By Gerardo Bolong

SPECIAL TO WESTSIDE SEATTLE

TACOMA -Mt. Si turned into an irresistible force early to disrupt Federal Way in a 61-49 in a winners bracket game at the 2020 Boys Hardwood Classic in the Tacoma Dome on Thurs., March 5.

The Eagles need a 2 p.m. win on Friday to remain in the tournament and earn a team trophy.

The Wildcats (24-4) came out with sharp passing and quick movement without the ball while defensively limiting the Eagles (24-5) to one and done possessions to lead 13-2 in the first quarter.

Remarkable shooting percentages from inside and outside added to the Mt. Si dominance as the Wildcats just kept executing to keep Federal Way in double digit deficits the rest of the game.

After a 21-10 deficit going into the second quarter, the Eagles fell behind by 33-19 at the half after closing within 24-18 on a Jaylen-Wes Williams three-pointer and two free throws.

Federal Way was unable to make significant dents in the deficit and trailed 47-32 after three quarters.

Double teaming regularly on defense, the Eagles got close at 49-38 two minutes into the fourth quarter, but Bennett O’Connor assisted Hayden Curtis for a basket ahead of a Hayden Curtiss three-point play to trigger a a five-point Wildcat surge that created a 54-38 difference.

The final score was the result of the Eagles refusing to quit.

Mt. Si shot 12 of 19 (63.2 percent) from the field in the second half after 13 of 23 (56.5 percent) in the first half. Federal Way was 10 of 23 (43.5) in its second half and 6 of 17 (35.3 percent) in the first half. The Wildcats were a sensational 6 of 12 from beyond the three-point arc for the game.

Williams and Jared Franklin had eight points each for Federal Way. Williams also contributed six assists.

Jabe Mullins used his 6-foot, 6-inch frame to power for 26 Mt.Si points on 10 of 18 from the field. He was also deadly on eight boards and eight assists. Tyler Patterson and Curtiss added 13 points apiece.