Sidelines

For the first time, well, ever, the city of Federal Way has four boys basketball teams ranked in the Seattle Times’ Class 4A state rankings.

The Thomas Jefferson Raiders and their 3-0 start to the season cracked the rankings as the No. 10 team. The Raiders joined previous top-10 ranked Federal Way (No. 1), Beamer (No. 6) and Decatur (eighth) when the Times published their rankings today.

In comparison, Seattle has a three schools ranked in the Class 3A top-10 in Rainier Beach (No. 1), Franklin (No. 2) and Seattle Prep (No. 6). Spokane has two schools ranked in the 4A top-10 in Gonzaga Prep (No. 2) and Ferris (No. 3).

Last year, the Federal Way school district qualfied three schools for the 16-team Class 4A state tournament inside the Tacoma Dome. The Federal Way Eagles won the state title, while Decatur and Beamer dropped two-straight games.

This is a story that was written by Steve Hunter at the Kent Reporter about Kent and the Showare Center getting a professional indoor football team. the Kent Predators will start playing in March.

By STEVE HUNTER/Kent Reporter

The professional Indoor Football League is coming in March to the ShoWare Center in Kent.
ShoWare Center officials and the co-owners announced at a press conference Monday that the Kent Predators will compete in the second-year league.
“I am thrilled to be able to look at the prospect of Kent having its own indoor football team,” Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke said at the press conference. “And of all things, not only be called the Kent Predators, but having the wolf as the mascot – I love wolves. So I can’t wait to do some howling at a future game.”
Tim Higgins, ShoWare general manager, said a letter of intent has been signed by owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski to bring the expansion team to Kent. City and ShoWare officials will release details of the lease with the Predators once the contract has been signed.
“We’re very close; it will be done soon,” Higgins said about the contract.
Kokalis and Moninski are co-owners of the La Crosse (Wis.) Spartans, which joined the league in November and also will debut in 2010. Kokalis is president and chief executive officer of CKME Group Marketing & Entertainment, a full-service marketing firm with offices in Milwaukee, Wis., and Los Angeles.
Moninski, of West Seattle, owns Tukwila-based Global Aircraft Services, a company that provides flight crews and logistics for the managed movement of commercial aircraft around the world.
The Predators will play seven home games and seven games on the road. Games take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The IFL schedule is expected to be released within the next week.
The cost of season tickets for seven games are $252 for front-row platinum seats, $232 for club and premium, $187 for reserved, $125 for touchdown and $96 for end-zone seats. Tickets are on sale now at the team’s Web site, www.kentpredators.com.
“This opportunity presented itself and is something we could not pass up,” Kokalis said. “This is an amazing opportunity for us to come into this great facility and a great community.”
Kokalis said a franchise costs about $300,000.
“This venue was always on the top of my list,” Moninski said. “Things in indoor football have been a little chaotic. But when I got involved with Chris and the La Crosse Spartans, he put together a business plan that we have already seen generate success in La Crosse and we believe will generate even greater success here in Kent. As a local resident, I am excited to get this team on the field.”
The league started last spring with 19 teams and plans to field 26 teams in 2010. The league, based in Richmond, Va., was created in 2008 with the merger of the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football.
The league runs a 14-game schedule from March through June. It has teams in 13 states from Maryland to Alaska.
Kent will play the Tri-Cities Fever and the Billings (Mont.) Outlaws, the only other teams in the Pacific Northwest, as well as a couple of teams in Alaska. Tri-Cities left the Arena Football League 2 last month to join the Indoor Football League.
Kokalis said he expects the Predators will sell out some games. The events center can seat 6,000 for football games.
“Teams in this league average 3,000 to 5,000 a game, but some of those bigger rivalries with Tri-Cities bringing fans down I think we could see sellouts,” Kokalis said. “Our staff will work extremely hard to sell out the seven home games.”
Team officials expect to announce a head coach next week. They plan to offer player tryouts later this month. Former college players form the rosters for many of the teams for the eight-on-eight games.
Players will receive $225 per game and a $25 bonus if their team wins, Kokalis said.
ShoWare officials had talked to Arena Football League 2 officials earlier this year about a team in Kent, but never reached an agreement.
City and ShoWare officials are trying to bring more events to the 84.5 million arena that opened last January. Arena officials expect to lose as much as $343,000 this year.
Operators predict the deficit because of the loss of four events scheduled in the last few months of 2009, declining Seattle Thunderbirds hockey attendance and drops in advertising and private suite revenue.
The T-Birds play about 40 games at the ShoWare from September through March. The arena also is the home for the two-game schedule of the Seattle Mist of the women’s Lingerie Football League.

Who: Kent Predators, Indoor Football League
What: 26 teams
When: March-June. 14-game schedule
Where: ShoWare Center, 7 home games
Rules: 8-on-8 players; field 50 yards long; no punting; 21 players on roster; each team may have one coach on the field
Tickets: Season tickets range from $96 to $252
Web site: www.kentpredators.com

Is it too early to start talking about next Tuesday’s boys basketball game between No. 1 Federal Way and No. 6 Kentwood? The defending state champs playing against the best center in the the state — 6-foot-10, UCLA-bound Josh Smith.

This showdown (7 p.m., Dec. 8 at KW) will be huge in determining the champion of the South Puget Sound League North Division and will be an early indicator at the favorite to win the 2010 Class 4A state championship. Federal Way enters the game as the top-ranked team in Washington and the 45th-ranked team in the nation, according to ESPN Rise. They are also the defending state champions.

But Smith and Kentwood have been getting a lot of attention during the offseason, despite not qualifying for the last two state tournaments. The Conquerors will be playing at the 2009 T-Mobile Invitational Dec. 29-30 in Birmingham, Ala. Kentwood will be joined at the tounament by the state champions from Texas, Yates, Alabama state champ, Butler, and Florida power, Winter Park High School. The tournament will be televised nationally by CBS College Sports Network.

Kentwood will also play another nationally-television game when they take on Portland’s Jefferson High School on Feb. 2. The game will be on ESPN. Federal Way will also take on Jefferson, the defending Oregon state champions, at the King Holiday Hoopfest. That game will be television locally on Fox Sports.

But all that other stuff will go out the window when Tuesday’s game tips off.

A few things I’m interested in finding out in this game …

The Eagles are better than they were last year. I know it’s hard to believe, but I think it’s the case. I know they won the program’s first-ever state championship last season, but they didn’t have all their guns firing until the state tournament. Isiah Umipig wasn’t 100 percent healthy all season and the 6-foot guard is a huge difference maker for the Eagles. When healthy, Umipig is one of the most complete guards in the state. He can do it all on the basketball court — pass, score, shoot, play defense, even rebound. And he does it in effortless fashion.

The Eagles certainly looked better in their season-opening 110-85 throttling of ninth-ranked Lincoln. Yes, 110 points folks. That’s a number Federal Way didn’t reach all of last year. And the Eagles did it against a very good Lincoln team. Very impressive.
Also added to the mix is the 6-foot-3 Tyrell Lewis, who transferred to Federal Way from Mount Rainier. Lewis does things similar to Andre Barrington from last year’s team. He plays physical defense, is a freakish athlete and can also score.
And I haven’t even mentioned Cole Dickerson yet. The 6-foot-6 silky smooth forward led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding a season ago, despite being a junior. The University of San Francisco-bound senior started the season with 29 points against Lincoln.

Kentwood did beat Federal Way last season, which was one of only two losses the Eagles suffered. But you have to look closer at the 52-50 Kentwood win.

Federal Way played most of the game without Dickerson, who was suffering from the flu and only managed two points before heading to the bench. Also, Umipig was in his first week back from an ankle injury and had only three points against Kentwood.

Federal Way was also playing at the King Holiday Hoopfest two days later against Decatur, which was a humongous game last year because of numerous factors like Michael Hale transferring and the two schools not being in the same division anymore. They were also No. 1 and 2 in the state at the time and playing at the University of Washington, which added to the intensity of the game.

So the Eagles could have been looking a little ahead during the loss. Federal Way did beat Kentwood the two other times they played last year.

For Kentwood, it should also come down to the play of their guards.  Will they  take the open shot or try and force the ball down low to Smith?
We all know what Smith is going to deliver … around 25 points, 15 rebounds, a few blocks and four or five rim-rattling dunks. What got the Conquerors in trouble at times last year, however, was when they tried to force the ball into Smith, who often was double and triple-teamed, which is exactly what will happen Tuesday against Federal Way.

On a side note, Tuesday’s game will also give Umipig the ability to talk a little junk to Smith. Umipig’s future college basketball program at Cal State Fullerton beat Smith’s future home, UCLA, in both teams’ opener this season at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles earlier this year.
I’d love to hear some thoughts on those planning on attending. It should be fun.

SPSL North All-League Soccer Selections
MVP: Laura Rayfield, Kentlake
Coach of the Year: Jason Johnson, Tahoma

Forwards
First Team: Laura Rayfield, Kentlake; Mackenzie Meyers, Kentwood; Kaylee Osterman, Tahoma; Lindsay Dahl, Thomas Jefferson.
Second Team: Sarah Johnston, Auburn Riverside; Megan Amis, Auburn Riverside; Haley Ward, Federal Way; Kayla Berg, Kentridge.
Honorable Mention: Hayley Albrecht
Midfielders
First Team: Taylor Abrass, Auburn Riverside; Katherine Miccile, Kentlake; Kiana Kraft, Kentwood; Reilly Retz, Kentwood; Millie Picha, Tahoma; Brie Hooks, Tahoma.
Second Team: Molly Campbell, Federal Way; Taija Robertson, Kentlake; Nikole Cruz, Kent Meridian; Molly Shiroshi, Kentridge; Megan Harader, Kentridge; Laura Moore, Kentwood.
Honorable Mention: Kaylee Huie, Auburn Riverside; Kendal Feider, Federal Way; Leanna McCord, Kentlake; Emily Gordon, Kent Meridian; Marley Erickson, Kentridge; Kasey Carrel, Thomas Jefferson.
Defenders
First Team: Shannon Keith, Auburn Riverside; Micheal Paulston, Auburn; Frederike Dubeau, Kentlake; Rachel Bindl, Kentwood; Sara Bindl, Kentwood; Tarah Duty, Tahoma.
Second Team: Sadie Phonpadith, Auburn; Lydia Berger, Federal Way; Ashlann Wood, Kent Meridian; Dana Wareham, Kentwood; Tate Latimer, Tahoma; Sasha Nevin, Thomas Jefferson.
Honorable Mention: Danielle Robinson, Auburn Riverside; Jessica Hendricks, Kentridge.
Goal Keepers
First Team: Gina Cardenas, Auburn Riverside
Second Team: Amber Woolcock, Tahoma
Honorable Mention: Savannah Wood, Kentlake; Courtney Johnson, Kentwood.

SPSL South All-League Selections
MVP: Holland Crook, Todd Beamer
Coach of the Year: Ryan Kolowinski, Spanaway Lake

Forwards
First Team: Audrey Sullivan, Emerald Ridge; Kimmie Stueckle, Emerald Ridge; Kayla Stueckle, Emerald Ridge; Midori Moorhead, Puyallup.
Second Team: Shayli Housman, Curtis; Ashley Graves, Decatur; Jordan Burton, Graham-Kapowsin; Breanna Straus, Todd Beamer
Honorable Mention: Tianna Holloway, Todd Beamer.
Midfielders
First Team: Isabel Neyman, Curtis; Rachel Markey, Decatur; Courtney Craft, Emerald Ridge; Aubrey Rodgers, Emerald Ridge; Heidi Boettcher, Puyallup; Holland Crook, Todd Beamer; Mackenzie Hickel, Todd Beamer.
Second Team: Abby McFaul, Decatur; Kailee Jensen, Emerald Ridge; Rose Fulgham, Graham-Kapowsin; Miranda Gibson, Graham-Kapowsin; Jordan Asher, Rogers; Tiarra Fentress, Todd Beamer.
Honorable Mention: Maurya Hiden, Bethel; Susannah Mills, Curtis; Ellie Franco, Decatur; Lauren O’Neal, Decatur; Haley Murray, Rogers.
Defenders
First Team: Katelyn Knutsen, Curtis; Kayla Cook, Emerald Ridge; Jamie Rothermel, Emerald Ridge; Stephanie Cross, Rogers; Jessica Niewoehner, Todd Beamer; Avery Salisbury, Todd Beamer.
Second Team: Sydnee Patin, Decatur; Caitlyn Gillespie, Puyallup; Sydney Davis, Rogers; Amalia Perez, Spanaway Lake; Kim Wagner, Spanaway Lake.
Honorable Mention: Karyn Winquist, Curtis; Jordan Del Toro, Curtis; Jessica Larson, Graham-Kapowsin; Camille Huddleston, Puyallup; Destiny Whipple, Rogers.
Goalkeepers
First Team: Kayla Lipston, Decatur
Second Team: Lauren Higgins, Rogers
Honorable Mention: Fallon Stanley, Spanaway Lake

SPSL-South All League Selections
Coach of the Year: Clay Angle, Curtis
OFFENSE
Offensive Back of the Year: Anthony Meray, Bethel
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Chris Edison, Curtis.

Quarterback
First Team: Dalton Gervais, Rogers
Second Team: Tyler Jamison, Curtis
Running Backs
First Team: Anthony Meray, Bethel; Shey Patton, Spanaway Lake; Bennett Bontemps, Rogers.
Second Team: Richard Southern, Curtis; Sean Rehon, Puyallup; Nicky Faulaau, Todd Beamer
Wide Reciever
First Team: Rahmel Dockery, Curtis; Greg Logan, Graham-Kapowsin; Jamal Jones, Graham-Kapowsin.
Second Team: Kellen Westering, Rogers; CJ Simpson, Todd Beamer; Tommy McDonald, Bethel.
Tight End
First Team: Patrick Loughlin, Bethel
Second Team: Cody Stewart, Puyallup
Offensive Line
First Team: Josh Garnett, Puyallup; Albert Naputi, Bethel; Chris Edison, Curtis; Cornelius Edison, Curtis; Thomas Gomez, Graham-Kapowsin.
Second Team: Jared Carabelos, Rogers; Kyle Grosvenor, Spanaway Lake; Jamarkus Springfield, Decatur; Jared Hansen, Curtis; Brandon Siliga, Decatur.

DEFENSE
Defensive Backs of the Year: Bennett Bontemps, Rogers; Jordan Copeland, Curtis
Linebacker of the Year: Jason Walker, Curtis
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Chris Edison, Curtis
Defensive Back
First Team: Nathan Lott, Bethel; Jordan Copeland, Curtis; Dalton Dorosky, Graham-Kapowsin; Bennett Bontemps, Rogers.
Second Team: Devin Bales, Graham-Kapowsin; Napa Mefi, Todd Beamer; Deven McKinney, Spanaway Lake; CJ Langlow, Curtis.
Linebacker
First Team: Nicky Fualaau, Todd Beamer; Kariri Kiambuthi, Bethel; Jason Walker, Curtis; Matt Turner, Decatur.
Second Team: Aleksandr Bykovskiy, Decatur; Noland Ewell, Graham-Kapowsin; Zach Steedman, Rogers; Sadat Sulley, Spanaway Lake.
Defensive Line
First Team: Thomas Gomez, Graham-Kapowsin; Happy Iona, Bethel; Chris Edison, Curtis; Corenlius Edison, Curtis.
Second Team: Dalton Mendenhall, Rogers; Marley Liulama, Todd Beamer; Andre Frazier, Spanaway Lake; Josh Garnett, Puyallup.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
First Team: Brandon Bailey, Bethel
Second Team: Eric Northstein, Graham-Kapowsin
Punter
First Team: Sean Tollan, Rogers
Second Team: Tommy McDonald, Bethel
Special Teams Players
First Team: Ben Draeger, Todd Beamer; Travis Otis, Bethel; Rhamel Dockery, Curtis; Dominick Samuel, Decatur; Luke Logan, Emerald Ridge; Nick Johnson, Graham-Kapowsin; Sean Halligan, Puyallup; Drakkar Sweet, Spanaway Lake; Kyle Fox, Rogers.

SPSL NORTH ALL-LEAGUE SELECTIONS
OFFENSE
Offensive Back of the Year: Austin Embody, Auburn; Alphonse Wade, Auburn.
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Danny Shelton, Auburn
Quarterback
First Team: Nick Tanielu, Federal Way
Second Team: Tristan Askew, Kentwood
Honorable Mention: John Hakala, Auburn Riverside; K.W. Williams, Thomas Jefferson; David Jones, Kent Meridian.
Running Back
First Team: Austin Embody, Auburn; Trenton Pinson, Federal Way; Alphonse Wade, Auburn.
Second Team: Connor Bjornstad, Auburn Riverside; Va’a Logotala, Kent Meridian; Nico Madison, Tahoma.
Honorable Mention: Nick Kramlich, Kentlake; Jordan Smith, Kentlake; B.J. Arceneaux, Kent Meridian; Jared Fuller, Kentwood; Zach Corpuz, Kentwood.
Wide Receiver
First Team: Allain Songco, Kentwood; Ja’Juan Davis, Federal Way; Alden Coleman, Federal Way.
Second Team: Scott Stanford, Thomas Jefferson; Larren Wright, Kent Meridian; Tyler Wright, Kentlake; Austin Pernell, Kentlake.
Honorable Mention: Nick Alexander, Auburn Riverside; Jason Didis, Kentridge; Cameron McKernan, Kentridge; Mike Roy, Kentwood.
Tight End
First Team: Estafano Pina, Auburn
Second Team: Dalton Blackmore, Kentwood
Honorable Mention: Cameron Grad, Auburn Riverside; Brian Englund, Kentridge; Kyle Clark, Tahoma.
Offensive Line
First Team: Nick Conlan, Auburn; Danny Shelton, Auburn; James Seumaala, Federal Way; T.J. Markus, Kentwood; Konner Knudtsen, Tahoma.
Second Team: Mike Holzberger, Kentlake; Dan Duran, Auburn; Michael Vlasenko, Thomas Jefferson; Jon Kwon, Kentridge; Nathan Herrick, Kentlake.
Honorable Mention: Jacob Shewey, Kentwood; Derek Weston, Tahoma; Zach Platt, Auburn Riverside; Garrett Townsend, Federal Way; Boogie Yuhashi, Kent Meridian; Thomas Reinhart, Kent Meridian; Mana Victorino, Kentwood; Nick Bayer, Tahoma.
DEFENSE
Defensive Back of the Year: Dylan Zylstra, Kentwood
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Danny Shelton, Auburn
Defensive Back
First Team: Tristan Askew, Kentwood; Tyler Wright, Kentlake; Rian Miller, Federal Way; Brandon Reiter, Kentridge
Second Team: Dylan Rutledge, Auburn; Jonny Volland, Thomas Jefferson; Larren Wright, Kent Meridian; Cody Gilje, Tahoma.
Honorable Mention: Alden Coleman, Federal Way; Isiah Umipig, Federal Way; Kell Garrison, Auburn Riverside; Cole Luckett, Auburn Riverside; Zak Sauve, Auburn; Sean Ringor, Kentridge; Mike Roy, Kentwood.
Linebacker
First Team: Konner Knudtsen, Tahoma; DaShawn Horne, Federal Way; Lofi Luafatasaga, Thomas Jefferson; Dylan Zylstra, Kentridge.
Second Team: Nick Conlan, Auburn; E.J. Stickland, Auburn; Mitch Youngs, Auburn Riverside; Taylor White, Kentwood.
Honorable Mention: Va’a Logotala, Kent Meridian; Tyler Mortenson, Kentlake; Nick Bayer, Tahoma; Tyler Phippen, Tahoma.
Defensive Line
First Team: Danny Shelton, Auburn; James Seumaala, Federal Way; Nathan Herrick, Kentlake; Derek Weston, Tahoma.
Second Team: Byron Wilson, Auburn; Brandon Hand, Auburn Riverside; Jesse Salazar, Kentlake; Nico White, Kentridge.
Honorable Mention: Spencer Hicks, Thomas Jefferson; John Puaauli, Thomas Jefferson; Jefferson Aumua, Thomas Jefferson; Mike Holzberger, Kentlake; Saipele Siafuafu, Kent Meridian; Austin Robinson, Kentridge; Quijaan Lawson, Kentwood.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special Teams Player of the Year: Kelyn Rowe, Federal Way
Special Teams Players
First Team: Aaron McMahon, Auburn; Phillip Raschkow, Auburn Riverside; Kelyn Rowe, Federal Way; Scott Stanford, Thomas Jefferson; Tyler Wright, Kentlake; Eddie Zhao, Kent Meridian; Ian Anderson, Kentridge; Matt Bell, Kentwood; David Stoecker, Tahoma.
Kicker
First Team: Kelyn Rowe, Federal Way
Second Team: Matt Bell, Kentwood.
Honorable Mention: Aaron McMahon, Auburn; David Stoecker, Tahoma.
Punter
First Team: Kelyn Rowe, Federal Way
Second Team: Josh Cline, Auburn Riverside
Honorable Mention: Tyler Wright, Kentlake; Wes Concepcion, Kentridge.
All Purpose Player of the Year: Tyler Wright, Kentlake
Head Coach of the Year: Gordon Elliott, Auburn
Assistant Coach of the Year: Walt Hunt, Auburn

Coach of the Year: Chris Leverenz, Auburn Riverside
MVP: Brooke Bray, MH, Auburn Riverside

First Team
Brooklynn Bradbury, S, Auburn Riverside
Ally Patterson, OH, Kentwood
Erin Campbell, OH, Kentwood
Jaclyn Onosko, Opp, Kentridge
Maureen Sachs, OH, Auburn Riverside
Aryn McCarthy, L, Kentlake
Korin Hedlund, L, Kentwood

Second Team
Isia Johnson, M/OH, Auburn
Dani Brunelle, L, Auburn
Jane Han, L, Auburn Riverside
Cherene O’Hara, MH, Kent Meridian
Maria Bahlenhorst, OH, Tahoma
Kayla Ierlan, RH, Kent Meridian
Katelyn Nugent, OH, Thomas Jefferson
Sierra Atkinson, S, Auburn
Michelle Ernsdorff, OH, Auburn

Honorable Mention
Jaleecia Roland, Federal Way
Monica McConnaghey, Federal Way
Kendra Ansotique, Thomas Jeffeson
Michelle Boscole, Kentridge
Christi Bianton, Kentlake
Riley Butler, Kentlake
Kellie Zulauf, Auburn Riverside
Nicole Fairclough, Kentridge
Heather Restrepo, Auburn
Skyler Atkinson, Auburn
Tonya Pyatohka, Kent Meridian
Chloe Watson, Kent Meridian
Elle Mortensen, Kentwood
Kayla Hanus, Kentwood
Lychelle Roberts-Kirby, Kentwood
Tia Peterson, Kentwood
Megan Brothers, Tahoma

All-SPSL Central Division Girls Cross Country
Athlete of the Year
Taylor Kartes    Todd Beamer

1st Team Honors
Lacey Printz    Thomas Jefferson    Sr.
Sara Mussa    Todd Beamer    Soph.
Monica Jaenicke    Thomas Jefferson    Sr.
Rachel Atwood    Auburn Riverside    Soph.
Cassidy Brown    Auburn Riverside    Fr.
Nichole Williams    Decatur    Jr.
Molly Bauer    Curtis    Sr.

2nd Team Honors
Jasmine Johnson    Federal Way    Jr.
Leah Kiyohara    Thomas Jefferson   Soph.
Vanessa Church    Thomas Jefferson    Soph.
Lauren Saunders    Auburn Riverside    Fr.
Sofia Grawe    Curtis    Sr.
Elise Jones    Auburn Riverside    Sr.
Megan McCabe    Auburn Riverside    Sr.

ESPN Rise came out with their preseason 2009 high school basketball rankings on Tuesday and the defending state-champion Federal Way Eagles are ranked 45th in the nation. The Eagles finished 28-2 last year and beat Garfield in the state championship game. Federal Way is the lone team from Washington in the preseason rankings. High school basketball kicks off Nov. 16.

SPSL North Division

Player of the year: Max Manthou, Kentwood.
Coach of the year: Ingrid Bakke, Kentwood.
First team: Josh Jeter, Auburn; Tim Hartke, Auburn; Taylor Welch, Kentlake; Rory Jens, Kent-Meridian; Garrett Ballou, Kentridge; Vineeth Omkaram, Kentridge; Matt Overland, Kentridge; Paul Yi, Kentridge; Alex Noyes, Kentwood; Tucker Siegert, Kentwood; Alex Costanzo, Tahoma.

SPSL  Central
Player of the year: Joseph de la Cruz, Beamer.
Coach of the year: Andrew Buchan, Jefferson.
First team: Jarad Schraeder, Auburn Riverside; David Tuell, Curtis; Harry Choi, Decatur; Abishek Murali, Decatur; Max Ward, Federal Way; Brandyn Gomez, Jefferson; Joe Lee, Jefferson; Kainoa Rosa, Jefferson; Makoa Rosa, Jefferson; Chase Friedrich, Beamer; Sean O’Bryan, Beamer.

SPSL  South
Player of the year: Michael Pinkard, Puyallup.
Coach of the year: Theresa Gotter, Emerald Ridge.
First team: Chad Edmonds, Emerald Ridge; Josh Guerra, Emerald Ridge; Greg Medlock, Emerald Ridge; Scott Medlock, Emerald Ridge; Brian Pinkard, Puyallup; Spike Ward, Puyallup; Josiah Wolfson, Puyallup; Simon Kim, Rogers; Kevin Dulay, Rogers; Michael Dulay, Rogers; Malcolm Reed, Spanaway Lake.

Federal Way High School senior Cole Dickerson has given a verbal commitment to play basketball at the University of San Francisco next year, according to Eagle head coach Jerome Collins.
“He just fell in love with the place,” Collins said. “This is a dream come true for Cole.”
Dickerson chose San Francisco over several schools, including Portland State, Pacific, Portland, Idaho, Eastern Washington and Washington State. San Francisco plays in the competitive West Coast Conference along with schools like Gonzaga and St. Mary’s.
The 6-foot-7 Dickerson will sign his national letter of intent on Nov. 11 and will be joined by teammate Isiah Umipig. Umipig verbally committed to play at Cal-State Fullerton last month.

Dickerson was the most consistent player for Federal Way all season long last year during their run to the state title. The forward led the Eagles in scoring at 17.5 points a game. He finished in double figures in 28 of Federal Way’s 30 games. Dickerson also led the Eagles in rebounding at 8.21 a game and blocked 56 shots during the regular season. He also shot 66 percent from the field (166 for 253). During Federal Way’s postseason run, Dickerson was named to the Class 4A state All-Tournament Team after averaging 17 points in their four victories in Tacoma.

Dickerson finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots during the Eagles’ quarterfinal win over Walla Walla and 18 points in the title-game win over Garfield.

This will be the fifth year in a row that a Federal Way player has signed with a Division I college program. Terrell Smith inked with the University of the Pacific in 2006, Pooh Williams signed with Utah State in ‘07, Aaron Broussard signed with Seattle University in 2008 and Jeff Forbes is currently a freshman at Eastern Washington University.

There will be more to come on Dickerson’s commitment.