The target planted firmly on the backs of the Federal Way boys basketball team didn’t seem to bother the Eagles in their opening two games at the Class 4A State Boys Basketball Tournament.
The No. 1-ranked and tournament favorites blew through the Redmond Mustangs, 66-36, and Walla Walla Blue Devils, 52-37, Wednesday and Thursday inside the Tacoma Dome.
The two wins earned the Eagles (27-2) a familiar semifinal match-up against South Puget Sound League North Division foe Kentridge at 7 p.m. Friday night. The Chargers (19-8) handed Federal Way one of their two losses in December, 67-66.
A victory against Kentridge would mean a second-straight championship game appearance for Federal Way (27-2). The Eagles lost to Ferris in the 2008 title game.
Despite being one of the highest scoring teams in the state this season, the Eagles have done it with defense the first two days of the tournament. Federal Way’s extreme quickness and suffocating full-court press have allowed a grand total of 73 points in two games.
Against Walla Walla, who beat Beamer in the opening round, the Eagles fell behind early and trailed 11-10 after the first quarter. But Federal Way’s relentless defense and the play of 6-foot-7 Cole Dickerson proved too much in the final three quarters, which saw the Eagles outscore the Blue Devils, 42-26.
Dickerson finished with 28 points on 11 of 16 shooting and also had 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. He was the only Federal Way player in double figures on the night. Senior guard Michael Hale, the Eagles’ second leading scorer during the season behind Dickerson, ended up 0 for 2 from the field with zero points.
The Eagles’ defense, led by junior Isiah Umipig, caused Walla Walla’s leading scorer, Gary Winston, fits. The senior guard finished with 11 points just a day after he torched Beamer for 28.
Federal Way 66, Redmond 36 (Wednesday)
The No. 1-ranked and tournament favorite Eagles dominated the Redmond Mustangs, 66-36, Wednesday afternoon inside the Tacoma Dome.
Things didn’t start out too well for Eagles against Redmond. The Mustangs jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led 8-3 midway through the first quarter. But the lead wouldn’t last long.
Federal Way got a pair of 3-pointers from Jeff Forbes and Isiah Umipig to take the lead for good, 9-8. The Eagles actually ended the first half on a 34-8 run to take a 37-16 lead into the locker room.
Federal Way shot 53.1 percent from the field and were able to rest a lot of their starters. The Eagles had nine players score and were led by the 13 points of senior guard Andre Barrington. Hale and Dickerson each chipped in 12 points.
Jared Alexander paced Redmond (16-11) with nine points.
