Tough Night at Rainier Offers Growth Opportunity for Eatonville

The Eatonville Lady Cruisers closed out their non-league schedule this past Tuesday night with a tough road loss, falling 49-16 to the Rainier Mountaineers at Rainier High School. 

Eatonville senior Savanna Price fights for position in the paint while tracking a loose ball, finishing with a team high eight rebounds in the Lady Cruiser's loss. Photo: Heather Quirie

Playing in their final game of the calendar year, the Lady Cruisers struggled to find offensive rhythm against Rainier’s aggressive full-court press, which set the tone early and never let up.

From the opening tip, the Mountaineers made it clear they wanted to speed the game up. Rainier forced multiple turnovers in the first few minutes and quickly converted them into points, opening the contest on a 10-0 run.

Eatonville had difficulty even getting into its half-court offense as passes were deflected and ball handlers were trapped along the sidelines.

Despite the early deficit, the Cruisers did not fold defensively. After Rainier’s initial burst, Eatonville settled in and managed to hold the Mountaineers scoreless for the final four and a half minutes of the first quarter. That stretch was one of the brighter moments of the night for the visitors, as they competed on the defensive end and limited second-chance opportunities.

Still, points were hard to come by for Eatonville. The Lady Cruisers remained scoreless until the final minute of the opening quarter, when Savanna Price knocked down a jumper from just inside the three-point line at the top of the key. The shot finally put Eatonville on the board with 30 seconds remaining, but Rainier maintained control and took a 10-2 lead into the second quarter.

The second period followed a similar pattern. Rainier continued to apply pressure across the entire floor, forcing Eatonville into hurried decisions and rushed passes. The Mountaineers capitalized with back-to-back scoring runs, including a 5-0 spurt followed later by a 6-0 run that stretched the margin into double figures.

Eatonville showed flashes of resilience during the quarter. Josie Lavergne and Jordyn Green worked hard on the glass, creating extra possessions and limiting Rainier’s rebounding advantage. Morgan Laird added a basket to help the Cruisers keep pace briefly, but sustained scoring remained elusive.

By halftime, Rainier had built a 26-11 lead. The Mountaineers’ ability to turn defense into offense proved to be the difference, as many of their points came directly off Eatonville turnovers. For the Lady Cruisers, the challenge was clear. They needed to value the basketball and find ways to break the press if they hoped to make a run in the second half.

The third quarter, however, saw Rainier pull away for good. The Mountaineers came out of the locker room with renewed energy and quickly extended their lead. Eatonville continued to struggle against the press, and Rainier took advantage by pushing the ball in transition and attacking the rim.

Rainier outscored Eatonville 13-5 in the third quarter, widening the gap to 40-16. Green led the Cruisers with strong effort on both ends, finishing through contact for a basket and collecting rebounds in traffic. Price also made her presence felt on the boards, ending the night with a team-high eight rebounds.

Defensively, Eatonville continued to battle, but the Mountaineers’ depth and pace wore them down. Rainier rotated players freely and maintained pressure throughout the quarter, limiting Eatonville’s looks at the basket and forcing tough shots late in the shot clock.

The fourth quarter was another uphill climb for the Cruisers. Rainier’s defense remained locked in, and Eatonville was unable to score in the final period. The Mountaineers added nine more points to close out the game and secure the 49-16 victory.

While the final score reflected a challenging night for Eatonville, there were individual efforts worth noting. Green finished with five points, six rebounds and two steals, leading the team in scoring and providing consistent energy. Lavergne contributed four points and five rebounds, battling inside against a physical Rainier frontcourt.

Laird added three points and three rebounds, while Price finished with two points to go along with her eight rebounds. Delaney Livernash rounded out the scoring with two points, one rebound and three steals, showcasing her defensive instincts and hustle.

For Eatonville, the loss marked a difficult end to the year, but it also provided valuable experience against a high-pressure opponent. Non-league games like Tuesday’s are often used as measuring sticks, and the Lady Cruisers were able to see areas that need improvement as league play approaches.

Ball security and handling pressure will be points of emphasis moving forward. Against Rainier, turnovers led directly to scoring chances, and the Mountaineers made the most of those opportunities. Eatonville’s ability to slow the game down defensively showed promise, particularly in the first quarter, but sustained offensive execution will be key in future matchups.

Despite the setback, the Cruisers will have time to regroup. Eatonville will take a short break before returning to action on Friday, Jan. 9, when they host the Franklin Pierce Cardinals in a home matchup scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will give the Lady Cruisers a chance to turn the page, apply the lessons learned from Tuesday night, and start the new year with renewed focus.