Lady Cruisers Dominate Trojans in Pivotal Victory During Packed Week
The Eatonville Lady Cruisers had a whirlwind week of basketball, notching two impressive wins before narrowly falling in their third matchup. The week was highlighted by a commanding 55-39 victory over Fife on Friday, where a combination of dominant rebounding and stellar individual performances propelled the team.
Eatonville's matchup against Fife on Friday showcased their resilience and ability to control the boards, a key focus for Head Coach Deanna Andersen. Despite a slow start, the Cruisers rebounded—literally and figuratively—to secure a decisive win.
The game opened with both teams trading baskets, but a late free-throw surge put Fife ahead 14-13 after one quarter. Eatonville struggled with turnovers, committing eight in the opening period, but strong rebounding from Hailey Hall and Lillian Bickford kept the Cruisers within striking distance.
In the second quarter, Eatonville turned the tide with a 9-0 run, sparked by Bailey Andersen's seven points. By halftime, the Cruisers led 30-21, thanks in part to aggressive play in the paint, with Bickford and Tia Schanbeck combining for 11 rebounds.
Although the third quarter saw Eatonville commit seven turnovers, their defense and Hall's six rebounds helped them maintain an 11-point advantage. In the fourth, Andersen exploded for eight points, sealing the 55-39 win.
Andersen’s 23 points led the charge, while Hall recorded her second double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Bickford dominated the paint, pulling down a season-high 14 rebounds alongside seven points. Contributions from Alayna Meyer and Jordyn Green added five points each, and Schanbeck grabbed 11 boards to complement her two points.
“We talked about controlling the boards, being scrappy, and playing a clean game,” said Coach Andersen. “I feel we accomplished that, and it was a real key.”
Earlier in the week, Eatonville cruised to a 67-22 victory over Franklin Pierce on Tuesday, showcasing stifling defense and a balanced offensive effort that saw all players in the lineup score.
After falling behind 8-2 early, Eatonville unleashed a 15-0 run to seize control, leading 19-8 by the end of the first quarter. The Cruisers forced eight turnovers in the opening frame, setting the tone for the night.
Their defensive pressure only intensified in the second quarter, as Eatonville forced 11 more turnovers and closed the half on a 9-0 run to lead 36-14. Freshman Josie LaVergne showed great promise in her varsity debut, contributing six points and four rebounds.
The Cruisers' dominance continued in the second half, with an 8-0 run to start the third quarter and a 10-0 run to close it, effectively putting the game out of reach. The defense held Franklin Pierce scoreless in the fourth, cementing a dominant win.
Bailey Andersen led with 15 points and six rebounds, while Jordyn Green hit a career-high with 11 points, including three three-pointers. Hall added eight points and seven rebounds, and Meyer matched her season-high with eight points and six boards.
“To get all girls minutes is one thing, but to have all of them score and contribute is even better,” said Coach Andersen.
Eatonville’s week ended on a tough note with a narrow 52-48 loss to Black Hills on Saturday. Despite holding a lead for most of the game, the Cruisers faltered in the final quarter as fatigue and key injuries took their toll.
The game was tightly contested early, with the teams tied at 13 after the first quarter. Andersen’s eight points in the second helped Eatonville to a 26-22 halftime lead, which they extended to 39-33 by the end of the third behind six points from Bickford.
However, a sprained ankle sidelined Schanbeck late in the second quarter, and Eatonville struggled to maintain their dominance in the paint without her. Black Hills capitalized on a few late turnovers and surged ahead in the closing minutes.
Andersen led all scorers with 24 points, matching her season-high, while Bickford added eight points. Hall contributed six points, and Meyer and Green chipped in three apiece.
“Losing Tia really hurt us,” said Coach Andersen. “She’s a crucial part of what we do. Playing back-to-back games was tough on the girls, and they ran out of steam.”
Eatonville will look to bounce back with two home games next week. They face Clover Park on Tuesday, Jan. 14, and rival Orting on Friday, Jan. 17, with both games tipping off at 7 p.m.
“We made a few untimely errors in the Black Hills game, but we’ll address those,” Andersen said. “We’re ready to regroup and come out strong next week.”
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