Cruiser Men get back on track after loss to Bulldogs

After dropping both of their games against White River and Franklin Pierce, the Cruisers Men’s basketball team were looking to bounce back with a trip down to Montesano for a non-league battle with the Bulldogs.

Things were looking good for the Cruisers as they opened up a 4-point lead over the Bulldogs and ended the first period of play up 15-11. Senior Tristan Schoepf led the Cruisers in the first with 4 points.

In the second quarter, the Bulldogs outscored the Cruisers 18-6, mainly due to Schoepf picking up his third foul with just over five minutes left in the half. He would sit out most of that quarter and the Bulldogs took advantage and opened up a 29 -21 leading into halftime. Schoepf would lead all Cruisers with 8 points.

Schoepf jumpstarted the Cruiser scoring in the third quarter as he chipped in 10 of his team high 23 points in the half, but the Cruisers were unable to chip away at the Bulldog lead and entered the final quarter trailing 51-40. Senior Jackson Roulst scored 6 of his 11 points in the third.

The Bulldogs continued to extend their lead in the final quarter and handed the Cruisers their third straight loss by a score of 62-50.

Dec. 20 found the Cruisers back in the comfy confines of the Eatonville High School gym, where they looked to end the three-game skid as they hosted league foes the Washington Patriots.

Junior guard Zach Smith would get things started for the Cruisers by scoring 9 of his 10 points in the first quarter to put the Cruisers up 20-10 at the end of the first.

The Patriot defense clamped down on the Cruisers in the second and only allow 7 points to keep the Cruisers within distance. The Cruisers led 27-17 at the half. Senior Jarrod Humphrey led the scoring in the quarter with 4 points.

Humphrey’s shooting hand stayed hot in the third where he chipped in 8 of his game total 12 points as the Cruisers would outscore the Patriots 19-7 in the quarter to go up 46-24 heading into the final period. Jackson Roulst chipped in 6 points and Tristan Schoepf added another 5.

The Cruisers fought off a Patriot attack in the fourth quarter to hold on and take the victory, 57-40. Schoepf and Roulst would lead the Cruisers with 13 points each.

That win would end the Cruisers 3 game skid and put their record at 4-4 on the season (2-3 in league play). They enjoyed a seven-day break before they headed off to Bend, Oregon, to play in the Bend Holiday Hoopfest Tournament from Dec. 27 - 29. The Cruisers will then be back in action on Jan. 2 as they play host to the Yelm Tornados.