KENT - After slaughtering the tough teams of Mount Tahoma, Auburn Riverside and Kentwood, the No. 7 Mount Rainier girls' basketball team collided with a physically empowered and immovable force.

Worn down by No. 4 Federal Way's brutally physical and intimidating defense, the Rams were clamped down in the third quarter before finally falling to the Eagles, 66-56, in the Class 4A West Central III/Southwest IV bi-district championship game held at the ShoWare Center on Monday, Feb. 21.

"We didn't play that badly," said Mount Rainier coach Bob Bolam about the end of his team's winning streak after nine games. "They played that well. They pushed us around a little. We were out of sync from the beginning. They put a hand on us and never let us go where we wanted to go and made us initiate our offense really high. It was a tough game."

While fighting a slight MCL tear and bronchitis, University of Washington-bound Talia Walton was still key for Federal Way. The 6-0 senior scored 10 of her 17 points in the crucial third quarter and finished the game with nine rebounds along with five blocks.

"I'm a little winded and my chest is a little tight now, but I'm too focused on this to worry about it," she said.

Brittany Barrington was also an integral part of the Eagle arsenal with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Tanji Ajeto contributed 12 points.

The reasons for the Federal Way team success were basic.

"Defense and rebounding were the bottom line," said Federal Way coach Danny Graham. "We weren't going to let her (Brittany McPhee) get offensive rebounds and put backs."

McPhee, who had averaged 27.3 points after the first three tournament games, finished with a hard-won 14 points and 10 rebounds as an armada of defenders pressured her.

"As a freshman, she could get stronger, but she's still a fantastic player," added Graham.

As combatants in the Class 4A in the Columbia Bank/Allied Waste sponsored President's Day Tip-Off Tournament title day, the teams wasted little time. Players were allowed leeway to exercise aggressive tendencies regularly.

Although the Eagles owned superior size to body their opponents out of the block, the Rams stood toe to toe in battle and landed their own telling blows.

Freshman point guard Jordan McPhee and junior Kiana Gandy joined Brittany McPhee in the trenches as the trio combined for 20 first half points in their jousting against Walton and tough as nails Barrington.

Drawing upon their resilient resolve, the Rams from Des Moines fought the Eagles to a 26-26 halftime deadlock following Gandy's put back basket.

Mount Rainier regained a brief lead at 28-26 on Jordan McPhee's two free throws to open the third quarter, but Federal Way took back the lead for good on Raven Benton's outside goal and ensuing three-pointer. Brittany McPhee brought the Rams back within 31-30 with 5:21 remaining in the quarter.

The rising tide turned to the Eagles. Federal Way's defense finally eroded Mount Rainier away in a pivotal 14-4 run to a 45-34 margin after three quarters.

Trailing by 15 points on two occasions in the fourth quarter, the Rams avoided a complete knock out with a strong closing rally to drop a unanimous decision.

Jordan McPhee led Mount rainier with 16 points while Gandy added 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

Mount Rainier (21-4) opened the state regional playoffs against No. 8 Woodinville at Inglemoor High School on Friday, Feb. 25. Federal Way (23-2) faced a rematch against Bellarmine Prep, which was crushed by the Eagles in the bi-district semifinals.

Mount Rainier bi-district tournament players are Jordan McPhee, Maylnn Mitchell, Amber Guillot, Brittany McPhee, Zerina Kapetanovic, Amanda Goucher, Danika Santos, Eunyque Patu, Caoline Codd, Sage Workman and Kiana Gandy.

Assisting head coach Bolam are Lance Hepworth and Rod Wallis. Darren Rawie is the athletic director.