The Class 4A state basketball tournament came down to the best team against the best player.
The best team, the Federal Way Eagles, beat the best player, Garfield's Tony Wroten, the nation's top-ranked sophomore, 62-54 in the tournament title game at the Tacoma Dome.
Federal Way lost in last year's state title game, but the Eagles were ranked No. 1 much of the season and won the South Puget Sound League and West Central District title en route to the state crown.
It was the first state title for Federal Way and the first for coach Jerome Collins, the coach known for his flashy suits, in 25 years at the school.
Federal Way's Jerome Collins
Photo By Juliann Tallino
Former NBA player Michael Dickerson, a FW alum, gave a speech before the title bout.
Isaiah Umipig, the Eagles' fifth-leading scorer, scored a game-high 19 points on 5 of 9 shooting.
Wroten scored eight points on 2 of 11 shooting.
Tourney MVP Lindsey Moore, a Nebraska signee, had 16 points, four assists and three rebounds as Kentwood beat Snohomish 60-47 in the Class 4A girls state title game.
Sophomore Courtney Johnson added 18 on 6 of 8 shooting for Kentwood (28-1).
Kentwood has been a state power in recent years, but hasn't claimed a state title. It was third in 2007 and didn't place last year.
Federal Way, Class 4A state champions
Photo By Juliann Tallino
Tourney MVP John Gage, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, had 20 points and 15 rebounds as No. 1 Vashon Island (26-1) won the school's first boys state basketball title, beating King's 49-24 in the Class 1A state tournament at the Yakima SunDome.
King's (20-8) was held scoreless for a 12-minute stretch that included the entire third quarter.
Katie Collier hit four free throws in OT as No. 1 Seattle Christian (26-1) won the girls title, 55-53, over Granger.
Collier, a 6-foot-2 freshman, had 15 points and 12 rebounds and sister Melissa Collier added 18 points.
Basketball: NWC wins fourth straight title
Tournament MVP Chase Ramey scored 22 points as Northwest Christian of Spokane won an unprecedented fourth straight Class 2B state tournament at the Spokane Arena.
NWC (28-0) beat Davenport (20-8) in the title game 54-39.
It was NWC's 57th straight win and the fifth over Davenport this season.
MVP Kayla Johnson scored 23 points as Colfax beat Napavine 56-35 for the girls title. Colfax, a traditional small-school power, moved down from Class 1A this year.
Basketball: Class 3A state returns to the Dome
After a two-year experiment moving the Class 3A state tournament to Seattle with the hopes of better attendance, the tourney returns to the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday.
Franklin, which has been ranked No. 1 all season and moved down from 4A KingCo this season, is the favorite to win the boys title. If the Quakers win it would continue the Metro League's run of state titles. The Metro has won seven straight Class 3A state titles.
Auburn-Riverside, which won the last two girls title, moved up Class 4A this year.
The Class 2A state tournament begins on Wednesday at the Yakima SunDome.
