Girls basketball: Eatonville looks for return to playoffs

The Eatonville Cruisers girls’ basketball team, led by head coach Deanna Andersen, is gearing up for the 2023-2024 season with high expectations after finishing in third place in the 1A Evergreen League last year. 

The team is setting its sights on returning to the Southwestern Washington District 4 playoffs and making a strong push for success.

Eight players from last year's squad are returning, providing a solid foundation for the upcoming season. Among them are three starters: Sara Smith (Sr.), Ryan Stammen (Sr.), and Bailey Andersen (Jr.). This experienced trio is expected to play a crucial role in the team's performance.

"We have a core group of players who gained valuable experience last season,” Andersen said. “The continuity and familiarity among the returning players will undoubtedly contribute to our success this year."

In addition to the starters, several key bench players are back, including Hailey Hall (Jr.), Alayna Meyer (Jr.), Ella Gendreau (Sr.), Lillian Bickford (Jr.), and Sadie Mettler (So.). This depth on the roster provides the team with versatility and options in various game situations.

One notable development is the establishment of a C-team for the first time in a while, a move Andersen sees as beneficial for the program.

"Having a C-team provides opportunities for incoming freshmen to develop their skills and potentially earn varsity minutes through hard work,” she said.

Speaking about offseason improvements, Andersen highlighted the progress of Lillian Bickford and Bailey Andersen.

"Lillian has become a force underneath, and overall, the team has gotten stronger and quicker. These improvements should positively impact our performance as we face tough competition,” Andersen said.

The coach also shared her thoughts on the recent rule changes, including the elimination of the 1-and-1 free throw and new foul limits in each quarter.

"It's going to be interesting," she remarked. "We have some decent free throw shooters, which could work in our favor. However, I'm not sure how much it will change our overall team defense strategy."

Looking ahead, Andersen emphasized the team's focus on staying strong and healthy while working on all aspects of the game. She mentioned a particular emphasis on defensive skill-building to capitalize on the team's quickness, and with under-basket players like Bickford, they aim to dominate the boards on both ends of the court.