Union boys cruise into state semifinals

The Union Titans are win away from playing for a state championship. Union used an 18-5 second-quarter run to pull away from Kennedy Catholic Thursday and the Titans went on to a lopsided 73-49 win in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A boys state basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome. The victory advances Union, now …

The Union Titans are win away from playing for a state championship. Union used an 18-5 second-quarter run to pull away from Kennedy Catholic Thursday and the Titans went on to a lopsided 73-49 win in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A boys state basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome. The victory advances Union, now 20-4 on the season, into the semifinals where the Titans will meet Richland (20-5) at 3:45 p.m. Friday. Richland posted a 61-57 win Thursday over Federal Way, the two-time defending state 4A champions.

Union led 18-15 after the first eight minutes of play. Cameron Cranston, the Washington state 4A Player of the Year, opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer and then added another a couple of minutes later to push the Titans’ lead to 11 at 26-15. Union extended the run to 15 straight points, capped off by a pair of free throws by Tyler Combs that put the Titans up by 18 at 33-15. Keithen Shepard capped off the first-half barrage with a 3-pointer that gave Union a 16-point edge (36-20) at halftime. Cranston scored 11 of his team-high 18 points in the first half. The 6-foot-6 senior made seven of his 14 shots from the field, including four of nine from 3-point range. Cranston also had eight rebounds and five assists to complete his all-around effort. Shepard added 17 points for Union on 8-for-13 shooting from the field to go with seven rebounds and five assists. Combs finished with 13 points while making all three of his 3-point attempts and all four of his free throws. Combs also had six rebounds and three assists. Zach Reznick chipped in 11 points and five rebounds for Union.