TRACKING THE GRADS: Basketball players excelling in college

Talia Walton — The Federal Way grad is currently playing her redshirt sophomore season at the University of Washington. Last year, Walton was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after averaging 13.6 points, which was 10th in the Pac-12, and 7.3 rebounds. She also had 58 blocks, which was second all-time in the history of UW, and made 57 3-pointers.

By Casey Olson • November 12, 2013 7:35 pm
Federal Way High School graduate Talia Walton is playing her sophomore season at the University of Washington. She was an All-Pac 12 Freshman Team selection last year for the Huskies.
Federal Way High School graduate Talia Walton is playing her sophomore season at the University of Washington. She was an All-Pac 12 Freshman Team selection last year for the Huskies.

Women’s basketball

Talia Walton — The Federal Way grad is currently playing her redshirt sophomore season at the University of Washington. Last year, Walton was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after averaging 13.6 points, which was 10th in the Pac-12, and 7.3 rebounds. She also had 58 blocks, which was second all-time in the history of UW, and made 57 3-pointers.

Walton hasn’t played yet this season for the Huskies after suffering a hand injury. Washington lost to St. Mary’s in their season opener on Nov. 8, 91-81. The Huskies did beat Concordia in an exhibition game on Oct. 31, 87-40.

The 6-foot-2 forward has started 31 games last season for the Huskies, who finished 21-12. Walton had knee surgery a month before the season started. She redshirted her true freshman season after injuring her knee.

While at Federal Way High School, Walton was named the Associated Press Class 4A Washington Prep Girls Basketball Player of the Year after leading the Eagles to the state title game. Walton averaged 17 points and close to 13 rebounds per game.

Raven Benton — The Federal Way grad is playing her freshman year at Long Beach State. The 5-foot-10 guard and the 49ers are 0-1 on the season with a 70-51 loss to Cal.

Last year, Benton led the state in scoring at 26.6 points a game. She also averaged 12 rebounds and 4 steals a game and was the MVP of the SPSL and a first-team, all-state selection.

Darah Huertas-Vining — The Federal Way grad is playing her sophomore season at the University of Great Falls in Montana. The Argos are currently 4-2 on the season. Huertas-Vining is a 5-foot-3 point guard and had 15 points in Great Falls’ season-opening win over MacEwan.

Men’s basketball

Cole Dickerson — The 2010 Federal Way grad is playing his senior season at the University of San Francisco. The Dons won their season-opener on Nov. 8 over Natre Dame de Namur and Dickerson finished with 15 points and six rebounds.

Last year, as a junior, Dickerson led the Dons with 15.2 points a game and 9.8 rebounds. The 6-foot-7 forward started all 31 games and San Francisco finished 15-16 overall and 7-9 in the West Coast Conference.

Isiah Umipig — The Federal Way High School grad is playing his junior season at Seattle University. Umipig finished with 22 points to lead the Redhawks during a season-opening loss to the University of Washington on Sunday, 88-78.

The 6-foot guard played two seasons at Cal-State Fullerton after standout career at Federal Way. Umipig had to sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but practiced with the team.

At Fullerton, Umipig played in 61 games for the Titans over two seasons and was named the Big West Conference Sixth Man of the Year after the 2010-11 campaign. He started all 30 games he played in during the 2011-12 season, averaging 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game to pick up honorable mention All-Big West recognition.

Marcus Tibbs — The Decatur grad is playing his junior season at the University of Victoria in Canada. Tibbs transferred after playing two seasons at Bellevue College. Tibbs has been impressive this season for the Vikes, averaging 12.8 points and seven assists. He finished with 18 points and eight assists during a win over Bishop’s University. Victoria is currently 7-0 on the season.

Danny Park — The Thomas Jefferson grad is playing his freshman season at Wheaton College in Illinois. Wheaton opens the season Nov. 15 against Blackburn College. Last year at TJ, Park averaged 9.7 points, 5.3 assists and grabbed 4.0 rebounds a game and led the Raiders into the postseason.

Eric Radford — The 2010 Thomas Jefferson grad is playing his senior season at the University of Redlands in California. The 6-foot-5 forward scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Bulldogs’ season-opening loss to Cal-State Fullerton.

Last year, Radford averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Redlands finished 22-6.

Xavyr Moss — The Jefferson grad is playing his senior season at Pomona-Pitzer College in California. Pomona-Pitzer opens its season Friday against St. Thomas.

Last year, Moss averaged 10.3 points and 3.5 rebounds for the 14-10 Sagehens. During his sophomore season in 2011, Moss was a first-team, All-SCIAC selection after leading the Sagehens in scoring. He took off the 2012 season to study abroad and teach English in Beijing, China.

Tracking the Grads appears periodically in the Mirror. If we missed someone, please email sports@fedwaymirror.com