Bickford Explodes for Career-High 26 as Lady Cruisers Rout Steilacoom
The Eatonville Lady Cruisers asserted their dominance Thursday night with an emphatic 66-27 victory over the Steilacoom Sentinels in a 2A SPSL League matchup, powered by a career-best performance from forward Lillian Bickford and a double-double effort from Hailey Hall.
Bickford delivered a standout performance, notching a career-high 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, recording her first double-double of the season. Hall was equally impressive, dominating the glass with a season-high 18 rebounds to go along with 15 points, securing her own double-double and helping the Cruisers control the game from start to finish.
The Lady Cruisers wasted no time making their presence felt, jumping out to a commanding 15-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Eatonville’s stifling defense held Steilacoom scoreless through the opening period, as Bickford, Hall, and Alayna Meyer each contributed 4 points to the early surge. The Cruisers capitalized on defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and limiting the Sentinels to contested shots while dominating the boards.
Head coach Deanna Andersen praised the team’s defensive intensity in the opening frame. “We were focused on defense,” Andersen said. “We had set some goals, so to hold them scoreless in the first quarter was a great first step.”
Steilacoom managed to find their footing in the second quarter, as Eatonville’s turnovers provided some offensive opportunities for the Sentinels. The teams traded baskets throughout the period, with each scoring 12 points. Despite the more balanced quarter, Eatonville maintained control, entering halftime with a 27-12 lead.
Recognizing the need to reestablish control, the Lady Cruisers stormed out of the locker room with renewed energy. Bickford continued her dominance inside, scoring 6 points in the third quarter, while Hall’s rebounding prowess prevented second-chance opportunities for the Sentinels. Contributions from Tia Schanbeck and Sadie Mettler, who each added 4 points in the quarter, helped the Cruisers embark on a 10-0 run to start the second half. Eatonville outscored Steilacoom 24-8 in the third, stretching their lead to 51-20 heading into the final period.
Eatonville kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter, opening with an 11-0 run that put the game completely out of reach and triggered the running clock after establishing a 40-point lead. Bickford continued to shine, scoring another 8 points down low, solidifying her career night and securing the win for the Cruisers.
By the final buzzer, Bickford’s 26 points led all scorers, while Hall’s double-double further bolstered Eatonville’s dominance on the glass. Meyer also had a breakout game, scoring a season-high 8 points and pulling down 4 rebounds. Schanbeck added 5 points to go along with 5 boards, providing key contributions on both ends of the floor. Mettler and Jordyn Green chipped in with 4 points each, while Miley King and Morgan Laird each tallied 2 points to round out the scoring. Notably, every Cruiser who saw action contributed to the score sheet, showcasing the team’s depth and balance.
Coach Andersen highlighted the team’s ability to adjust and build momentum in the second half. “We concentrated on a half-court defense that we haven’t had much time to perfect,” Andersen said. “We executed many of our plays correctly and were patient for the good shots. The fact that we have only had three games and are still trying to find our flow – when many teams have already played six or seven – has been a little bit of a challenge. But I think that win gave them a lot of confidence.”
“The girls have been working on staying patient and lowering our amount of turnovers,” Andersen added. “I think we did a much better job than in the previous two games. That was an important area of focus, and I’m proud of the way they responded.”
The victory extends Eatonville’s record to 3-1 on the season, a promising start for a team with high aspirations in league play. The Lady Cruisers had entered the matchup with limited game experience after their Monday contest against Washington High School was canceled due to the Patriots not having enough players. With only three games under their belt, Eatonville remains in the early stages of developing their identity, but Thursday night’s win showcased their potential when operating at full capacity.
The Lady Cruisers will now enjoy a brief holiday break before traveling to Arizona for the Coyote Basketball Invitational from Jan. 2-4, a tournament where they finished in third place last year. The team will look to build on their success and gain valuable experience against out-of-state competition. Following the Invitational, Eatonville will return home to host Franklin Pierce on Jan. 7, with tip-off set for 5:15 p.m.
With momentum building and their confidence soaring, the Lady Cruisers appear poised to continue their strong start to the season as they aim for a deep run in league play.
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