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Union falls to Curtis 49-40 in 4A boys state semifinal

Titans will play Olympia for third place on Saturday

By Meg Wochnick, Columbian staff writer
Published: March 4, 2022, 10:29pm
3 Photos
Union's Josiah Baldassare tries to shoot over a pair of Curtis defenders in a 4A State Boys Basketball semifinal on  Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Tacoma Dome.
Union's Josiah Baldassare tries to shoot over a pair of Curtis defenders in a 4A State Boys Basketball semifinal on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Tacoma Dome. (Joshua Hart/For The Columbian) Photo Gallery

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.”

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.

22 Photos
Union's Jamison Limbrick is introduced before a 4A State Boys Basketball semifinal on  Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Tacoma Dome.
4A state boys basketball: Union vs. Curtis Photo Gallery

Union 8 13 11 8—40

Curtis 16 10 13 10—49

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