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Bellarmine Prep gets by Federal Way, advances to regionals
By Colin Caruso

In a great atmosphere at Mount Tahoma gym, the Bellarmine Prep Lions faced off against the Federal Way Eagles with a trip to regionals on the line in the West Central/Southwest District match-up.  Both teams came out evenly matched and neither team built a lead greater than two points in the first quarter.  Bellarmine Prep senior Sefo Liufau led the way for the Lions with five points and five rebounds in the quarter to take a two point lead into the second.

Federal Way began to use more zone defense in the second quarter, mixing in a 2-3 and a 1-3-1 to try and break up Bellarmine’s rhythm.  The defensive scheme seemed to catch the Lions off guard, and the Eagles forced six turnovers in the quarter and took a 25-24 lead into the half.  Brayon Blake led the comeback for the Eagles with six points in the second.

Behind two three-pointers in the third from seniors Isaiah Flynn and Carson Hollyoak, Bellarmine captured their biggest lead in the game 38-31 with 1:44 remaining in the third.  Despite turning the ball over six times to Federal Way’s two, Bellarmine played excellent half court man defense to hold Federal way to just six third quarter points.  The Lions took a seven point lead to the fourth.

Federal Way began their comeback early in the final quarter, cutting the lead to just two on a free-throw from sophomore Malik Montoya with 3:42 remaining.  Lucas Meikle for the Lions answered with two free-throws of his own, but Brayon Blake responded with a layup and a one for two showing from the line to cut the lead to just one.  Bellarmine added free-throws from Jacob Salazar to extend the lead and eventually closed out the contest with a win, 48-46.

It was a great game to watch.

Top Performers:
Federal Way
Malik Montoya (16 points, 4 rebounds)
Brayon Blake (14, 6 rebounds)

Bellarmine Prep
Lucas Meikle (13 points, 7 rebounds)
Sefo Liufau (10 points, 10 rebounds)