The third-time charm didn’t quite work out for the Conks Saturday.

Kentwood faced the two-time reigning state champions Federal Way for the third time in a month and lost 70-61 at Puyallup High in the regional round of the 4A state championship tournament.

The Conks played the Eagles Feb. 4 and won 69-59 and Feb. 19 winning 77-59.

This time Federal Way turned the tables as both teams head to the Tacoma Dome with a state title in their sights.

Last year Kentwood met Federal Way in the title game and lost 66-54. Kentwood’s plan is to change the outcome this year.

Federal Way came out of the blocks firing and by final minute of the second quarter had taken a 37-17 lead.

“We didn’t shoot well at all,” coach Blake Solomon said. “It was one of those night were it’s off and when you’re not making shots you have to defend every shot.”

Solomon said the good news for the Conks is, “We are still playing extremely. We put ourselves in position to be able to lose this game.”

Kentwood played Bellarmine Prep Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome past the press deadline.

In the third quarter the Conks began clawing back into the game. At the 6 minutes, 57 seconds Kentwood was down 37-21, at 2:31 the score was 47-35 and at the end of the third it was 49-45.

“We just didn’t make shots early,” Solomon said. “When you get down early we played catch up the whole night. I think it showed tired legs at the end. Defending and rebounding was the issue.”

Federal Way coach Jerome Collins said, “Personally I don’t like to lose. It was about pride. Not only did they beat us. They beat us pretty good. We looked at the celebration and used it as motivation. We came out with the thought if we play Federal Way basketball those things will take care of themselves.”

Collins said the Eagles had to keep Kentwood guard Darius LuBom and the other perimeter shooters for the Conks contained to win.

“This is a game of Xs and Os,” Collins said. “It’s like seven game series in NBA. You make adjustments. We definitely wanted to guard the perimeter. The threes from Kentwood is what beats you and we wanted to contain that. We wanted to funnel them into Malcolm (Cola)…. I thought we maintained our sense of playing hard. We mixed it up defensively and we took away the three pointers.”

It may not be the last time Kentwood and Federal Way square off this season.

“It was good tune up, playing back to back and playing one of best teams in state,” Solomon said. “For us to play them three time means we are battle tested.”