Boys basketball: No. 8 Tenino too much for Cruisers

In their lone basketball matchup last week, the Eatonville Cruiser boys faced a formidable challenge as they hosted the No. 8-ranked Tenino Beavers. The Cruisers, aiming to break their two-game losing streak, were up against a resilient opponent led by Noah Schow.

Schow, determined to secure victory for the Beavers, scored a career-high 44 points. 

The first quarter set the tone for Tenino’s dominance, with Schow contributing 12 points to give the Beavers a 19-10 lead.

Undeterred, the Cruisers mounted a comeback in the second quarter. Capitalizing on 10-0 and 7-0 runs, Eatonville outscored the Beavers 22-10, heading into halftime with a narrow 32-29 lead.

However, the third quarter proved pivotal, with Schow once again taking charge. Scoring 14 of his game-high 44 points, he propelled Tenino to a 27-10 quarter, firmly establishing a 56-42 lead.

The final quarter saw the Beavers extend their lead, securing a 76-54 victory over the Cruisers. Despite a valiant effort, Hunter Klumpar led the Cruisers with 22 points, connecting on 5 three-pointers, while Mark Nueva contributed 14 points.

With this loss, the Cruisers’ overall record dropped to 6-7, with a league play standing at 0-2. The team faces the challenge of regaining momentum to secure a spot in the district playoffs.

After a Tuesday game against Elma, the Cruisers set out on the road with a game against the Sultan Turks on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. This is followed by a game against the Grizzlies in Hoquiam on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 5:30 p.m.