Cruiser boys basketball navigate early season rollercoaster

The Eatonville Cruisers embarked on their early-season journey with a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing resilience, offensive prowess, and areas for improvement in their first three matchups.

The season opener against Rainier proved to be a test of character for the Cruisers. Despite trailing for a substantial portion of the game, they orchestrated a comeback, outscoring the Rainier Mountaineers 17-9 in the final frame to secure a nail-biting 64-59 victory. Senior Mark Nueva emerged as a force to be reckoned with, leading the charge with a game-high 19 points. Hunter Klumpar complemented Nueva's performance, contributing 12 points and commanding the boards with a team-high 7 rebounds. A notable feature of their success was the balanced contribution, with seven different players making an impact on the stat sheet. Griffin Clevenger and Michael Stogsdill each tallied nine points, while freshman Amari Samuel showcased promise with eight points. Head Coach TJ Cotterill commended the team's defensive grit, citing it as the decisive factor in their triumph. Cotterill also highlighted Logan Taylor's disruptive defensive efforts and acknowledged Michael Stogsdill's growth on the defensive end. The game revealed both the Cruisers' defensive tenacity and areas for offensive refinement, setting the tone for the season.

Transitioning to their second game, the Cruisers hosted the Black Hills Wolves in a matchup that saw the lead swing back and forth. Senior Hunter Klumpar delivered a standout performance, notching a career-high 25 points, including six three-pointers. Mark Nueva continued his sharp shooting with 13 points, but the Cruisers fell short in the final stretch, allowing the Wolves to secure a 60-54 victory.

 Griffin Clevenger contributed eight points and eight rebounds, while Amari Samuel and Favien Pina added seven and two points, respectively. The game showcased the Cruisers' ability to compete at a high level, emphasizing the need for consistency and clutch performances in crunch time.

The week concluded with a road trip to face Cascade Christian, resulting in a 59-34 loss. Cascade Christian's early 10-0 run set the tone, putting the Cruisers at a seven-point deficit heading into the second quarter. Despite valiant efforts, the Cruisers struggled to contain Cascade Christian's offense, trailing 31-10 at halftime. A 12-0 run by the Cougars in the third quarter virtually sealed the game, as they entered the final frame with a commanding 30-point lead. In a silver lining, the Cruisers found their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cougars 19-14. However, it was too little, too late, as Cascade Christian secured the victory. Amari Samuel led the scoring with 9 points, Griffin Clevenger added 8, and Hunter Klumpar contributed 5. Dylan Norman and Mark Nueva each chipped in 4 points, while Nate Goode and Logan Taylor rounded out the scoring with 2 points apiece.
As the Cruisers navigate this early-season rollercoaster, the lessons learned from victories and defeats alike will undoubtedly shape their journey ahead. With glimpses of defensive prowess, offensive firepower, and moments of challenge, the team remains poised for growth and development as the season unfolds.
Next Up: Dec. 9^th vs Orting at 7 p.m.