Cruisers show growth despite home losses to Vashon and Franklin Pierce

The Eatonville Cruisers endured a challenging week at Rainier Connect Arena, dropping two home contests while showing signs of growth and resilience that Head Coach Josh Bennett believes will pay off as league play continues.

Eatonville's Amari Samuel soars through the air as he scores two of his game-high 29 points in the Cruisers loss to Franklin Pierce this past Friday evening. Photo: Heather Quirie

Eatonville opened the week Tuesday, Jan. 6, against Vashon at Eatonville High School and struggled to keep pace from the opening tip in a 69-34 loss.

The Cruisers had difficulty finding any offensive rhythm in the first quarter, managing just two points on a Jake Brannon bucket. Vashon closed the period with a decisive 15-0 run that put Eatonville in an early hole. The Pirates led 17-2 after one, controlling the glass by a 13-6 margin in the quarter.

Eatonville showed more life offensively in the second quarter, sparked by Ryder Herbrand, who scored seven points to lead the Cruisers. Despite the improved scoring, Vashon continued to apply pressure on both ends and outscored Eatonville 20-13 in the period. The Pirates carried a 37-15 lead into halftime, building a 22-point advantage.

Vashon opened the second half with a 6-0 run, but Eatonville answered with an 8-0 spurt of its own, briefly cutting into the deficit. The response showed flashes of competitiveness, though rebounding again proved problematic. Vashon pulled down 10 rebounds in the third quarter compared to just two for Eatonville, a disparity that helped the Pirates outscore the Cruisers 16-15 in the period. Vashon led 53-29 heading into the fourth. Amari Samuel paced Eatonville with eight points in the quarter.

The Cruisers’ offense cooled off again in the final frame, managing only five points. Vashon closed the game on an 8-3 run to secure the 69-34 victory.

Samuel led Eatonville with 12 points and three steals. Herbrand finished with seven points and eight rebounds, while Jeremy Osborn added seven points and seven rebounds.

“We did not match their effort or intensity. That made for a really long night against them. Credit to Vashon they played hard and executed their sets we scouted heavily,” Bennett said.

“We talked after the game as a team and we all agreed we can give way better effort. The coaching staff knew the guys would bounce back and respond in a good way.”

That response came Friday, Jan. 9, when Eatonville hosted the first place Franklin Pierce Cardinals in a game that showcased both the Cruisers’ potential and areas still needing refinement in an 87-60 loss.

Before the opening tip, Franklin Pierce was assessed a technical foul for dunking during pregame warmups. Eatonville capitalized immediately as Samuel knocked down both free throws, giving the Cruisers a 2-0 lead before the game officially began.

Franklin Pierce answered with a 6-0 run to go ahead 6-4, and the teams traded baskets for much of the first quarter. Eatonville closed the period strongly with a 9-1 run, fueled by Samuel’s aggressive play. Samuel scored 13 points in the quarter, going to the free throw line six times and converting all six. Eatonville led 20-16 after one.

The Cruisers took care of the ball in the opening quarter, committing just two turnovers, but that changed in the second. Eatonville turned the ball over nine times in the period, leading to 10 Cardinal points. After matching baskets early, Franklin Pierce went on a 6-0 run midway through the quarter and closed the half with a 10-0 run. Eatonville trailed 38-28 at halftime. Ryder Herbrand led the Cruisers with four points in the quarter.

Eatonville came out of the locker room with renewed energy, opening the third quarter on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 38-38. The teams traded baskets for much of the period until Franklin Pierce seized momentum late. The Cardinals closed the quarter on a 15-2 run to take a 62-49 lead into the final period. Samuel scored 10 points in the quarter for Eatonville. Rebounding again played a role, as Franklin Pierce held a 10-4 edge on the boards in the period and outscored Eatonville 24-21.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Cardinals, who scored 25 points while holding Eatonville to 11, seven of which came from the free throw line. Franklin Pierce pulled away for the 87-60 win.

Samuel led all scorers with 29 points to go along with three rebounds and three blocks. Ryder Herbrand added 12 points and six rebounds.

Turnovers proved costly for the Cruisers, particularly in the second half when they committed 13 turnovers that led to 20 Franklin Pierce points. Eatonville finished with 23 turnovers compared to nine for the Cardinals. Rebounding was also an issue, as Franklin Pierce grabbed 35 boards to Eatonville’s 24.

“It was simply our effort and togetherness as a team that allowed us to play the way we did against them. I asked the guys after the game how it felt and they all agreed it was the most connected they have felt as a team,” Bennett said.

“Franklin Pierce is still a really really good team and their new Coach has done an amazing job with this group. We were tied 47-47 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter. We had them on the ropes for a while the game just got away from us a little in the fourth but that is ok. We showed what we are capable of when we are connected as a unit.

“This game was such a great learning experience that is going to pay dividends for the rest of league play.”

The Cruisers face a demanding road ahead. Eatonville travels Tuesday, Jan. 13, to Fife to take on the second-place Fife Trojans at McCrossin Court at 7 p.m., before returning home Friday, Jan. 16, to host the third-place Clover Park Warriors at 7 p.m.