Kentridge senior Jalon Blackwell drives to the bucket. Photo Credit: Dee Torres

Kentridge senior Jalon Blackwell drives to the bucket. Photo Credit: Dee Torres

Federal Way drops Kentridge boys in heavyweight bout

Eagles pull away in second quarter en route to 76-62 victory

The Kentridge boys basketball team fell 76-62 to Federal Way on Tuesday, Jan. 24 inside the Federal Way High School gymnasium.

The Chargers lost two of their last three for the first time all season.

“We made them play,” said Charger coach David Jamison. “I thought our attitude was good, they do a good job of getting you out of your game plan. But I thought my guys continually tried to do what we wanted to do.”

It was the ninth meeting between these schools since 2009, Federal Way has won all nine. The last time Kentridge beat Federal Way was Dec. 13, 2008. Most of the Charger roster was 4 years old when that happened.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Throughout the NPSL game Jamison didn’t think his team played poorly, but it was just a testament to the strength of Federal Way (17-1, 10-0 league), ranked No. 1 in the Jan. 18 Class 4A Associated Press poll.

“They’re a really good team, I thought we hung with them pretty well,” Jamison said.

Kentridge (14-4, 7-3), ranked No. 7, came into Federal Way ready to play, putting up its highest scoring quarter of the game. Even though the Chargers trailed, they were right in with the Eagles, who led 22-19.

In the second quarter Federal Way separated itself from the Chargers. A late run in the quarter propelled the Eagles to a 12-point halftime lead.

The third quarter was more of the same for the Chargers. An inability to slow down the Eagles hurt them in the long run.

“In our two losses we just got outshot. It’s not because of turnovers, defensive issues or rebounding. We just get outshot,” Jamison said.

The Chargers seemed to run out of gas in the fourth quarter. One of the possible reasons for that was standout junior Jamari Harris was sidelined with an ankle injury from the previous day’s practice. An injury that he hopes and Jamison expects him to have a short recovery.

When Harris is on the court the Chargers are a complete team and have beaten a top-ranked Class 4A team in Mount Si.

It’s the second Charger loss against the NPSL’s best throughout their toughest stretch of the schedule.

“After Mount Si, we had Tahoma immediately the next day and these guys a week later. It’s a really tough stretch,” Jamison said.

Kentridge now sits in third place in the NPSL standings. With three games remaining, the Chargers are locked into a playoff spot.

“I think we are right on par for where we need to be,” Jamison said.

The Chargers continue their roadtrip with games Jan. 27 and Feb. 2 and finish their regular season at home against Kentwood Feb. 4.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Christopher (left) and Lincoln Moore (right) shake hands on defense. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Moore brothers equal more runs on the Kentlake diamond

Christopher and Lincoln Moore take the field for the Falcons in their first season together.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentlake

Morris Schriever (Sr. Judo) and Millie Purganan (So. Dance) win this weeks awards.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Alex Palacios and Logan Wilson (unified basketball) and Aubrey Krestle win award.

Mason St. Louis eyes down the defense against Arlington. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Arlington shocks Kentwood with fourth quarter comeback

Kentwood’s season ends before the Tacoma Dome in opening round loss.

Brandon Tagle dribbling the basketball against Sumner. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood punches ticket to state basketball tournament

Brandon Tagle scores 12 fourth quarter points to fuel comeback.

Courtesy Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kent-Meridian

Bryanna Zhunio-Chevez (So. Cheer) and Adonai Garza (Jr. Wrestling) win this weeks awards.

Corey Tita goes for a layup against Curtis. Tyler Rubenstein / For the Reporter
Kentwood basketball pulls away late against Curtis

Kentwood is now 2-1 in district tournament, needing one more win to make state.

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athletes of the week: Kentlake

Josie Pedeferri (Flag Football Sr.) and Matthew Lawrence (Basketball Sr.) are this weeks winners.

Jaya Brown goes up for a lay-up against Kentwood. Ben Ray / The Reporter
District Tournament preview: Girls basketball

Kentwood and Kentridge sneak in, see tough roads ahead.

Kentwood’s Mason St. Louis takes a three point shot. Ben Ray / The Reporter
West Central District Tournament preview: Boys basketball

Kentwood and Kent-Meridian face tough competition in opening rounds.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Luke LeChance (Jr. Swim) and Alena Ton (Jr. Basketball) named this weeks winners.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Julie Foree

Foree has been coaching for 15-years and currently coaches at Cedar Heights Middle School.