WIAA releases first boys and girls basketball RPI ranking of the season

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association officially released its first boys and girls basketball RPI ranking of the season at noon today.

The Federal Way Eagles boys were ranked No. 3 out 64 4A teams. Union High School and Gonzaga Prep were ranked No. 1 and 2.

The Decatur Golden Gators were ranked No. 23, Todd Beamer came in at No. 30 and Thomas Jefferson ranked No. 59.

For the girls, the Todd Beamer Titans placed No. 11 in the rankings. The Federal Way Eagles came in at No. 45, Thomas Jefferson is ranked 55th and Decatur finished out the rankings at No. 62. The full rankings can be viewed here.

“I feel good about it,” Todd Beamer girls basketball coach Corey Alexander said. “The teams that are above us are playing some good basketball right now. In the weeks to come hopefully we can be in position to be one of those top teams.”

WIAA executive director Cindy Adsit said in September the seeding would be based on the following criteria:

Win-loss record: 25 percent

Opponent win-loss record: 50 percent

Opponents’ opponents win-loss record: 25 percent

Margin of victory will not be considered.

The Federal Way boys are the only undefeated team in the top 10 but were seeded third. Had the Eagles traveled to Florida at the Walt Disney World tournament, a prestigious competition, that would have likely been reflected in their ranking, perhaps explaining why a two-loss Union team is ranked ahead of the Eagles.