FW shoots down Puyallup in double OT

By COLE COSGROVE

Associate editor

Despite being double- and triple-teamed all night, Federal Way senior Nate Sanchez scored four of his 25 points in the second overtime period as the Eagles took a 61-58 win over previously unbeaten Puyallup Tuesday.

Federal Way takes over first place in the SPSL with a 3-0 league record.

Federal Way junior Darius Alo converted two free throws with 4.3 seconds left to seal the win for the Eagles.

The third time was the charm at the line for Alo, who had missed three out of four free throws in a 30-second span prior to his final shots.

“I wasn’t really nervous,” Alo said. “I was just glad my teammates could put me in a position to help us win.”

It was the second time in as many games that Alo had a hand in an Eagle victory. Last week, Alo tipped in the winning basket in the final seconds to beat Bethel 44-42.

“I’m just playing my role,” Alo said. “I do the little things. We know where our bread and butter is.”

Federal Way gets the bulk of its scoring on the inside from Sanchez and from the outside by senior guard Myron Hennings, who scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, against Puyallup.

Puyallup used a zone defense that put three players down low to keep Sanchez from receiving the ball.

“It’s frustrating, but it will open up other people on the outside,” Sanchez said.

The Eagles are undefeated in the SPSL thanks largely in part to role players like Alo, rebounding machine Dominque DeGrate and defensive specialist Greg Warren.

“We don’t mind doing it for each other,” Alo said. “We’re like a family.”

After Puyallup’s go-to player Rob Iverson scored 19 points before halftime, Warren held him to just a pair of free throws in the second half.

With the loss, Puyallup falls to third place with a 2-1 record. Curtis is in second place with a 2-0 league record. Federal Way, which played Emerald Ridge last night, plays at Curtis on Jan. 10.

In other SPSL games, Decatur picked up its first win of the season with a 76-65 victory over Spanaway Lake Tuesday.

Seniors Brandon Hicks and Tamarria Landers scored 20 points each to lead the Gators (1-2 in league).

Emerald Ridge beat Jefferson 76-53 Tuesday. Kyle Jenkins scored 14 for the Raiders (0-2 in league).

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