Eatonville Shows Fight and Progress in Season Debut
- Skip Smith
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Eatonville opened its boys’ basketball season last Wednesday night with a tough lesson on the glass, falling 68 to 35 to Cascade Christian in a nonleague matchup that turned lopsided early and never swung back the Cruisers’ way.
Rebounding defined the night. Cascade Christian controlled the boards from the opening tip and built a double digit lead before Eatonville could settle in. The Cougars held a 16 to 5 edge on the glass in the first quarter and a 14 to 3 margin in the second. Those extra possessions fueled a 13 to 0 run that closed the opening period and put Eatonville in a 15 to 2 hole.
The second quarter brought more of the same. Cascade Christian stretched its run with four quick points before the Cruisers scored again. Eatonville managed only eight points in the period and five came at the free throw line. The other three came from a Jake Brannon corner 3-point shot that briefly lifted the bench. Cascade Christian kept pouring it on and sent Eatonville to the locker room down 37 to 10.
The second half, though, carried a different tone. Eatonville steadied itself and finally held ground in the rebounding battle. The Cruisers edged the Cougars 8 to 6 on the boards in the third quarter and found a better rhythm offensively with 14 points. They still trailed 56 to 24 entering the fourth but their energy changed.
Eatonville settled in during the final period. The Cruisers matched Cascade Christian’s energy, traded a few baskets and put together a late 7 to 0 run that drew a cheer from the visiting crowd and showed a team still fighting despite the deficit.
Amari Samuel led Eatonville with 10 points. Brannon added 9, hitting two of his four attempts from long range. Brannon and Nash Sherrard shared the team lead with five rebounds each.
Head coach Josh Bennett said the scoreboard did not reflect the strides he saw.
"I thought we showed a lot of growth and maturity in this game. Our culture is in a great spot and our team is on the same page. That is a great feeling as a coach," Bennett said. "Everyone is going to look at the scoreboard and see a final score. What they do not see is the growth of our group and the growth of our program that is happening internally. We are very grateful to keep growing together and excited for the opportunity to compete in four games next week."
Bennett acknowledged that rebounding has been a long term challenge.
"Rebounding has been an Achilles heel of the program in recent years. It is something we have stressed at practice and will continue to build and grow on. Our team fought extremely hard on the boards and honestly did not get rewarded how we should have. I know we will bounce back."
He also credited the opposition.
"Hats off to Cascade Christian. They are a very skilled and physical team. Coach Shackett does a great job with his program. It was a great first game for us to learn and grow together."
Eatonville’s schedule ramps up quickly. The Cruisers return home Monday, Dec. 8 for their home opener against Tenino at 7 p.m. They move into 2A SPSL play Tuesday, Dec. 9 at rival Orting, then travel to Tacoma to face Foss on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The week closes Saturday, Dec. 13 with a trip to Seattle to meet The Northwest School at 3 p.m.
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