Simple arithmetic turned a possible championship level duel into an overmatch for most of the evening at Auburn Riverside High School

After early girls basketball losses to Auburn Riverside and Kentwood, Federal Way had marshaled its forces to defeat two top 10 state teams and record an unblemished record since that time.

Auburn Riverside continued to devastate all opponents to gain the ESPN RISE 30th in the nation ranking as well as the state's top ranking.

Minus two key players, the visiting Eagles fought strongly before dropping a 64-49 South Puget Sound League North match up.

Federal Way (10-3 overall, 6-3 league) played without two strong front line players, 5-foot-10 inch TyShana Burgess and 6-foot, 1-inch Jaleecia Roland.

As the team's leading scorer (15.4 points per game) and rebounder (10.6), Burgess missed her third game while on what coach Danny Graham termed a leave for personal reasons. Viewing the game from the sideline in a wheel chair, Roland, who averages 6.2 points and 10.4 rebounds, collapsed in class Tuesday, with undiagnosed health problems.

"She's been pretty sick," said Graham.

The Eagles drew to an early lead on the strength of Brittany Barrington's pair of three-point goals sandwiched around her standard three-point play as No. 2 Federal Way broke to a 9-4 advantage with 6:05 left in the third quarter.

At that point, the Ravens surged for 12-2 run to gain a 16-11 lead after one quarter. Darah Huertas-Vining's three-pointer following Talia Walton's baseline jump shot tied the score at 16-16 early in the second quarter. Brook Hinkens scored eight points in a 20-7 spurt that shot Auburn Riverside (13-0, 9-0) to a 36-23 halftime lead.

With guard Tanjunique resting a rolled ankle, the Eagle depth wore thin as the Ravens built a 21-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Showing plenty of fight, Federal Way closed the gap to 56-44 on Huertas-Vining's two free throws midway through the fourth quarter before Auburn Riverside pulled away.

The Eagles still have high hopes for high achievement.

"The effort at the end was great," added Graham. "We knew the game was over and our girls didn't quit. I was super impressed with that. We learned what we have to do to play small. Worse-case scenario and we don't get healthy, we'll get better. I still love our team." 

Barrington finished with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Walton scored 10 points, recovered 11 rebounds and blocked two shots.
For Auburn Riverside, Brook Hinkens led the way with 19 points. Mercedes Wetmore contributed 17 points and Kat Cooper delivered 11.