AUBURN — The rematch lived up to the hype.
For the second time in just six days, it was a real-life “Clash of the Titans.” This time the Titans of Union were victorious as Mackenzie Lewis hit a pair of late free throws to help Union to a program-first 4A State quarterfinal with a 48-47 win over Todd Beamer on Friday at Auburn Mountainview High School.
“It’s just really special for all our teammates,” Lewis said after the 4A State Regional victory. “We obviously lost the first one against them and we really wanted it. We came back for the W, and we accomplished that.”
Lewis grabbed a rebound and was promptly fouled with 24 seconds left and Union trailing 47-46. With complete confidence from her teammates, she smoothly drained both free throws for a 48-47 lead.
“She’s a great free-throw shooter and I wouldn’t think she’d ever miss those in a game,” teammate Abbey Kaip said.
Mason Oberg blocked a shot on the ensuing possession and with 5.6 ticks left, Union had the lead and the ball. But the Titans of Vancouver couldn’t inbound the ball cleanly, giving Beamer one last shot. Kaip, Ariel Ammentorp and Lewis were in on the defense of Beamer star Aaliyah Alexander, whose shot rolled around the rim before falling away.
“We’ve worked together so hard as a team this year and it’s meant a lot to make it this far,” Kaip said.
Union will play at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Tacoma Dome against an opponent to be determined.
After trailing most of the second half, a transition 3-point attempt from Oberg proved the momentum change Union needed. She was fouled on the shot, sank all three charity shots and the Union deficit shrank to just 38-35 with 6:30 to go.
Kaip followed a minute later with a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 38-38 with 5:30 remaining.
Lewis hit a 3-pointer with 2:57 remaining to again tie the game, this time at 43-43. Ammentorp gave Union its first advantage since the half with 57 seconds left when she collected a feed from Oberg and found a bucket inside for a 46-45 advantage.
Lolo Weatherspoon led Union with 14 points, Lewis added 11 and Oberg finished with nine.
Beamer’s Alexander had a game-high 21 points.
“We learned we just had to execute more and do the little things a little better,” Kaip said of the lessons from last week’s 45-38 loss to Beamer in the bi-district championship. “Tonight we did that.”
UNION 48, TODD BEAMER 47
UNION (20-5) — Lexi Raymore 0, Olivia Euverman 0, Mason Oberg 9, Lolo Weatherspoon 14, Abbey Kaip 8, Kaneyl Carpenter 0, Caitlyn Leake 0, Mackenzie Lewis 11, Sydney Cowling 0, Ariel Ammentorp 5. Totals — 12 (5) 17-24 48.
TODD BEAMER (23-3) — Alisaundria Hardwell 6, Alexus Jackson 0, Sharay Trotter 12, Halo Parks 2, Jayoscia Sears 0, Najahia Forks 5, Aaliyah Alexander 21, Brooklyn Humphrey 0. Totals 16 (1) 11-18 47.
Union 8 12 10 18—48
T. Beamer 12 7 17 11—47
