The expectations are sky high for the Federal Way High School boys basketball team this season. The Eagles came into the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the state and return basically five starters from last year.

But expectations can’t go out and win basketball games — players do. The Eagles got things going Friday night with a 75-60 victory over Auburn Riverside in Federal Way. The game was the South Puget Sound League North Division opener for both teams.

The top-ranked Eagles got a good effort by the Ravens on Friday.

Auburn Riverside actually led Federal Way by one point at halftime, 40-39. But the Eagles’ depth proved too much in the second half.

Federal Way’s Cole Dickerson led four Eagles in double figures.

The 6-foot-7 senior tallied 22 points, while senior guards Jeff Forbes and Michael Hale both chipped in 14 points each. Jemini Davis finished with 10 points.

The fourth-ranked Decatur Gators opened their SPSL South schedule Friday night by blowing out the Spanaway Lake Sentinels at home, 88-48.

The Gators (1-0) led by only two points after the first quarter, 20-18, but outscored Spanaway Lake 49-18 in the second and third quarters. Sophomore wing Jerron Smith led four Gators in double figures with 21 points. Junior Jordan McCloud finished with 18, Dominic Ricciardelli tallied a career-high 12 and senior Marcus Tibbs finished with 11 points from his point guard position.

The Todd Beamer Titans (2-2) jumped out to a 1-0 start in the SPSL South with an impressive 75-56 win over Emerald Ridge Friday night. The Titans followed a day later with a 58-52, non-league victory over Juanita.

Against Emerald Ridge, Beamer overcame a lackluster first quarter to dominate the Jaguars. The Titans trailed 20-11 after the first eight minutes, but fought back to outscore Emerald Ridge 64-36 in the final three quarters.

Sophomore Napa Mefi led the way with 26 points and senior Kevin Davis chipped in 19. Davis, a 6-foot-8 forward, followed his effort against Emerald Ridge with 23 points against Juanita. Mefi had 11 points in the game. The two teams were tied at 39-39 entering the fourth quarter on Beamer’s home court.

Jefferson dropped its first SPSL North game of the season Friday to the Auburn Trojans, 47-38. The Raiders (1-1) couldn’t get anything going on the offensive end of the court during the middle of the game. Jefferson tallied only 11 points in the second and third quarters and trailed 34-22 entering the fourth quarter.

The Raiders were led by the 16 points of Xavyr Moss and 11 from Spenser Sydney.

Sports editor Casey Olson: 925-5565, sports@fedwaymirror.com