Bickford Shines as Eatonville Girls' Basketball Dominates Orting 63-38

The Eatonville girls' basketball team showcased resilience and determination as they bounced back from an early week setback, defeating their rivals, the Orting Cardinals, with a decisive 63-38 victory on Saturday evening at home.

Eatonville's Lillian Bickford, shown here in a game earlier in the season, matched her career-high with 16 points in the Cruisers win over rival Orting. Photo: Annie Norman

The Cruisers faced an early deficit, trailing 9-7, but swiftly turned the tide with an impressive 18-0 run, establishing a commanding lead they maintained throughout the game.

Bailey Andersen led the charge with a game-high 22 points, demonstrating her scoring prowess on the court. Junior post Lillian Bickford matched her career high with 16 points and achieved her first double-double of the season, pulling down an impressive 10 rebounds.

Head Coach Deanna Andersen praised Bickford's performance, stating, "Lillian's extra practice over the summer is really paying off during games. The girls are getting better at getting her passes she can use."

The scoring distribution for Eatonville highlighted a well-rounded team effort, with Hailey Hall contributing 8 points and 5 rebounds, Ryan Stammen adding 7 points, Sara Smith chipping in 5 points and 6 rebounds, Sadie Mettler recording 3 points and 4 rebounds, and Kyleigh Backlund putting up 2 points along with 4 rebounds.

In their earlier game of the week against Black Hills, the Lady Cruisers faced challenges finding the basket, posting a season-low 42 points. Despite the defeat, Bailey Andersen showcased her scoring prowess with a season-high 27 points. Hailey Hall displayed her dominance on the boards, pulling down an incredible 15 rebounds.

Looking ahead, the Eatonville girls' basketball team is set to continue their season with confidence. They will face Castle Rock on Thursday, December 14, and host Morton-White Pass on Saturday, December 16, aiming to build on their recent success and carry the momentum into upcoming matchups.