1/31/2023

(Federal Way, WA)

In a matchup featuring two undefeated teams in NPSL play with long winning streaks, it was Federal Way who used pressure defense and a big night from Senior Vaughn Weems to defeat the Tahoma Bears 66-54 at Federal Way High School on Monday night.

The Eagles never trailed in the contest and raced to a 20-9 lead after the first quarter, the Bears stayed in the game in the second quarter with Federal way outscoring Tahoma by one point in the quarter 16-15 to take a 66-54 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Tahoma used a 10-5 run to get within single digits, but the Weems offensive rebound at putback followed by Colton West three-pointer extended the lead for the Eagles to keep a 55-41 lead after three periods of play. Federal way outscored Tahoma 19-17 in the third.

Tahoma continued to play hard and outscored Federal Way in the fourth 13-11, but it was too late a Federal Way held on to a 66-54 win.

Senior Vaughn Weems scored a game-high 19 points for the Eagles in the win and added double-digit rebounds and multiple steals that led to transition points for Federal Way. Fellow Senior Dace Pleasant had 13, Dane Lewis finished with 10, Kofi Peyton and Colton West had 9 each, all for Federal Way.

On the other side, Dalton Brown got going late for Tahoma with 12 points, Adam Davis and Logan McGough had 11 while Kevin Williams had 7.

With the win, Federal Way improves to 19-1 overall and 11-0 in the NPSL. They will wrap up League play on Thursday at home against Mt. Rainier to end the regular season.  They have now won 12 straight games, while Tahoma had their nine-game winning streak snapped with the loss. The Bears fall to 16-3 overall and 11-1 in NPSL play and next hosts Decatur on Thursday.

Vaughn Weems interview with ESN

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