Eatonville’s Shay Brannon jumps past Castle Rock’s Trevor Rogen for a basket. Brannon led the Cruisers with 24 points to help defeat the Rockets, 64-53, last week.
Cheryl Taylor
Despite struggling with turnovers and foul troubles most of the night, Eatonville still outpaced Castle Rock as they downed the Rockets, 64-53, in the first round of the Southwestern Washington District 4 boys basketball playoffs Friday night at Rainier Connect Arena in Eatonville.
This was a rematch of last year's district championship game that saw the Rockets edge the Cruisers, 44-42, in a close battle. The Cruisers got their revenge in this game and sent Castle Rock to the consolation rounds.
After a close game in the first quarter, Eatonville's Shay Brannon scored 12 points to help the Cruisers take a two-point advantage, 16-14.
The Cruisers used a 6-0 run early in the second quarter to build that margin and take an 11-point lead into the locker room at 37-26. Griffin Clevenger's nine points were key to that lead.
The Rockets wouldn't roll over though, and they battled back in the third quarter to cut the Cruiser lead to six. With the Cruisers leading 46-40, Clevenger hit a three-quarters-court shot as time expired to extend their lead to nine entering the final period.
Foul trouble crept up on the Cruisers in the final period with Brannon and Kyle Cox fouling out, but not before they combined for eight of the Cruisers' points in the quarter. The rest of the team took over and limited the Rockets to only five points in the final four minutes to help lead Eatonville to the win.
Brannon led Eatonville with 24 points.
With that win, Eatonville advanced to the semifinals and hosted the Elma Eagles Tuesday at Rainier Connect Arena at Eatonville High School. Results were not available before press time.
Eatonville has had the upper hand over Elma in their two meetings this season with Eatonville winning both games by double digits, 88-67 and 68-58.
The winner of that game will head to the district championship game on Saturday.
EATONVILLE 64, CASTLE ROCK 53
Eatonville 16 21 12 15 — 64
Castle Rock 14 12 14 13 — 53
Eatonville: Shay Brannon 24, Kyle Cox 16, Griffin Clevenger 12, Hunter Klumpar 5, Walker Bruun 4, Mark Nueva 2, Shane Taylor 1.
Castle Rock: Trystin Marin 31, Lane Partridge 10, James Montgomery 10, Trevor Rogen 2.
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