To say that the Federal Way High School basketball team has started their season well is putting things mildly. The team is 5-0 and has won each game by at least 24 points so far.
Three of their five wins on the season have been in conference games. They are currently atop the SPSL North division standings. Kentwood is the only other undefeated team, but has only played two conference games.
The Eagles have been high scoring in each of their games this season as they average 93 points per game. They have yet to score under 88 points in a game and managed to top 100 points in the season opener when they defeated Stadium 102–45.
The team is led by the talented senior guard, Vionte Daniels. Daniels is currently averaging 22.8 points per game and scored a season-high 30 against Mount Rainier Tuesday in their 93–61 win.
Daniels is not the only scorer on the team. D’Jimon Jones, Jalen McDaniels, Marcus Stephens and Ferron Flavors all average double-digit points per game on the year.
While games always slow down a bit over the winter break, the team will not spend its entirety at home. From Dec. 26–31, the team will be in Arizona participating in the Visitmesa.com Basketball Challenge.
The Basketball Challenge will feature 16 teams from six different states. Arizona is home to 11 of the schools, while others will come from Pennsylvania, Nevada, California and Illinois. Federal Way will be the lone Washington representative.
Their matchups at the tournament will include a host of teams currently 6-2 on the year. Their marquee matchup will be against Corona del Sol on Dec. 30. Corona Del Sol is currently ranked number 24 by USA Today and is on a 27-game win streak.
Things will not get any easier for the Eagles when they return to league play on Jan. 6. They will face Jefferson who is currently off to a great start as well at 5-1.
Federal Way is looking to return to the state tournament for the first time since the 2009-10 season where they lost in the semi-finals to Jackson High School. They last made the regional tournament in 2012 where they were also eliminated by Jackson.
Their hot start may be a sign that the drought is coming to an end for the Eagles.
