Lady Cruisers Dominate Orting Cardinals 55-28 with Stellar Defense and Andersen's Double-Double Performance

In a commanding performance last Thursday evening, the Eatonville Lady Cruisers basketball team secured a decisive 55-28 victory over arch-rivals, the Orting Cardinals.

The game opened with an impressive 15-0 run by the Lady Cruisers, a testament to their intensive focus on defensive strategy. Head Coach Deanna Andersen remarked, "We have been focusing on our trap defense without reaching, and the progress was apparent." This defensive emphasis forced the Cardinals into turnovers on their first 11 possessions, setting the tone for the game.

Eatonville's Hailey Hall scores on Orting's Lily Catlett in the Cruisers 55-28 victory over the Cardinals. Hall would dominate in the paint and pull down 14 rebounds in the game. Photo: Kahla Hall

Orting managed to break their scoring silence with three minutes left in the first quarter, but Eatonville had already established a formidable lead, finishing the period with a commanding 21-4 advantage.

The Cruisers continued their dominance into the second quarter with another impressive 11-0 run. By halftime, they enjoyed a substantial 25-point lead, leading 33-8. Bailey Andersen led the scoring charge with 21 points at the half.

As the teams traded turnovers in the third quarter, Eatonville extended their lead with a 7-0 run, concluding the period with a comfortable 47-18 advantage.

Orting attempted a comeback with a 4-0 run to open the final period, but Eatonville responded emphatically with a 6-0 run of their own. The game concluded with the Lady Cruisers securing a convincing 55-28 victory over the Cardinals.

Bailey Andersen delivered a standout performance, matching her season-high with 27 points and 11 rebounds, earning her first double-double of the season. Hailey Hall made a significant impact on the boards, pulling down 14 rebounds to accompany her 8 points. Notably, nine out of the eleven Cruisers players contributed to the scoring.

With this win, the Cruisers improve their record to 5-2.

Looking forward, the Lady Cruisers are set to embark on a journey to Phoenix, Arizona, the day after Christmas, to compete in the Coyote Invitational alongside 15 other teams before diving into 1A Evergreen League play at the start of the New Year.