Federal Way rolls past Moses Lake in 4A boys quarterfinals

TACOMA – The Moses Lake boys basketball team found out why Federal Way is the State 4A tournament favorite.

The Eagles beat the Chiefs frequently in transition and from long distance, as Federal Way cruised to a 74-63 decision in an opener Thursday that wasn’t close at the Tacoma Dome.

Federal Way (25-2) is versatile. The Eagles can play above the rim, are deadly from 3-point range and can slow it down when necessary.

The Eagles made 12 of 23 3-point attempts.

Federal Way used a 9-0 run to start separating from Moses Lake (16-6) in the first quarter.

Moses Lake went on a 9-0 surge early in the second, pulling into a 19-all tie when Derek Martinez hit a 3-pointer.

The Eagles, though, got the lead to 12 points just before halftime before taking a 35-26 lead into intermission.

The lead ballooned in the second half.

A fastbreak basket by Timoney Buckley put Federal Way ahead 58-36. Mitch Hohman hit a 3-pointer from 27 feet at the buzzer to make it 58-39.

The Eagles’ biggest lead came at 66-42 with 5:52 remaining.

The hole got too deep for Moses Lake.

With substitutes in for both teams, Andrey Ulyanchuk hit a 3-pointer for Moses Lake as the game expired.

Vionte Daniels led the Eagles with 22 points, going 4 of 8 from 3-point range, and he also had seven assists. Ferron Flavors added 21 points, going 5 of 9 from behind the 3-point line.

Cesar Sandoval led Moses Lake with 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Hohman added 12 points.