4A Boys Basketball | Is 2nd place just prelude for young Eagles?

TACOMA — There were no tears in the Eagles' eyes. No jerseys covering faces or heads hung in disappointment.

After the clock expired on a 68-44 Ferris victory in the Class 4A state boys basketball championship, the Federal Way players had wide smiles on their faces. Junior Andre Barrington gave high-fives to all his teammates.

In the locker room after the game, the players were laughing and joking — hardly the demeanor of the disappointed.

This year's Eagles team was the best in school history, and the players were just fine with that.

"We did something that nobody else has ever done at our school," Barrington said. "That's nothing to be mad about."

And what a ride it was. The No. 10 Eagles beat three higher-ranked opponents en route to a second-place finish. Each game along the way was more thrilling than the last.

But after Saturday's game, there was no celebration at midcourt as there was after a 69-60 semifinal victory in overtime over district rival Decatur. Federal Way lost convincingly to a perfect opponent.

"Obviously we wanted to win, but we lost to a great team," said Eagles senior Aaron Broussard, named to the all-tournament first team. "We gave it our all."

After the Eagles were awarded the second-place trophy, they held it up for their adoring fans. The players applauded the crowd. A third-place finish in 1994 was no longer the program's high mark.

Despite a 24-point defeat, Federal Way coach Jerome Collins was proud of how his team played in the final half. The Saxons outscored the Eagles by just one point, 31-30, after halftime.

"They didn't drop their heads," Collins said. "They came with some intensity, some emotion. If some shots had fallen, it could've been a different game."

Broussard said his coach stayed positive in the locker room after the Eagles shot just 25 percent in the first half.

"Can we win it? Maybe," Collins told his team. "But we have to come out and play with heart and play together. And no matter what, keep our heads up."

The Eagles' tireless effort in the second half earned the respect of their opponents.

"They should be really proud of their season," said Ferris coach Don Van Lierop, who also complimented Federal Way for winning three-straight loser-out games to make it to state.

Broussard, who led the team with 12 points and averaged 20.3 at state, was runner-up in the tournament MVP voting. The senior will next play at Seattle University, but the Eagles return four starters next season.

With a solid core returning — all with state-title experience — Federal Way is optimistic that second might not be a school best in 2009.

"We'll have a target on our back next year," said Barrington.

That's fine with Federal Way's coach.

"We'll be back," said Collins with a smile. "See you next year."