Lady Cruisers earn first win under Caramandi

Eatonville picked up its first win of the season Friday night, holding off Foss 45-43 in Tacoma to close a busy and emotional week for the Lady Cruisers.

The victory marked the first career win for first-year head coach Chelsea Caramandi and came after three tight contests in five days.

Eatonville's Josie Lavergne gets into position for one of her game-high 14 rebounds in the Cruisers first win of the season. Lavergne would add 13 points to go along with those rebounds. Photo: Heather Quirie

Foss jumped out early with an 8-2 run, putting Eatonville in a hole before the Cruisers settled in. Eatonville trailed 13-10 after one quarter but tied the game midway through the second on a Morgan Laird jumper. A Josie Lavergne basket gave Eatonville the lead moments later, and the Cruisers carried a 19-15 advantage into halftime.

Eatonville took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Falcons 14-6 to stretch the lead to 33-21. Both offenses slowed in the fourth, with Foss trimming the margin to 45-43, but the Cruisers held on to secure the win.

Lavergne recorded the first double-double of the season for Eatonville with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Jordyn Green added 10 points and eight rebounds.

“This win felt overdue, and the girls earned it. It was a physical, emotional game, and while we're still working on slowing the game down, the composure we've been emphasizing in practice showed. I'm so proud of these girls!” Caramandi said. When asked about her first career victory, she added, “The win was very rewarding and motivating to the team”.

Earlier in the week, Eatonville dropped a pair of close games, starting Monday on the road against Centralia of the 2A Evergreen League.

The Tigers opened with a 7-0 run, but Eatonville responded to trail just 12-9 after one quarter. Centralia maintained a slim edge through the second, taking a 21-18 lead into halftime.

A 6-0 run to start the third quarter gave the Cruisers their first lead at 24-21, but Centralia reclaimed the advantage and led 30-28 entering the fourth. Eatonville surged ahead with an 11-0 run early in the final period, building a 36-33 lead with just over three minutes remaining.

Centralia tied the game with 1:24 left, but Eatonville answered on a Morgan Laird layup. A late 3-pointer and free throw from the Tigers proved decisive, sealing a 45-43 Centralia win.

Laird led Eatonville with 14 points and seven rebounds. Miley King added eight points and 13 rebounds.

The Cruisers were back on the floor Tuesday night at home against rival Orting. Eatonville raced out to a 13-0 start and led 19-5 after one quarter. Orting chipped away in the second, cutting the lead to 23-13 at halftime.

Eatonville struggled offensively in the third, scoring just four points as Orting pulled within one, 27-26, heading into the fourth. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Orting outscoring Eatonville 13-10 in the final period to earn a 39-17 victory.

King finished with 12 points and six rebounds, while Josie Lavergne had nine points and 12 rebounds.

Wednesday’s game against W.F. West was canceled due to flooding in the Chehalis area.

Reflecting on the early losses, Caramandi said, “The last two games have come down to just a couple of points, and while the results hurt, the growth has been incredible. We battled hard against Centralia and came out strong against Orting, and the improvement in less than a week have been huge. It’s been all hands on deck — our bench has been locked in and supportive, and that energy matters. We’ve already been in two late-game pressure situations, and those are valuable reps. The effort is there; now it’s about learning how to finish games.”

Eatonville returns home this week, hosting Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 17, and Steilacoom on Friday, Dec. 19. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.