EHS athletes raising money to compete in London basketball event

Eatonville High School juniors Bailey Andersen and Lillian Bickford have seized an opportunity to travel to London and participate in a basketball tournament this summer.

Andersen and Bickford caught the eye of a coach while attending an NBC basketball camp in Auburn in June 2022. Recognizing their skills, the coach nominated them for this chance. Following an application process and phone interview, both girls secured their positions on the team heading to London. They received confirmation of their selection in November of last year. The team comprises talented girls from Washington, Idaho and British Columbia.

During their time in London, from June 29 through July 8, Andersen and Bickford will not only compete in a 3-on-3 tournament north of Liverpool but will also face local teams in friendly matches. Additionally, they are excited about the prospect of experiencing the Beatles tour and immersing themselves in Liverpool's rich cultural heritage.

“I’m super excited,” Andersen said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we’re really going to make the most out of it. I’m most excited to see all the different cultures, architecture, people, food and especially the style of basketball that different countries play, if it’s any different. I’d like to make some connections while we’re there on both England teams and my own team since I don’t know any of my teammates besides Lillian.”

Bickford is excited to try new foods she said.

“What I’m super excited for is the food and to try a lot of new things,” she said. “I’m typically a picky eater, but who knows, maybe I’ll find something I really like there. I’m also happy to be able to meet a lot of new people and make more friends, plus it will be fun to play with different people and see the differences between how we play here and how they play there.”

The teens' head coach at EHS, Deanna Andersen, expressed great pride in their efforts and preparations.

"For most kids, traveling abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “They will grow both as players and individuals while navigating different cultures. I am very proud of the work they have already put into preparing for this trip."

However, this dream journey comes with a significant cost of approximately $6,000 per girl. To offset this expense, Andersen and Bickford devised a creative solution: a free-throw shooting fundraiser. On Saturday at Eatonville High School, both girls attempted 100 free throws each. They had various individuals who sponsored their efforts by pledging a specific dollar amount for each successful basket made. While that did inch them a little closer to their goal, they still need to raise more money for their trip.

The girls would also like to express their gratitude to the Eatonville Eagles club for their generous donation toward their trip.

To support Andersen and Bickford, interested parties are encouraged to contact Andersen, the girls' basketball coach. She can be reached via email at d.andersen@eatonville.wednet.edu or by phone at 253-905-4142.