When second-ranked Gonzaga Prep boards the bus to return to
Spokane, the Bullpups might decide to take a detour that will
route them around the city of Federal Way.
For the second day in
a row, G-Prep fell to a school from Federal Way, this time losing
48-45 to Decatur in a loser-out game at the Class 4A boys
basketball state tournament Friday afternoon at the Tacoma Dome.
The Bullpups (24-4) entered the 16-team tournament as one of
the favorites to win the state title. Federal Way bounced them to
the consolation bracket on Thursday night when the No. 1 Eagles
defeated G-Prep 60-59 in overtime in the quarterfinals.
“To beat a team of this type of caliber,” Gators guard Jerron
Smith said, “is really big for us.”
Gonzaga Prep (24-4) twice had a chance to send the game into
overtime. The first came when Chris Sarbaugh’s 3-pointer clanged
off the rim and Gators senior Robert Oliver grabbed the rebound
with 4.1 seconds remaining. Oliver was fouled and sent to the free
throw line, but he missed the first shot of the 1-and-1. The
Bullpups hurried to get the ball up-court and a half-court shot at
the buzzer missed.
