CAMAS — When Myla Larry’s 3-pointer swished by way of the web with two minutes left to play Friday, giving the Union women basketball crew a 21-point lead over Camas, a realization hit residence for Brooklynn Haywood.
“That’s when I knew we won it,” mentioned Haywood, a junior.
Right here had been the Titans, already driving excessive after beating the Papermakers one evening earlier at residence to snap an eight-game dropping streak to their rivals. However to again up that outcome by successful the rubber match on Camas’ residence flooring carried additional that means.
The ultimate seconds ticked off the clock, the Union scholar part rushed the ground, and the feelings started to sink in for Union gamers and coaches as they celebrated a 76-54 win.
“When those seconds were dwindling down, I just started crying. It was just a bunch of happy tears. It was really overwhelming,” Haywood mentioned. “Just super proud of my team.”
“A lot of emotion in those last couple seconds. I’m just so glad we got the win,” Larry added.
Mixed with Thursday’s 68-43 win, Union (16-2, 4-1) overtook Camas (15-5, 4-2) for first place within the 4A Better St. Helens League standings. With two regular-season video games left, the Titans management their very own future for a league title.
A bit of greater than 24 hours after their earlier assembly, Union confronted a distinct wrinkle with return of Camas seniors (and main scorers) Keirra Thompson and Sophie Buzzard, each of whom missed Thursday’s recreation with accidents.
Fortuitously for Union coach Gary Mills and the Titans, they already had a recreation plan in place from the day earlier than that was scratched after they realized Thompson and Buzzard would sit. Mills took an image of the whiteboard Thursday evening and transported it to Camas to make use of Friday.
“We had great prep for this, I liked our game plan (and) I liked how last night gave us confidence,” Mills mentioned. “Sure, they were missing a couple of their better players, but somehow, it gave us some confidence that we could do the same thing. I just felt like it didn’t matter who they suited up tonight, that we could find a way to get it done.”
With Union intent on doubling Camas star level guard Thompson, who completed with 12 factors, Buzzard (21 factors) had the new hand early to identify Camas a lead within the opening minutes of the primary quarter.
The Titans led from the closing seconds of the primary quarter onward when Addy Eisfeldt hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to interrupt a 15-15 tie.
Union took a 33-27 lead into halftime, with Janessa Chatman (13 factors) and Jalise Chatman (12 factors) combining to attain 12 of the Titans’ 15 factors within the second quarter.
The third quarter was the place the Titans made their transfer. Their protection held Camas to at least one subject purpose over four-and-a-half minutes whereas constructing a double-digit lead.
Leah Samuel, who gave Union high quality minutes off the bench, hit a 3-pointer to place Union forward 42-30. Then got here Haywood, Union’s main scorer with 23 factors, hitting two clutch 3-pointers to place Union forward 55-37 with a minute left within the third.
“I thought she was great tonight at letting the game come to her at about the time that Camas started to pay attention to our other players a little bit,” Mills mentioned. “Boom, she got loose, and we’re really tough when we’ve got her doing her thing and then other people (are) chiming in too.”
“I knew that if we came out punching in the third quarter, we were going to be just fine,” Haywood added. “They obviously had two, three people on me, they have to do that, so when they did that, I trusted my teammates. Once they started hitting and (Camas) had to adjust to that, then I started going.”
Larry hit a baseline jumper to shut a 24-13 quarter for the Titans, then began the fourth with a steal on a cross-court move which the sophomore took all the way in which for a layup. Along with 17 factors, Larry had seven rebounds and 4 steals.
“We were just playing off each other,” Larry mentioned, “and when Brooklynn was able to go off, it was just a much better game for everyone.”
A second like Friday had been years within the making after the Titans got here up on the quick finish of the final two 4A GSHL titles to Camas.
The sensation of seeing their arduous work rewarded with two essential wins is one thing gamers and coaches can carry ahead.
“We’ve gone through a lot this season, a lot of obstacles,” Haywood mentioned, “so beating them on their court, especially after that first game (Jan. 10) when it was a little rough for us … it meant a lot.”
UNION 76, CAMAS 54
UNION — Carli Christensen 0, Myla Larry 17, Janessa Chatman 13, Leah Samuel 7, Taylor McCullough 0, Addy Eisfeldt 4, Brooklynn Haywood 23, Jalise Chatman 12. Totals 28 (11) 9-12 76.
CAMAS — De’Chaiya Light 6, Sophie Buzzard 21, Baylie Farra 2, Lauren Hood 13, Keirra Thompson 12, Eliana Gibson 0, Lila McCarthy 0, Isla Lucero 0. Totals 20 (10) 4-5 54.
Union 18 15 24 19—76
Camas 15 12 13 14—54