Girls basketball preview: Federal Way might be primed for another run at title

The Eagles lost a ton from last year’s team that rolled through the SPSL South unbeaten before losing in the Class 4A state title game.

By Casey Olson • December 6, 2011 1:30 pm
Federal Way's Darah Huertas-Vining was a first-team
Federal Way's Darah Huertas-Vining was a first-team

Federal Way Eagles

Head coach: Danny Graham (sixth year)

Last year’s record: 26-3 overall, 16-0 SPSL South

Strong returners: Sr. Dyesha Belhumeur, Guard; Jr. Raven Benton, Wing; Sr. Darah Huertas-Vining, Guard

Top newcomers: Fr. Mariyah Vongsaveng, Wing; Sr. LaMonica Jackson, Guard; Sr. Jasmine McEachin, Guard.

 

Decatur Gators

Head coach: Alison Stephens (first season)

Last year’s record: 8-17 overall, 3-7 SPSL 3A

Strong returners: Sr. A’yesia Rogers, Forward; Jr. Stephanie Maxwell, Forward/Center; Sr. Abby McFaul, Guard.

Top newcomers: Jr. Lattrice Johnson, Guard; Jr. Marissa Wendel, Forward; Sr. Acacia Hall, Guard; Jr. Je’nalta Yates, Foward/Center; Sr. Kendall Jensen, Guard; Sr. Talibah Foust-Mills, Guard; Sr. Alishia Wilson, Forward; Fr. Autumn Arment, Guard.

 

Thomas Jefferson Raiders

Head coach: Jerry Krueger (ninth year)

Last year’s record: 8-11 overall, 7-9 SPSL North

Strong returners: Jr. Jada Piper, Guard; Sr. Christy Kullberg, Guard; Sr. Lexi Goranson, Guard; Jr. Chevay Warnes, Post.

Top newcomers: Sr. Nyanda Preston, Guard; Sr. Lindsey Dahl, Post; Fr. Jalynn Piper, Guard.

 

Beamer Titans

Head coach: Heather Sugg (third year)

Last year’s record: 13-10 overall, 9-7 SPSL South

Strong returners: Soph. Megan Huff, Wing; Jr. Makayla Sullivan, Guard; Sr. Meghan Graf, Forward; Soph. Megan Anderson, Guard;

Top newcomers: Fr. Carrie Lyn Ramos, Guard; Soph.

 

The Eagles lost a ton from last year’s team that rolled through the South Puget Sound League South Division unbeaten before losing in the Class 4A state title game.

Gone are Talia Walton, Brittany Barrington and Jaleecia Roland. Walton is currently playing at the University of Washington after being voted the Associated Press Class 4A Washington Prep Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the South Puget Sound League’s South Division Most Valuable Player, Seattle Times’ Star Times All-Area, The News Tribune’s All-Area Player of the Year and the Mirror’s All-City Player of the Year. Walton averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds a game and also led the league in blocked shots.

But the Eagles do return plenty of talent, led by point guard Darah Huertas-Vining. The senior was second to Walton in scoring last year at 13.3 points a game and was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection.

Also back for Federal Way are junior Raven Benton and senior Dyesha Belhumeur. Both were also first-team, All-SPSL South picks by the league’s coaches.

Benton, a 5-foot-9 guard, brought the ball up the court on several occasions and averaged 9.6 points during the season. Benton tallied a career-high 20 points during a 70-61 win over Emerald Ridge on Dec. 7. Belhumeur averaged 9.0 points a game and was a consistent athletic threat for the Eagles.

 

Decatur Gators

The Gators made a big-time jump last year during their first season in the SPSL 3A Division. After winning just two games during the 2009-10 season, Decatur finished 8-17 last season, including non-conference wins over Highline, Decatur and Fife.

Alison Stephens takes over the team from Kevin Rawie and brings back a pair of talented players from a season ago. Returning is the Gators’ leading scorer A’yesia Rogers, after averaging 10.3 points a game a season ago, while junior center Stephanie Maxwell finished the year averaging 3.0 points a game.

But most of Stephens’ team will be made up of newcomers, including seniors Abby McFaul, Acacia Hall, Kendall Jensen, Talibah Foust-Mills and Alishia Wilson, along with juniors Lattrice Johnson, Marissa Wendel and Je’naita Yates and freshman Autumn Arment.

“It’s a building year,” Stephens said. “But the sky’s the limit.”

Decatur will be counting on speed and height to counteract the other programs in the SPSL 3A Division, which also includes Auburn Mountainview, Bonney Lake, Lakes, Peninsula and Enumclaw.

The Gators got the season started with a 46-37 win over Franklin Pierce in a non-league contest. During the game, Wendel led Decatur with 12 points and Rogers finished with 10.

 

Jefferson Raiders

The Raiders suffered a losing season last year and failed to make the postseason with an 8-11 overall record and 7-9 in the SPSL North.

But Jefferson is looking to improve this season and has a team that could make some noise in the SPSL North and head back into the playoffs.

“We expect to compete for a spot in the top five of the North Division,” head coach Jerry Krueger said.

The Raiders feature a very talented group of perimeter players who should be able to penetrate through defenses and create their own shots.

“I’m excited about where this team can be by midseason,” Krueger said. “We have to incorporate a lot of new players into the mix and learn how to play together. But once we do, we will be very competitive in this league.”

The Raiders will be counting on junior Jada Piper. The guard led Jefferson in scoring a season ago by averaging 11.2 points a game and finished with 20 points during a non-league victory over Graham-Kapowsin last week.

The Raiders also bring back their second-leading scorer in senior Christy Kullberg, who averaged 9.0 points a game. Also back are senior Lexi Goranson and Chevay Warnes. Goranson was fourth on the team last year at 4.3 a game and Warnes was fifth at 3.1 points.

Jefferson will also be counting on newcomers like senior Nyanda Preston and freshman Jalynn Piper, along with senior Lindsey Dahl. Dahl is, most likely, the best all-around athlete in the Federal Way school district. She is a two-time, first-team All-State forward in soccer and has participated in multiple events at the state track and field meet during her TJ career.

“She lettered as a sophomore, but did not play last year to concentrate on soccer,” Krueger said. “She is returning and making an immediate impact.”

 

Todd Beamer Titans

Beamer had a solid year a season ago under head coach Heather Sugg. The Titans finished 13-10 overall and 9-7 in the SPSL South. Beamer finished in third place in the league before losing two straight games to South Kitsap and Evergreen at the West Central District Tournament.

Leading the group of returners is senior Meghan Graf. Last year, the 6-foot Graf averaged 15.1 points a game and was in double figures in 20 of Beamer’s 23 games. Graf had a season-high 23 points during a win over Bethel on Jan. 21.

The Titans return impressive sophomore Megan Huff. The 6-footer had a great inaugural season in the SPSL South. Huff averaged 10.6 points for Beamer and is already getting recruiting attention from some of the better college basketball programs in the West. Huff tallied a career-high 23 points during a win over Spanaway Lake on Feb. 1.

Also returning are sophomore Megan Anderson, along with senior Jamesa DuBois. Both averaged close to three points a game last year.

Beamer will also get some help from freshmen Liesa Young and Carrie Lyn Ramos.

The Titans lost their SPSL South opener to Emerald Ridge Friday night.