Tahoma knocks off Federal Way, 48-43, will play for school’s first district title
Down by one with under a minute to play in Tahoma’s game against Federal Way in the 4A District 3/4 semifinal game on Thursday night, there was no doubt who the ball was going to. Senior 6-foot-7 Carson Talbert had been the offensive focal point all night long, so it was little surprise when he coolly backed down his defender in the paint and floated a hook shot in for the go-ahead score.
“We’ve been practicing all week, we’ve been preparing for that a week ago,” Talbert said of the play. “We knew they were physical, we knew that coming in.”
Tahoma hung on for a 48-43 win. It looked like Federal Way may have one last shot to win the game, down 43-44 with nine seconds to play and with possession of the ball. Eagles’ coach Yattah Reed called a timeout to discuss what type of look he wanted. The problem? Federal Way had no timeouts remaining, drawing a technical foul and effectively ending the game.
“I didn’t know they didn’t have one,” said Tahoma coach Rick Tripp.
Talbert was brilliant in the win, scoring 25 points — 15 of which came in the first half — throwing down a couple dunks in transition, hitting a 3-pointer, showing a low-post game and a fadeaway midrange jumper. He did a little bit of everything for Tahoma.
“It’s kind of interesting,” Tripp said. “He was cut as a seventh grader. For him to mature, work as hard as he has, get stronger and all that kind of stuff. He had a really good breakout spring for us. He’s been doing it all year. I think he’s 20 a game. We kind of expect it from him. He’s learned how to be patient with it.”
Tahoma, which has only appeared in the state tournament once in 1997, has never played for a district championship. On Saturday, the Bears will get the opportunity, facing the winner of Thursday night’s Curtis and Union game, the other semifinal matchup.
“We’ve never played for a district title,” Tripp said. “We haven’t been a basketball school. We’ve been wrestling, soccer, baseball and all those kinds of things. So we’re kind of — with the girls, as well — just trying to kind of put it back on the map. We got here four years ago, they were kind of on down times. We’ve been able to turn it around in the last couple.”
That’s thanks in large part to a large senior class on this year’s team that has playing together since the third grade.
“We’ve just challenged them in different ways,” Tripp said. “We have nine seniors and they don’t want it to be their last game. So they’ve bought in on what we’re trying to do and they’re working hard every day. This group is special.”
This year’s group feels it’s been flying under the radar. Maybe this district tournament run will open some eyes around the state.
“We feel like we’ve always been an underrated team,” Talbert said. “We weren’t even in the Top-10 for a long time. We’ve played some really tough teams. That prepared us for these types of games in the playoffs.”
Federal Way was paced by Isaiah Afework’s 16 points.
The Bears are playing their best basketball at the right time of the season.
“We’re really moving it, we all trust each other doing what we’re doing,” Talbert said.
