Eagles win streak reaches 47 with win over Gators

Rashon Slaughter still has the VHS tape his father Cortez Slaughter gave him growing up.

On it are highlights of NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller’s 1993 game where he set the Indiana Pacers’ scoring record for points in a game. Slaughter idolized the performance, watching the tape over and over.

Now a senior and starting small forward for the Federal Way Eagles basketball program, Slaughter produced a memorable performance in the Eagles’ 78-43 win on Dec. 6 over the Decatur Golden Gators at Federal Way High School, notching the program’s 47th consecutive regular season win.

Slaughter led Federal Way with 28 points, two rebounds, one block and one steal.

He wears No. 31 in honor of Miller and goes by the name “Little Reggie,” touted by the Eagles’ faithful.

His open shooting stance and follow through mirror Miller’s, even down to the wrist tape on his left wrist. Slaughter was quick to give humble praise to those who helped model his playing career and appearance after Miller.

“My dad put me onto him,” Slaughter said of Miller. “It’s an old man’s game, it’s simple and it works. I idolize him, I study him. He’s the man.”

Like Miller did during his 57-point performance, Slaughter wasted little time getting started. Two minutes into the first quarter Slaughter took a pass on the left elbow from Federal Way (4-0, 2-0) point guard Marcus Stephens and converted the contested three. The bucket put the Eagles up 11-6 and forced Decatur (1-2, 0-2) coach David Choi to call timeout.

Within the first seven minutes of the game, Slaughter had nine points, and he reached 20 by halftime.

With Stephens, Federal Way’s leading scorer, having an off night after playing a high number of minutes the game before, Eagles’ coach Jerome Collins said he was looking for another member of the team to step up in his place.

Collins said he felt an immense amount of pride in Slaughter’s performance. Specifically how he was able to stay consistent throughout the game.

“I was really proud of Rashon,” Collins said. “I thought he got himself into a rhythm and kept it going. What won’t show up on the stats is what he did on the defensive end of the court as well.”

Collins said he had a discussion with Slaughter prior to the game.

He said they discussed how Stephens was going to need a helping hand if the Eagles were going to beat the Gators.

The discussion sank in as Slaughter shot nearly perfect in the first half, missing just two attempts and helping Federal Way secure a 49-24 halftime lead.

For Slaughter, he said he attributed his standout performance to simply doing what Collins asked of him.

“Coaches wanted to see great defense,” Slaughter said. “We’re that kind of team, we come out with high energy, and the guys just kept looking for me. This was a team effort.”

Slaughter began to see double teams from Decatur in the second half, but he was able to find Stephens who finished with a season low 15 points (averaging 27.4) and Etan Collins chipped in with 13 points.

The Eagles started defensive drives with a half court press, which transitioned into a 2-3 zone. It forced the Gators to turn the ball over and miss outside shots.

It allowed Federal Way to go on a 17-5 run through the third quarter, increasing its lead to 73-35 heading to the fourth.

“Playing Federal Way at their house is always tough,” Choi said. “I’m very proud of my guys for competing until the final horn. We are excited for another shot at them January 10. This rivalry is a special one, if not the best in the state.”

Despite the lead, Collins kept most of his starters in for the final quarter, including Slaughter. With just under four minutes left to play, Stephens and Etan Collins had Gator guard Da’Lon Butler trapped on the left elbow.

Butler attempted to pass to Decatur big man Devon Kelley, but Slaughter had the play read from the start.

He jumped the pass, intercepted the ball and slung an outlet pass to an open Jaden McDaniel, who finished the play with an emphatic slam dunk.

Slaughter and the rest of the Eagles set their sights on their Dec. 9 meeting with Auburn, which runs a similar defensive scheme.

For Collins, he said he’s not worried about what the Trojans run, he’s only concerned with how to break it down. Slaughter said the Eagles need to keep their high energy into the second half and not let it drop off like it did against the Gators.

Personally, Slaughter has his energy set not only on college, but a career in the NBA. Moreover, he said he has his eyes set on breaking Miller’s 3-point shooting record.

But doing so will require Slaughter to watch a lot more film on Big Reggie.

“He’s the man, but I’m going to have to break his record when I get to the league,” he said. “He’s known as a 3-point shooter but his mid-range game is killer, and that’s where it’s at for me too.”