The Federal Way Eagles are showing why they're the top-ranked boys basketball team in the state.
Federal Way hit triple digits in the third quarter and rolled to a 137-70 win over Kentlake.
Cole Dickerson (35) and Isiah Umipig (30) both broke 30 points for the undefeated Eagles, the defending Class 4A state champ.
2. Franklin ready to run? The Franklin Quakers, the defending Class 3A state champs, have a young team this year, but they could be ready to show they are the program everybody remembers. The Quakers returned to .500 by beating No. 9 O'Dea 55-51 in Metro League play. "Tonight was a first step of many more we need to take," Franklin coach Jason Kerr told the Seattle Times. "With a young group, we're trying to be patient with them and give them the time to learn, instead of trying to throw quick fixes out there."
Jake Heaps, Skyline
File photo by Todd Shurtleff
3. Heaps scores in All-American game: Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps, a BYU commit, was 9-of-12 for 90 yards in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Lakes defensive tackle Sione Potoa'e, a Washington commit, was the other state player in the game.
4. Younger Gaddy flexes muscles: Donald Gaddy, the younger brother of All-American Avery Bradley, showed his game. The junior scored on a 3-point play to lift Bellarmine Prep past No. 7 Foss 55-54. Gaddy, whose brother is starring as a freshman at Texas, scored 18 points.
5. No. 1 Enumclaw takes showdown: The Hornets stayed perfect by holding off a late run by No. 4 Lakes in a 54-47 boys basketball win.
Top performers
Cole Dickerson (Federal Way boys basketball): Had three 30-point performances last week for the top-ranked Eagles, capped by a 33-point night in an 83-56 win over Kentwood. He also scored 35 and 34 points.
Gary Winston (Walla Walla boys basketball): The senior scored 40, 19 and 43 points in a tournament in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, hitting 33 of 56 (.589) 3-pointers.
Aaron Bright (Bellevue boys basketball): The senior earned MVP honors, averaging 25 points over three games, as the Wolverines won the Les Schwab BC Christmas Classic.
Natalie Frank (Blanchet girls basketball): She scored 31 points in a 50-41 win over Ingraham.
Chandler Jones (Redmond girls basketball): The senior earned tournament MVP honors as the Mustangs won the Cactus Division at the Cactus Jam Hoop Classic. She had averaged 26 points and better than four assists.
Recruiting news
Timberline wide receiver Delas Raiford has committed to the Air Force Academy. Raiford, an all-state pick, had 606 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He also considered Eastern Washington, Central Washington and Portland State, the Olympian reported. ... Central Kitsap All-Narrows League wide receiver Christian Wesley has received an offer from Central Washington. … How good a baseball player is Central Kitsap's Drew Vettleson? Vettleson, who has committed to Oregon State, has several pro scouts at all of his basketball games to see his athleticism.
Nate's notes
Basketball has a different flow to it than fall sports. Fall sports start and don't stop until the season is over. Basketball is different. It starts slowly with a few non-league games as teams try to get their legs underneath them and fans transition from football. Then league games begin and things get serious. A few weeks of that, and the holidays come around. League play goes into hibernation for Christmas and New Year's and teams travel for tournaments. And now that we're halfway through the regular season, things got fired up again last week. Now we're heading into one of my favorite times of year: The push for the basketball playoffs. Nothing, in high school sports, beats the four-week run of district and state basketball tournaments.
Nathan Joyce has been a sports writer in Washington for 12 years. He currently works for the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton.
