BASKETBALL: Federal Way’s Benton named first-team, All-State by AP

Federal Way High School senior Raven Benton was voted onto the first-team Class 4A 2013 Associated Press Washington state girls basketball team, which was released Monday.

Federal Way High School senior Raven Benton was voted onto the first-team Class 4A 2013 Associated Press Washington state girls basketball team, which was released Monday.

Benton had a huge season for the Eagles. The 5-foot-10 wing averaged an eye-popping 26.6 points a game and had nine games of 30 or more points. Benton was joined on the 4A first-team by Mount Rainier’s Brittany McPhee, Lake Stevens’ Brooke Pahukoa, Skyline’s Haley Smith and Mead’s Jade Redmon.

McPhee, a junior, was also voted the 2013 Associated Press Washington state girls basketball Player of the Year. Bothell’s Zach LaVine was the Player of the Year on the boys’ side. LaVine, a senior guard, will play next season at UCLA.

Benton led the Federal Way to a 12-4 season in the South Puget Sound League South Division, which was good for third place. The Eagles advanced into the West Central/Southwest District Tournament, but were eliminated.

During the season, Benton scored 638 of Federal Way’s 1,323 points this season (48 percent) and was in double figures in all 24 games. During her career, Benton finished with 1,304 points and played at a pair of state tournaments.

Benton was also named the Most Valuable Player in the SPSL South, All-Area by The News Tribune and Seattle Times and the Mirror’s Player of the Year.

In the Eagles’ second game of the season, Benton poured in 38 points during a 58-55 win over Rogers and 38 during a 66-65 loss to Kentwood at the SPSL Tournament. She also had games of 37, two of 36, 35, 34 and two 30-point outbursts this season.

As a junior, Benton averaged 15.2 points, leading Federal Way to a 22-6 record and the SPSL South title.