All-City Girls Basketball Team: 3 from Federal Way, 2 from Jefferson comprise starting five

Published 11:36 am Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Talia Walton, Federal Way

The 6-foot-1 forward was the Eagles’ most consistent force all season, leading Federal Way to a 13-3 record in the SPSL South and a berth into the state tournament for the second year in a row. Walton excelled in all aspects of the game on both the offensive and defensive ends.

She averaged 12.8 points a game and scored in double digits in all but six games this season, including a 27-point outburst during a state-clinching win over South Kitsap Feb. 20.

She also led the SPSL in rebounding during the regular season by grabbing 11.8 per game. Walton also led the league in blocked shots and was 10th in the league in steals (2.13 a game). She was a first-team, All-SPSL North selection for the second time this season.

College programs are also taking notice. Walton is ranked as the 17th-best forward in the nation by ESPNU’s Hoopgurlz.com and the top forward in Washington.

Brittany Barrington, Federal Way

The junior guard still isn’t back to 100 percent after suffering a knee injury last spring. The injury kept Barrington out for the first month of the season.

But the powerful playmaker averaged 8.5 points a game and scored in double digits 10 times, including 16 points in the Eagles’ season-finale loss to Edmonds-Woodway at the state tournament. Barrington also finished seventh fifth in the SPSL in rebounding at 8.8 a game and was seventh in assists at 2.6 a game.

This is Barrington’s third-straight appearance on the Mirror’s All-City Girls Basketball Team.

Hannah Kiyohara, Jefferson

The multi-talented senior guard is making her third appearance on the All-City Team after another outstanding all-around season. Kiyohara, who has already signed a national letter of intent to play softball at Louisville, led the Raiders in scoring at 14.0 a game and was a first-team, All-SPSL North selection. She also averaged five rebounds and two assists a game.

She scored in double figures in 17 of TJ’s 20 games this season, including a 25-point outburst in the Raiders’ final game of the season.

Darah Huertas-Vining, Federal Way

The sophomore point guard was the spark plug for the Eagles all season long. The 5-foot Huertas-Vining led Federal Way in scoring at 14.6 points a game. She also led the team in assists at nearly four a game, steals and was the Eagles’ best 3-point shooter at 36 percent. Huertas-Vining also shot 74 percent from the free throw line.

The sophomore suffered a severe ankle sprain during Federal Way’s opening-round loss to Chiawana at the state tournament that the team never recovered from.

Unique Taufa’asau, Jefferson

The senior forward averaged 13.8 points a game for the Raiders, who finished in sixth place in the rugged SPSL North. Taufa’asau shot 44 percent from the field and got to the free-throw line an amazing 124 times during the season.

She also led the Raiders by grabbing 8.35 rebounds a game and in steals. Taufa’asau failed to score in double digits only four times during TJ’s season and her high game came during a win over Kent-Meridian when she scored 24 points.

Honorable Mention:

• Shyla Akins, Beamer — The junior was the Titans’ leading scorer all season long, averaging 11.5 points a game. She scored in double figures nine times, including 28 points in a loss to Jefferson on Nov. 30.

• Jada Piper, Jefferson — The freshman was the Raiders’ third offensive option all season, averaging 8.1 points a game and 4.4 rebounds. She also led the team in blocked shots and was second in assists.

• Chantel Dixon, Federal Way — The junior was the Eagles’ best defender for the third year in a row. The guard also averaged 6.6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists game.

• Ayesia Rogers, Decatur — Rogers led the Gators in scoring at 6.3 points a game. She also averaged four rebounds a game.

• Kayla Lipston, Decatur — The Gator post averaged four points a game and led the Gators with 5.7 rebounds a game.

• Taylor Winton, Beamer — The 6-foot-1 senior averaged five points a game and led the Titans with 6.71 rebounds a game. Winton also led Beamer in blocked shots.

• Meghan Graf — The sophomore post averaged 8 points and seven rebounds for Beamer.

• Dyesha Belhumeur — The sophomore emerged late in the year after the Eagles’ suffered numerous injuries. Belhumeur averaged 6.61 points and 7.1 rebounds a game and shot 44 percent from the field.