Eatonville Shows Heart, Herbrand Delivers Career-High on Senior Night
- Skip Smith
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Eatonville Cruisers closed out a demanding week of 2A SPSL League play with a pair of losses, but not without extended stretches of fight, response, and growth against two of the league’s toughest opponents.
On Monday, Feb. 2, Eatonville traveled to Franklin Pierce High School to face the Cardinals, who had already handed the Cruisers an 87-60 loss earlier in the season. Turnovers again proved costly as Franklin Pierce pulled away late for a 65-46 win.
Eatonville dug itself an early hole in the opening quarter, committing 13 first-quarter turnovers. Colton Herbrand opened the scoring with a steal and a lay-in, but Franklin Pierce followed with a 12-0 run to jump out to a 12-3 lead. The Cruisers settled in late, closing the quarter on a 7-2 run to pull within five. Herbrand scored six of Eatonville’s nine points in the quarter as the Cardinals led 14-9 after one.
The Cruisers struck first in the second quarter when Nash Sherrard knocked down a jumper to make it 14-11. After a Cardinal layup and another Eatonville turnover that led to points, the deficit grew to seven. Eatonville responded with its best stretch of the half, working the ball around before Jake Brannon buried a three-pointer that sparked a 7-0 run and tied the game at 18-18 with 5:28 left before halftime. Franklin Pierce closed strong, however, outscoring Eatonville 12-4 the rest of the way to take a 30-22 lead into the break. Brannon led Eatonville with five points in the half, while Sherrard added four points and five rebounds.
Eatonville again opened the scoring in the third quarter, this time on a Sam Twedt drive that cut the lead to six. The Cardinals answered with a pair of baskets to push the margin into double digits before Twedt drilled a three-pointer to make it 34-27 with 6:50 remaining. Franklin Pierce responded decisively, rolling off a 15-0 run to build a 49-27 lead and effectively put the game out of reach. A Jeremy Osborn Jr. jumper stopped the run with 3:10 left in the quarter, but the damage was done. Eatonville trailed 54-33 entering the fourth.
The Cruisers matched Franklin Pierce over the final eight minutes and outscored the Cardinals 13-11 in the quarter, but could not overcome the third-quarter surge, falling 65-46.
Twedt led Eatonville with 10 points. Brannon finished with eight points, including two three-pointers, and added a couple of blocked shots. Sam Kralik provided a strong spark off the bench with seven points, 10 rebounds, and a pair of steals. Herbrand added six points and three steals. Lane Hinderman scored five points off the bench. Osborn Jr. and Sherrard each finished with four points, with Sherrard also pulling down six rebounds. Adam Ames chipped in two points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Ryder Herbrand grabbed eight rebounds despite being held scoreless.
“The team gave great effort and battled till the very end in this game,” head coach Josh Bennett said. “Franklin Pierce is a tough team, but we responded to a lot of their runs they went on with our own runs.”
Bennett also praised his team’s physical play inside.
“It didn't necessarily show on the stat sheet but we battled inside with them all night,” he said. “We were very physical and made it tough on them at times. Coaching staff was very proud of the fight we put up.”
Eatonville returned home Friday, Feb. 6, to host first-place Fife at Rainier Connect Arena on Senior Night, honoring four players and a manager before tipoff. Seniors Landon Austin, Carter Taylor, Jake Brannon, Colton Herbrand, and manager Stacie Devera were recognized for their dedication to the program over the past four years.
The Trojans, who pulled away late in a 63-44 win in the season’s first meeting, again took advantage of turnovers, forcing Eatonville into 30 giveaways. Still, the Cruisers stayed within striking distance throughout much of the night before falling 66-53.
The teams traded baskets early, with Eatonville using a late 5-0 run to take an 11-10 lead after one quarter. Herbrand led the Cruisers with four points.
Fife opened the second quarter with a 9-3 spurt to grab a 19-14 lead. Eatonville answered with a 4-0 run to pull within one midway through the period. The Trojans pushed the lead to six before Sam Kralik knocked down a three-pointer to make it 24-21. After a Trojan basket and free throw, Kralik struck again from deep to close the quarter, keeping the Fife lead to three at halftime. Kralik scored eight points in the quarter.
The Cruisers scored first in the third, but the teams traded baskets until Fife closed the period on an 11-1 run to stretch the lead to 50-39. Herbrand scored eight points in the quarter to pace Eatonville.
Eatonville opened the fourth with a 5-0 surge to cut the deficit to six, but Fife responded with a 7-1 run to restore a 12-point cushion. The Cruisers made one final push with a 6-2 run, pulling within eight, before the Trojans closed the game with a 7-2 run.
Herbrand made his Senior Night one to remember, scoring a season-high and career-high 19 points to lead all scorers. He added three steals and two rebounds. Kralik finished with a season-high and career-high 13 points and four rebounds.
Bennett took time after the game to reflect on his departing seniors.
On Austin, he said, “Easily without a doubt - the most coachable kid I have ever coached. He is a true cruiser through and through. He is wise beyond his years, and an excellent teammate. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
Of Taylor, Bennett said, “A kid who gives it his all every time he steps on the court. He has a motor like no other. He has made countless momentum changing plays over his career that has been huge for our teams. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
On Brannon, he added, “His athleticism and character make him special. We are better off when Jake is healthy and on the court. I am very proud of how he stepped up this year not only with shooting but with his aggressiveness on the defensive side of the ball. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
And on Herbrand, Bennett said, “Another high character kid who plays the game with a fierce passion, and he is the ultimate competitor. You never have to question his effort. Colton will literally run through a wall if that's what it takes to make a play. He is a momentum changing player and has had so many special moments throughout his career in our program. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
Despite the loss, Bennett was proud of the effort against the league leaders.
“I could not be more proud of our guys,” he said. “They gave the team at the top of our league a tough look all night. We battled and responded the whole game. It wasn't the result we ultimately wanted but the competitiveness and effort they gave kept us in the game till the final buzzer.”
He added, “It is such a blessing and I am truly grateful to be the coach of this group. This team has grown so much this year. The team chemistry is really coming together and it is a fun brand of basketball. Our team is excited to go give it another shot on Monday against CP and see what happens.”
The loss dropped Eatonville to 4-15 overall and 3-10 in 2A SPSL league play, leaving the Cruisers with a very slim chance of advancing to the District 3 playoffs. The district field includes the top five teams from both the SPSL and Olympic leagues, with two additional at-large selections chosen by the seeding committee.
Eatonville will close out the regular season Monday, Feb. 9, on the road at Clover Park. The Cruisers will host the second-place Warriors at 7 p.m., with a win potentially boosting their chances of earning one of the final at-large district playoff
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