TACOMA — It hasn’t happened often, but there’s been multiple games this season when the Union Titans have trailed big and rallied to win. Unfortunately, Wednesday wasn’t one of them.
The Titans played catch up all game, including trailing by as many as 16 in early in the second quarter in what was their 60-49 loss to No. 13-seed Glacier Peak in their Round of 12 game Wednesday.
Glacier Peak is the lowest seed to reach the Class 4A girls quarterfinal.
Union’s best season since placing fifth at the 4A state tournament in 2020 includes a 20-5 record, a 4A Greater St. Helens League title and playing in two state games.
The Titans’ season-ending defeat included emotional players exiting their locker room.
“What’s bringing out the emotions is just because we know we worked so hard this year,” junior guard Brooklynn Haywood said, “and we earned everything that we got. We weren’t given everything. This is the hardest group of girls I know and the closest team I’ve ever played for. And it really was like a family out there.”
After surpassing 2,000 career points in an Opening Game loss to Woodinville, Haywood finished with 11 points Wednesday on 3 of 12 shooting.
For a player accustomed to facing different defenses, Glacier Peak kept Haywood in check.
“We had to work really hard for a shot,” Haywood said, “because I had one person following me around and doubling me when I came off a screen or when I went anywhere. I just didn’t have a lot of space.”
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies (18-7) shot 50 percent from the field, getting 19 points from Samantha Thoma, 16 from Brynna Pukis and 13 by Rikki Miller.
When Union made a run, it began with its defense. In the second half, it went to its full-court press and pulled within 44-43 with a bucket by Janessa Chatman (team-best 18 points) with 5:44 to go.
That’s when Glacier Peak hit clutch 3s by Miller and Pukis, who went a combined 8 for 15 from 3-point range. The Grizzlies led 56-46 with 2:40 to play.
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GLACIER PEAK 60, UNION 49
GLACIER PEAK (19-7) — Brynna Pukis 16, Zoey Ritter 4, Dylan Gordon 0, Samantha Thoma 19, Rikki Miller 13, Lillian Riechelson 8. Totals 22 (9) 7-8 60.
UNION (21-5) — Carli Christensen 0, Myla Larry 6, Janessa Chatman 18, Leah Samuel 4, Taylor McCullough 0, Addy Eisfeldt 2, Brooklynn Haywood 11, Jalisa Chatman 8. Totals 16 (7) 10-16 49.
Glacier Peak 21 10 11 18—60
Union 8 16 10 15—49
