Lady Cruisers Dominate King's Way, Secures Spot in Consolation Championship

In a thrilling do-or-die showdown, the Eatonville Cruiser girls’ basketball team delivered a commanding performance, securing a decisive 50-32 victory over the King’s Way Christian Knight’s, propelling them into the consolation championship game and a shot at a state berth.

Eatonville senior Ryan Stammen brings the ball up court in the Cruisers district playoff game against King's Way Christian on Thursday night. Stammen's great defense and rebounding helped the Cruisers seal a 50-32 victory. Her 8 boards were a game-high. Photo: Andrea Stammen.

Right from the opening tip-off, the Cruisers asserted their dominance, establishing an early lead they would never relinquish. Their relentless defense held the Knight’s scoreless in a staggering first-quarter shutout, as Eatonville embarked on a blistering 14-0 run that bled into the second quarter, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. King’s Way struggled to find their offensive rhythm, notching their first bucket a mere two minutes into the second frame.

The defensive prowess of the Eatonville squad proved instrumental, as stalwarts like Lillian Bickford, Sara Smith, and Sadie Mettler effectively contained the Knight’s offensive inside threats, forcing them into a barrage of perimeter shots.

Head Coach Deanna Andersen lauded her team's interior defense, emphasizing their ability to stifle King’s Way's inside game and force them to settle for shots from beyond the arc. Indeed, six of the Knight’s twelve field goals came from three-point range, a testament to Eatonville's suffocating defense.

Despite a late surge from King’s Way in the fourth quarter, Eatonville maintained their composure, ultimately sealing the victory with a commendable shooting performance. Shooting an impressive 59% from the field, the Cruisers converted 20 of their 34 attempts, while also capitalizing on 60% of their free throw opportunities.

Bailey Andersen spearheaded Eatonville's offensive charge with a stellar performance, tallying 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Sara Smith contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds. Hailey Hall added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and a blocked shot while Ryan Stammen had a game-high 8 rebounds to bolster the Cruisers' formidable attack. Remarkably, ten of the team's eleven players made their mark on the stat sheet, underscoring their collective effort and depth.

With this crucial win, the Lady Cruisers now set their sights on the consolation bracket championship game of the double-elimination tournament. They are slated to face off against the Elma Eagles on Saturday, February 17th, at Hoquiam High School in a winner-to-state, loser-out contest with tip-off scheduled for 12:00 pm.

Having already triumphed over Elma twice this season with scores of 58-43 and 54-44, Eatonville enters the matchup with confidence but remains wary of the unpredictable nature of postseason play.

Coach Andersen emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and executing their game plan as they aim to continue their postseason journey and uphold the tradition of Lady Cruiser basketball.