KENT - Jenny Johnson and Maddison Rankin combined for 27 points on Monday, January 16, to lead the Kentwood Conquerors to a 57-42 defeat of state 10th-ranked Federal Way in a girls' basketball pairing at the Valley Medical Showcase held at the ShoWare Center.

"We needed better teamwork on offense and defense," stressed Eagle head coach Danny Graham. "We gave up too many easy baskets to make it easier for them. They took advantage of this. Our team has not played good defense for awhile. The team is getting better,but we would like to be further along at this stage."

Senior Darah Huertas-Vining, coming off the bench in her first appearance since spraining her ankle on January 3, provided a spark for the Eagles (10-3) with seven first quarter points as Federal Way claimed a 15-10 advantage after the first quarter.

With the Eagles trailing 19-17 in the second quarter, Huertas-Vining nailed a three-pointer sandwiched between her two free throws and a breakaway layin to help Federal Way to a 25-19 halftime lead.

Up to this time, the game featured an exchange of quick scoring streaks.

Huertas-Vining's three-point goal midway through the third quarter created a 31-27 Eagle margin, but the Conquerors (11-3) ran off nine consecutive points against a sluggish Federal Way squad to push ahead 36-31.

Federal Way organized its final charge, beginning with Sadie Bynum's rebound basket. Raven Benton followed with a driving lay in while being fouled and converted the ensuing free throw. Jasmine McEachin dropped in two charity tosses followed by Benton's steal and layin.

With the Eagles leading 40-36 as 5:40 showed in the fourth quarter, Alexis Berrysmith joined Johnson, Rankin and Sarah Toeaina in the final barrage that devastated Federal Way. Rankin had a pair of three-pointers in the closing Kentwood 21-2 rush.

Huertas-Vining finished with a game-high 19 points with six rebounds and four steals while teammate Benton notched 11 points with four steals.

Johnson popped home 14 points while Rankin closed with 13. Toeaina scored 11 points, but was valuable with eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Federal Way has only lost twice to in-state teams.

Kentwood 66, Thomas Jefferson 39

In boys' action, the Raiders fell back early and were unable to threaten the Conquerors. The Raiders stayed close in the first half, being down 9-7 after one quarter and still within striking range at 23-18 by halftime.

Kentwood pulled away and outscored Jefferson 21-7 in the third quarter on the way to the resounding victory.

Joshua Duckworth paced TJ with eight points.

Austin Benson and Jackson Huerta led the Conquerors with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Seattle Prep 71, Federal Way 43

The Federal Way boys basketball team played in a Martin Luther King Jr. tournament held at the University of Washington and took a beating at the hands of Seattle Prep of the Metro League.