Top-ranked Federal Way holds off rival Kentwood, 61-53

COVINGTON — They're already talking about the rematch.

But score Round 1 for the Federal Way boys basketball team.

The top-ranked Eagles (2-0) survived a roller-coaster ride to beat No. 5 Kentwood on the road in a South Puget Sound League 4A North Division showdown Tuesday night, 61-53. They trailed 21-14 early, thanks to the inside-outside combo of Joshua Smith and Tre Tyler, then took advantage of their athleticism to build a 22-point lead in the third quarter, 52-30.

But Kentwood (1-1) cut the lead to two, 55-53, with 1:13 left in the game before the Eagles were able to regain control.

It was exactly the kind of game Federal Way guard Michael Hale expected.

"Whenever you play a good team in their house, it's going to be a hard game," said Hale, who scored a game-high 23 points despite jamming his right pinkie finger early in the fourth quarter. "Josh Smith is a monster inside."

Smith, a 6-foot-9 junior, put together 19 points and 15 rebounds in front of a high-energy crowd that included Washington men's basketball coach Lorenzo Romar and Louisville assistant Walter McCarty. Tyler tossed in seven three-pointers en route to a team-high 22 points. They combined for 16 of Kentwood's 18 first-quarter points, including three big jams for Smith.

"We did a poor job of sandwiching Josh front and back," Federal Way coach Jerome Collins said.

But the Eagles adjusted defensively and Smith had just four points in the middle two quarters. They also got their running game in gear and used their quickness to run off 13 straight points in the second quarter, turning a 21-14 deficit into a 27-21 lead. Kentwood had six turnovers in the period and at one point made just 1 of 6 shots.

Federal Way seemed to have the game well in hand with a 53-36 lead with less than six minutes left in the game, but Kentwood wasn't done.

"Our kids had every excuse to stop playing, down 20 and nothing going our way," Kentwood coach Michael Angelidis said. "All we said was, 'Let's keep our composure and keep playing a little bit of defense.' "

He said he was disappointed not to win, but added, "We feel very confident about the future of this team."

Smith said the Conquerors left the floor with confidence.

"We fought back, and everyone in that locker room knows we can win next time," he said.

The two teams meet again at Federal Way on Jan 17.

Hale got plenty of help offensively Tuesday as Cole Dickerson scored 15 and Jeff Forbes added 10.

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