Cameron Cranston scores 20 as Union rallies to beat Issaquah, 60-57, for fourth place

Union’s plan was to foul Issaquah on the final possession, with the Titans leading by three with nine seconds to play.

Union tried, but Issaquah’s Jason Crandall fired a running shot from a few steps behind the 3-point line that fell short.

He didn’t get a foul call and the Titans secured the rebound to win, 60-57, and secure fourth place in the 4A state boys basketball tournament on Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.

“I tried to get hands on him. I was lucky they didn’t call the foul on the shot,” said Union junior guard Kethen Shepard, who gave the Titans their first lead of the game with 54 seconds remaining. “It worked out.”

Said Union coach Blake Conley: “I told the referee we were going to try to foul right around halfcourt … they ended up not calling it. It’s not how we drew it up as a coaching staff at the end, but we got the win.”

Union (24-3) earned its second state trophy in two years (placing third last year after a 61-58 loss to Federal Way in the semifinals) and its fifth since 2009.

Junior forward Cameron Cranston led the Titans with 20 points and Nico Bricker had 12 — including a late steal that led to Shepard’s layup.

Junior guard Trevon Ary-Turner led Issaquah with 19 points. The Eagles (22-5) led by as many as 13 points before Union turned up the pressure and rallied, forcing 19 turnovers.

“Those kids just played with a lot of heart,” Union coach Blake Conley said. “We are not the most talented team here, but they just played with so much heart and unity. It’s a special team.”

Issaquah earned the sixth-place trophy, reaching the game with a win over Central Valley following its state-quarterfinal loss to Kentwood.

This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Cameron Cranston scores 20 as Union rallies to beat Issaquah, 60-57, for fourth place."