Papermakers are a darkhorse with a virtually a new roster gelled quickly for first-year coach Ryan Josephson.
4. Battle Ground: Freshman Kaden Perry (6-foot-8) has been just as impressive as the Tigers are under coach Manny Melo.
5. Heritage: Guard-heavy team looks to build momentum off early nonleague victories.
Individual team previews
Battle Ground: Culture change, fresh start have Tigers thinking big
