Boys 4A: Lewis and Clark can’t find late run in loss to Federal Way

An all-Greater Spokane League final was not to be.

Jaden McDaniels scored 29 points and sixth-seeded Federal Way (27-1) opened up a close game in the latter stages to beat No. 9 seed Lewis and Clark (19-9) 62-53 in a state 4A semifinal at the Tacoma Dome on Friday.

Federal Way faces Gonzaga Prep in the state title game on Saturday at 3 p.m., while the Tigers play in third-place game against Richland at 1 p.m.

Naje Smith led the Tigers with 24 points and seven rebounds. Jonny Love added 15 points with three 3-pointers.

“Obviously I thought we could play with them,” said Lewis and Clark coach Jim Redmon. “We had some slip-ups, gave them some separation. They’re hard to play if they’re ahead.”

Federal Way entered play averaging 80.8 points – topping 90 nine times – and allowing 48.

“You’re happy about (certain) things,” said Redmon, “but I really think we could have beat them.”

“Starting out I think a lot of people doubted us,” said Smith. “I feel like we came through as trailblazers… proving a lot of people wrong getting this far.”

Lewis and Clark led 16-6 after one. But Federal Way outscored the Tigers 23-8 in the second quarter to lead 29-24 at intermission.

Smith made a layup and a pair of free throws early in the third to get within one at 31-30.

Federal Way bounced back with a 12-5 run to end the frame and led 43-35 to start the fourth quarter.

Jonny Love nailed a 3-pointer and Xavier Guillory hit a pair of free throws to get the Tigers to within six at 47-41 with four and a half minutes left.

But Etan Collins put-back a miss and Marcus Allen hit a floater in the lane to make it 10-point game at the 3 minute mark.

The Tigers didn’t have another run in them.