TACOMA — The Union girls basketball team got its first win at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday.
And it just happened to send the Titans to their first state semifinal appearance, too.
The Titans topped Moses Lake, 56-51, in Thursday’s Class 4A girls state quarterfinal to advance to Friday’s semifinals. It’ll face Central Valley at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Tacoma Dome.
“It’s crazy for us,” senior point guard Mason Oberg said. “Getting to the quarterfinals made history, so the semis is just even bigger. We’re all so pumped to be in this position and all worked so hard and are really excited to see how we finish.”
Oberg had a game-high 21 points and Lolo Weatherspoon added 15 for the Titans.
And that finish Oberg referenced can be applied to Thursday’s win over the Chiefs.
No lead felt safe, even when Union (21-5) led by as many as nine at 48-39 as part of a quick 6-0 spurt with field goals by Oberg, Mackenzie Lewis and Abbey Kaip to start the fourth quarter.
But Moses Lake (20-4) closed the game late to regain a lead at 51-50 with 1:21 to play.
Perhaps the biggest shot of Union’s season is one Kaip said she’ll certainly never forget.
Union led 52-51 when Kaip was fouled with 26 seconds to play. That sent the junior guard to the line for 1-and-1.
When she missed her first free throw, the tip off the rebound from Lewis found its way to Kaip, who drove the lane on the right side to finish off the glass.
Kaip’s heads-up play gave Union breathing room. She finished with seven points on 3-of-12 shooting.
“Why not take it,” Kaip said, “and make it. … I’ll probably never forget the experience in this game.”
That pushed Union’s lead to 54-51. On the ensuing possession after a timeout, Moses Lake’s chance to tie it with a corner 3-pointer was off the mark.
Sarah Litchford sealed it for Union with two free throws in the closing seconds.
Union’s state history is brief in girls basketball. This week is the girls’ second appearance at the Tacoma Dome.
For Oberg, this is her third state appearance of her prep career. Washougal reached state in Oberg’s freshman year before transferring to Union.
Oberg and the Titans reached the Tacoma Dome for the first time in program history in 2018, losing in the round-of-12 to league-rival Camas.
Now, Union is guaranteed a state trophy. Oberg said she believed from the start this year’s Titans is a state semifinal team.
Now, they’ve proved it.
“We had a few rough patches, a few losses that really stung,” Oberg said. “But I think we proved to a lot of teams we had the potential now we’re just getting it done.
“We’re proving ourselves once again.”
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UNION 56, MOSES LAKE 51
MOSES LAKE — Anna Olson 12, Gabi Rios 2, Camille Carpenter 9, Madisyn Clark 7, Meagan Karstetter 10, Olivia Waites 7, Olivia Mayo 2, Carlie Gregg 0, Farrya Sandmann 2. Totals 24 (6) 9-19 51.
UNION — Mason Oberg 21, Lolo Weatherspoon 15, Abbey Kaip 7, Mackenzie Lewis 4, Sarah Litchfield 6, Lexi Raymore 0, Olivia Euverman 0, Kaneyl Carpenter 0, Ariel Ammentorp 3, Caitlyn Leake 0. Totals 25 (4) 10-13 56.
Moses Lake 11 14 14 12 – 51
Union 12 15 14 15 – 56
