State hoops: Eagles fall in round of 12

Federal Way boys basketball team is sent home in 55-47 loss to Skyview.

By Benjamin Ray • February 29, 2024 11:20 am

Since taking over the program in 2018, Federal Way High School boys basketball head coach Yattah Reed has taken his Eagles to the state tournament every year.

This year was no different. The NPSL regular season runner-up and district semifinalist Eagles were on the right track.

After stumbling out of the gate, the Eagles found themselves playing their best basketball at the end of the season, beating would-be league champs Tahoma and winning their winner-to-state district game over Puyallup.

But entering the tournament, the Eagles struggled to find themselves, a relatively inexperienced team aside from senior Kofi Peyton. After falling to Gonzaga Prep in the regional round, the Eagles were set to dance with the Skyview Storm in the round of 12 at the Tacoma Dome.

The Eagles fell 55-47 in a brutal battle to the buzzer, a game that the Eagles seemed to control for the majority of the contest on Feb. 28.

“It’s tough. We worked the whole season really for this. We came up short. I am proud of my teammates and proud of my seniors for trying as hard as they can,” said senior Kofi Peyton.

“It’s an unfortunate feeling that is going to burn for a little bit,” said coach Yattah Reed.

In the opening period, the two sides were playing competitive basketball. Both sides were looking for ways to expose each other on the offensive side of the ball. Federal Way took the 13-12 advantage with Kofi Peyton making a pair of three-point shots.

Peyton, being the lone returning starter, a senior and captain took it upon himself to spark the Eagle offense.

“Kofi has grown leaps and bounds from the day he came to us to where he is now,” Reed said.

At halftime, Federal Way was on top 27-24. The Eagles were still searching for some offensive identity that was just a bit off.

The ever-steady CJ Bible from the bench provided some extra offense for the Eagles, but in the second half Skyview stormed their way to a lead.

Federal Way was held to just 20 second half points, while Skyview scored 15 points just off three-pointers alone in the final half.

Federal Way trailed 36-33 into the fourth quarter, and Mason Thomas tried to will the Eagles back in the game. But the supporting cast couldn’t help out the 2024 NPSL MVP. Thomas and Peyton have grown close over the 2024 season, and the loss is a painful way for the Eagles to end their 2024 campaign.

“He’s my guy. I love Mason… We built a special bond., I’m proud of Mason and what he’s become,” Peyton said.

“That’s Mason… He’s just going to play as hard as he can to the last game,” Reed said.

He scored eight fourth quarter points, which just wasn’t enough. as the Eagles fell in their first game at state for the second time in the last three years.