Boys Basketball Preview | Federal Way at the top

FEDERAL WAY — Michael Hale is a gifted guard who loves sharing the basketball.

Hale's dilemma this season might be just who to share with.

After transferring from district rival Decatur to Federal Way High School last spring, he became part of a team loaded with talent at every position.

"When you have so many weapons, it's hard to choose who you're going to pass to," Hale said with a smile. "It's going to be a great year."

Especially if the Eagles live up to their preseason ranking as the No. 1 Class 4A team in The Seattle Times state rankings.

Other teams feature higher profile individuals — like Tony Wroten at No. 2 Garfield and Josh Smith at No. 5 Kentwood — but none has the collection of talent that coach Jerome Collins can call on.

"They're loaded," Garfield coach Ed Haskins said.

Unlike last season, Federal Way won't sneak up on anyone. The Eagles were the surprise of the 2008 Class 4A state tournament, rolling to the championship game before losing to heralded Ferris of Spokane. They lost leading scorer Aaron Broussard to graduation, along with two other role players. But Collins had plenty to work with, even before the addition of Hale, who cited academic reasons for his move.

Then came two other talented transfers — 6-foot-10 junior J.T. Koontz from Oregon and 6-6 Jaleel Williams from Texas.

Add those three to returning starters Jeff Forbes (6-0 senior), Andre Barrington (6-3 senior.), Cole Dickerson (6-7 junior) and Isiah Umipig (6-1 junior), and there aren't even enough spots on the court. Plus, the other six returning players have upped their games as well, according to Collins.

This team is so loaded that Collins has to admit it could be his best team in his 25 seasons. And, remember, Collins coached teams that included eventual-NBA players Donny Marshall (1991 graduate) and Michael Dickerson (1994).

"Potentially, it could be my best team because of all the multi-dimensional players," he said.

Players like Williams and Dickerson, who is the half-brother of Michael Dickerson, can play all five positions and one word Collins uses to describe nearly everyone on the roster is athletic. Forbes has already signed with Eastern Washington and Barrington has a football scholarship from Washington State.

Umipig is coming off ankle surgery and probably will be sidelined until early January and upon his return Collins said Federal Way will utilize a three-guard offense involving Umipig, Hale and Forbes.

Playing time will not be an issue, according to Hale.

"The main focus when we get on the court is to win," he said. "We don't have a problem with who gets what minutes or who's doing what, we just want to win."

Collins warns them to expect every opponent's best effort. While being physically limited in practice, Umipig does his part to keep his teammates level-headed.

"I kid around with the guys all the time and tell them, 'We ain't really done nothin' yet,' " he said.

And, despite that past talent, Federal Way has yet to win a state boys basketball championship. Many believe this could be the team to do it.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com