Union’s Toolson is Washington’s Mr. Basketball

La Center’s Hunter Ecklund named 1A Player of the Year

Mr. Basketball lives in Clark County.

And another Player of the Year is from the county, too.

Tanner Toolson of Union has been named Mr. Basketball by the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association.

Tanner Toolson, shown here cutting down the net Saturday after Union’s win in the bi-district title game, has another reason to celebrate. The Washington coaches named him the state’s Mr. Basketball. Photo by Mike Schultz
Tanner Toolson, shown here cutting down the net Saturday after Union’s win in the bi-district title game, has another reason to celebrate. The Washington coaches named him the state’s Mr. Basketball. Photo by Mike Schultz

The senior is averaging 24.1 points per game to go with 8.8 rebounds. He scored 32 in Saturday’s victory over Battle Ground in the bi-district championship game as Union remained undefeated.

The Titans, 24-0, are the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Class 4A state basketball tournament. 

The WIBCA also honored La Center’s Hunter Ecklund as the Class 1A state Player of the Year. 

La Center senior Hunter Ecklund was named the Class 1A boys basketball state Player of the Year by the coaches association. Photo by Mike Schultz
La Center senior Hunter Ecklund was named the Class 1A boys basketball state Player of the Year by the coaches association. Photo by Mike Schultz

The Wildcats, who finished second in the Trico League, won the District 4 title on Saturday with an overtime victory over Seton Catholic. 

La Center earned the No. 10 seed for the state tournament.

Ecklund became the school’s all-time leading scorer Saturday night when he totalled 28 points in La Center’s district title game. 

Both players will open state tournament play at Battle Ground High School on Saturday.

Union will take on Gonzaga Prep at 2 p.m. in a state regional seeding game. La Center plays at 6 p.m. against Bear Creek in a state regional elimination game.