2009-10 Boys Basketball Preview: Federal Way teams at a glance and 10 SPSL players to watch

By Casey Olson • December 1, 2009 12:22 pm
Beamer junior guard Napa Mefi led the Titans to the school's first-ever appearance at the Class 4A State Boys Basketball Championships last year. Mefi averaged 15 points a game as a sophomore.
Beamer junior guard Napa Mefi led the Titans to the school's first-ever appearance at the Class 4A State Boys Basketball Championships last year. Mefi averaged 15 points a game as a sophomore.

Decatur Gators

Coach: Kevin Olson (10th year)

Last year’s record: 21-6 (first in SPSL South)

Key returners: Sr. Jordan McCloud, 6-6, 13.6 points, 8.9 rebounds; Jr. Jerron Smith, 6-3, 15.8 points, 3.8 rebonds; Jr. Terrell Williams, 5-11, 5.6 points, 2.4 assists.

Strong newcomers: Sr. Robert Oliver, 6-2; Sr. JT Koontz, 6-8 (transfer from Federal Way); Sr. Dom Samuels, 6-4, (transfer from Life Christian).

Beamer Titans

Coach: Brent Brilhante (2nd year)

Last year’s record: 14-13 (fifth in SPSL South)

Key returners: Sr. Kevin Davis, 6-8, 17.2 points, 15 rebounds; Jr. Napa Mefi, 6-0, 15.1 points; Sr. Vladi Aficiuc, 5-10, 11.4 points; Jr. Max Aficiuc, 5-10, 2.9 points; Jr. Anthony Moore; Jr. Mac Gridley.

Strong newcomers: Sr. Terelle Loggins, 6-0, 20.7 points at Spanaway Lake; Sr. Lorenzo Holcomb; Soph. Thomas Rhodes.

Federal Way Eagles

Coach: Jerome Collins (26th year)

Last year’s record: 27-2 (Class 4A state champions)

Key returners: Sr. Cole Dickerson, 6-7, 17.5 points; Sr. Isiah Umipig, 6-0, 8 points; Sr. Robert Christopher, 6-4, 5 points; Sr. George Williams, 6-3, 2.4 points.

Strong newcomer: Sr. Tyrell Lewis, 6-3, (transfer from Mt. Rainier).

Thomas Jefferson Raiders

Coach: Kyle Templeton (1st year)

Last year’s record: 7-13 (sixth in SPSL North)

Key returners: Sr. Eric Radford, 6-5, 4.6 points; Sr. Spencer Hicks, 6-7, 2.5 points; Sr. Justin Lanier, 6-2, 6.4 points; Sr. Scott Sanford, 5-10, 4.2 points.

Strong newcomers: Sr. Jeff Brigham, 6-1; Sr. Jeff Baklund, 6-3; Sr. Danny Shin, 6-0.

TEN SPSL PLAYERS TO WATCH

NAME/SCHOOL/POSITION/YEAR

Josh Smith/Kentwood/Center/Senior

Notable: 6-10, 285-pound UCLA-bound senior is worth price of admission.

Gary Bell/Kentridge/Guard/Junior

Notable: Dynamic guard already has offers from UW, Cal and Gonzaga. Has eye on league MVP.

Christian Behrens/Tahoma/Forward/Junior

Notable: 6-8 junior averaged 21 points, 10 boards per game last year. Being recruited by UW among others.

Cole Dickerson/Federal Way/Forward/Senior

Notable: 6-7 senior averaged 17.5 points per game last year. Already signed with the University of San Francisco.

Isiah Umipig/Federal Way/Guard/Senior

Notable: Lightning-quick guard is deadly with ball in his hands. Headed to Cal State Fullerton next year.

Ryan Rogers/Auburn Riverside/Guard/Senior

Notable: When Rogers gets going, he’s one of the best shooters around.

Kevin Davis/Beamer/Forward/Senior

Notable: Fifth-year senior has Division I talent after averaging 16.3 points, 15.3 rebounds and 4.1 blocked shots a game.

Jerron Smith/Decatur/Guard/Junior

Notable: Silky-smooth scorer averaged 15.7 points and was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection as a sophomore.

Napa Mefi/Beamer/Guard/Junior

Notable: Streaky shooter who led Beamer to its first-ever state tournament last year. Averaged 15.1 points, including 28 in state-clinching win over Bellarmine.

Jordan McCloud/Decatur/Forward/Senior

Notable: Has a highly developed post game. Averaged 13.6 points and nine rebounds last year.