Ferris Achieves Perfection Again

Entering Saturday night’s state championship game, Ferris’ undefeated record was just a number, one that would have been forever tarnished if the Saxons were to lose. But after a ferocious start against Federal Way, Ferris never looked back, dominating their competition once again on their way to a 68-44 win.

The Saxons (30-0) defended their title in style last night at the Tacoma Dome, adding a definitive exclamation point to another undefeated season.

After jumping out to a 10-2 lead early in the first quarter, Ferris kept the pressure on Federal Way. Tournament MVP Jared Karstetter was on for the Saxons in the first half, scoring 9 points on 4 of 5 shooting.

But as always, it was not a one man show for Ferris. Karstetter finished with 15 points and was one of four Ferris starters, all seniors playing in their last high school game, to score in double digits. Jeff Minnerly, a second team all tournament selection, played a solid game, going 4 of 7 from the field and 1 for 1 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points.

Erick Cheadle was lights out all night, going 5 for 5 from long range, and finishing with 17 points overall. It seemed that the air left the Tacoma Dome every time Cheadle caught the ball behind the arc, only to be replaced by the cheers of Saxons fans after the senior knocked down yet another long range jumpshot. Cheadle’s most impressive shot of the night game as the first half buzzer sounded, as Cheadle sank a half court shot that looked good all the way, giving his team a 37-24 lead at the half.

Deangelo Casto, another all tournament selection, was quiet in the first half, only to explode in the second. Casto scored a bulk of his 18 points in the second half, including two thunderous dunks that shook the backboard. His presence was also felt on the defensive side of the ball, as Casto finished with a tournament record 8 blocks.

“[My blocks] are a part of my game that I really pride myself on,” said Casto. “Coach calls me the goalie.”

Overall, it was a totally team oriented effort, which is exactly the kind of mindset needed to win fifty eight straight games over the course of two seasons. A team of that caliber would not be able to have a weak link anywhere in it, and on Saturday night, a weak link was definitely not evident.

“There is no weak-link on this team. Down to the end of the bench,” Casto said, with a laugh. “Even our manager, I can guarantee puts more hours in than any other manager in the state.”

Federal Way was led by senior forward Aaron Broussard, who scored 11 points. The Eagles played hard throughout the game, and never gave up their dreams of winning the state title even after the game was out of reach.

“They didn’t drop their heads,” Eagles coach Jerome Collins said of his squad after accepting their second place trophy. “They came with some intensity, some emotion. If some shots would have fallen, it could have been a difference.”

Unfortunately for Federal Way, they ran into a machine that was not only well oiled, but had been to the big game before. Ferris won the 2007 4A title by beating Kentridge in a double overtime thriller last year. Their experience from that game seemed to help the Saxons to stay calm at the beginning while the Eagles struggled to settle in.

“I really think being here last year helped us. Last year, we came in over-excited and made a couple of knuckle-headed plays,” said Casto. “But this year, we just came in and played well.”

As the reality began to set in that a second state title was inevitably theirs, and undefeated chants were heard from the Ferris student section, all the Ferris players could do was wait for the final buzzer to sound. When it finally did, the Saxons ran onto the court together one last time, celebrating another state championship and a place in WIAA history as two time undefeated state champions.