Who: Garfield (22-1, 14-1) VS. Issaquah (17-5, 13-2)

What: 4A KingCo boys basketball championship game

Where: Juanita High School Field house, 10601 NE 132nd St, Kirkland

When: 8:30 p.m. (approx.) Friday, Feb. 21

What’s at stake: The conference tournament title, and seeding in the 4A Regional round

When Issaquah went to the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in California over the winter vacation, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

Only one win in four games, and what head coach Jason Griffith termed, “a reality check,” could have sent the Eagles into a tailspin when conference play resumed.

Instead, it has served as the springboard to a 4A Regional berth, and the chance to claim a KingCo title tonight against Garfield.

“These guys have confidence,” Griffith said. “We believe we can play with them (Garfield).”

The top-ranked Bulldogs have a lone blemish on their record, which came against the Eagles on a three-pointer in the waning seconds on Feb. 1.

Issaquah enter’s its third game of the year against the second ranked team in the AP basketball poll riding a seven game win streak, including tournament victories over Ballard and Roosevelt.

Griffith and his players said they understand the challenges presented by a pack of Bulldogs featuring a cadre of top-shelf talent, including transfer Tremaine Isabell, a 3A All-State selection last year.

“They have kids with the ability to take over a game,” Griffith said of Garfield. “You can’t lose focus with assignments.”

Isabell, who led Lakeside within seconds of a 3A state title last year, is now the leading scorer for the Bulldogs at better than 23 points per game.

Issaquah junior guard Ty Gibson said controlling Garfield’s fast break, and keeping them off the offensive glass, will be two of most critical tasks his team faces.

“We’re going to have to battle down low,” he said. “That is a big part of their offense.”

While the Bulldogs may have the high profile names, the Eagles are defined by a lack of superstars and offensive balance befitting a tightly-knit group, many of whom have played together since elementary school.

But that doesn’t mean the Eagles are lacking in moxie, and will continue to rely on the familiarity and deeply rooted friendship that has carried them this far and helped transform the tenor of the program.

“We know it is going to be a dogfight,” Gibson said. “If we play like we’re capable, we’ll have a good shot to win at the end of the game.”