The Thomas Jefferson Raiders raised some eyebrows by upsetting the third-ranked Beamer Titans in their first game of the season and blasting the Stadium Tigers two nights later.
But the doubters wanted to see more before calling the Raiders a contender in the rugged South Puget Sound League North Division.
Jefferson took another step forward Friday night by knocking off the Auburn Trojans, 60-56, in both teams’ SPSL North openers at Auburn High School.
Jefferson used a balanced attack to upend the Trojans, who have been a perennial playoff team in the North Division for a number of years. The Raiders finished with four players in double figures and had six players tally at least seven points against Auburn.
Jeff Baklund led the way with 13 points, followed by 11 from senior Jeff Brigham, who came into the game averaging 25 points. Seniors Spencer Hicks and Justin Lanier both chipped in 10 points each.
Just like they’ve done in their previous two non-league victories this year, the Raiders took control of the game during the opening quarter. This time, Jefferson rolled out to an 18-7 lead over the Trojans.
Auburn fought back in the second and third quarters to cut the Jefferson lead to just five entering the fourth quarter. But the Raiders did everything they needed to do in the final eight minutes to secure the SPSL North victory.
Jefferson’s next three games are against Kent-Meridian, Kentlake and Tahoma. All three teams finished below the Raiders during last year’s SPSL North regular season. Jefferson’s first test against the SPSL elite will come Dec. 15, when they host the sixth-ranked Kentwood Conquerors.
In other boys basketball action:
Federal Way 79, at Auburn Riverside 41 — The top-ranked Eagles were just too much for the Auburn Riverside Ravens Friday night in Auburn. The Eagles (2-0 overall) outscored the Ravens 23-6 during the first quarter and continued to add to the lead from there.
Federal Way had four players score in double figures during the win, led by the 19 of senior guard Isiah Umipig. Cole Dickerson added 16 points, George Williams finished with 14 and Robert Christopher chipped in 13.
The Eagle defense held Auburn to just 13 points in the first half of play and led 38-13 at the break. Federal Way held Auburn Riverside star Ryan Rogers to 10 points. Rogers was a first-team, All-SPSL North selection a season ago.
at Beamer 73, Emerald Ridge 60 — After struggling through the first half against Emerald Ridge, the Todd Beamer Titans outscored the Jaguars 45-29 in the third and fourth quarters to open their SPSL South season with a victory. Emerald Ridge led 31-28 at halftime Friday night.
Beamer got a huge game from guard Terelle Loggins, a transfer from Spanaway Lake. The senior finished with 26 points to lead the Titans. Beamer also got double-digits from junior Napa Mefi with 13 points and 11 from senior Kevin Davis.
Decatur 83, at Spanaway Lake 71 — The Gators got huge games from junior Jerron Smith and senior Jordan McCloud during their 12-point win over Spanaway Lake Friday night.
The 6-foot-3 Smith finished with 30 points and McCloud ended up with 25 points. The twosome were the only Decatur players in double figures Friday against Spanaway.
The Gators took control of the game during the first quarter after outscoring the Sentinels 20-12.
