Cruiser Boys Battle Hard Despite Two Tough Losses
The Eatonville Cruisers boys’ basketball team showcased grit and determination in two challenging matchups last week, as they continued to search for their first win since early January. Despite extending their losing streak to seven games, the Cruisers found bright spots to build on, with career performances from several players and moments of strong team play.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Eatonville hosted the Foss Falcons in a bid to avenge their 29-point loss from earlier in the season. The game began with a bang for the Cruisers, fueled by Amari Samuel’s offensive explosion. Samuel scored 11 points in the first quarter alone, propelling Eatonville to a 14-7 lead after an 11-0 run to close out the quarter.
The Falcons responded with a 6-0 run early in the second, pulling within a point, but the Cruisers answered with a 9-2 stretch, bolstered by Landon Austin’s career-high seven points off the bench. However, foul trouble plagued Eatonville, putting Foss in the bonus, and the Falcons capitalized by sinking nine free throws during an 18-3 run to close out the half. Foss led 33-28 at the break.
Foss extended their lead further in the third quarter, opening with an 11-3 run. Eatonville’s Lowell McWright drained a pair of three-pointers to keep his team within striking distance, but the Cruisers still faced a 49-39 deficit entering the final quarter.
The Falcons put the game out of reach with an 8-0 run to start the fourth. Nash Sherrard provided a spark off the bench with six points in the quarter, but Eatonville ultimately fell 71-58.
McWright led the Cruisers with 15 points, while Samuel contributed 13. Career nights from Austin (seven points) and Sherrard (six points) highlighted the team’s effort, and Michael Stogsdill added eight rebounds, six points, and three blocked shots.
Head Coach Josh Bennett praised his team’s fight despite the loss.“I am so proud of how our team battled all game,” Bennett said. “There was no ounce of quit. A few calls didn’t go our way in that second quarter, and that changed the momentum of the game, but our guys kept competing.”
Bennett also commended his team’s defensive effort. “Our half-court set defense is really good. That was on display tonight. The guys did an awesome job, and I am proud of them,” he said. “Ball bounces our way a few more times, and we make a few more shots, that game is ours.”
On Friday, Jan. 24, the Cruisers hit the road to face the Washington Patriots. Already undermanned due to injuries and illness, Eatonville faced an uphill battle from the start.
Washington used three separate 6-0 runs in the first quarter to build an 18-6 lead. The Patriots continued their dominance in the second, opening with a 7-0 run and closing the half with a 9-0 stretch to lead 45-15 at the break.
Eatonville’s offense found a spark to start the third quarter, as McWright and Colton Herbrand each hit three-pointers during an 8-0 run. However, the Patriots answered with a decisive 14-0 run, pushing their lead to 63-29 entering the final quarter. The teams traded buckets in the fourth, with Washington ultimately securing a 77-39 victory.
McWright led Eatonville again with 11 points, while Herbrand added nine points and seven rebounds. Carter Taylor chipped in seven points, and Sherrard matched Herbrand with six points and seven rebounds.
The Cruisers struggled to control the boards, as Washington outrebounded them 55-43. The Patriots converted 23 offensive rebounds into 26 second-chance points, a key factor in the loss.
Despite the tough outcome, Bennett praised his players’ effort and resilience.“Being shorthanded made it a little tougher for us,” Bennett said. “With that being said, our guys played so hard—no ounce of quit. It was great experience for more guys to get meaningful minutes, and that will pay dividends in the future.”
He also acknowledged the strength of the opponent. “I have a great amount of respect for Coach Hamilton and his team at WHS. They play really hard and are a tough opponent,” Bennett said. “The pace they play at and the tenacity they have on defense allows them to dictate how the game is played.”
The Cruisers (1-15) will look to snap their seven-game losing streak with two road games next week. They face Steilacoom on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., before traveling to Franklin Pierce on Friday, Jan. 31, for a 5:15 p.m. tip-off.
While the season has presented its share of challenges, the Cruisers remain determined to fight for every game and build for the future.
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