Girls basketball: Cruisers roll to three consecutive wins

The Eatonville girls basketball team maintained its winning momentum this past week, securing victories over Rochester, Elma, and Hoquiam.

Currently, the Cruisers find themselves in the midst of a four-game winning streak, marking their longest stretch of success this season.

ROCHESTER WIN

In a commanding performance on Jan. 15, the Cruisers secured a resounding 58-40 victory over Rochester at Rainier Connect Arena in Eatonville.

The game saw Eatonville taking control early, establishing a 9-point lead after the first quarter, thanks in large part to Bailey Andersen's impressive 14-point scoring outburst. The Cruisers continued to build on their lead, heading into halftime with a comfortable 30-18 advantage.

The third quarter showcased Eatonville's teamwork, as six different players contributed to the scoring effort. Ryan Stammen led the way in the quarter with 5 points, helping the Cruisers extend their lead to a commanding 49-28 going into the final quarter.

The Warriors outscored the Cruisers 12-9 in the last quarter, but Eatonville's earlier dominance secured a comfortable 58-40 victory as they coasted to the finish.

Bailey Andersen emerged as the game's top scorer, delivering an outstanding performance with 25 points, including an impressive 18 points in the first half. Sara Smith would have a great night on the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds to go with her 10 points, securing her first double-double of the season.

ANDERSEN NETS 27

In the familiar setting of Rainier Connect Arena the next day, the Cruisers scored a notable 58-43 victory over Elma on Jan. 16.

The game started with a closely contested first quarter, as Elma held a narrow lead of 15-14. However, a stellar defensive performance by the Cruiser defense in the second quarter proved pivotal, limiting the Eagles to a mere 7 points. This defensive prowess allowed the Eatonville offense to flourish, with Bailey Andersen leading the charge with an impressive 12 points in the quarter. By halftime, the Cruisers had pulled ahead, establishing a 30-22 lead.

The defensive tenacity continued in the third quarter, as Eatonville once again held Elma to single-digit scoring, outscoring the Eagles 12-9. This extended the Cruisers' lead to a comfortable 11 points, with a score of 42-31 entering the final quarter.

A strong fourth-quarter performance by the Cruiser offense, outscoring Elma 16-12, sealed the victory with a final score of 58-43. Bailey Andersen continued her stellar performance, leading all scorers with an impressive 27 points.

BLOWOUT WIN

Eatonville would finish out their week with a dominating performance on Jan. 20, overpowering the Hoquiam Grizzlies with a resounding 60-16 win in Hoquiam.

From the onset, the Cruisers asserted their dominance, winning the tip-off and scoring the first basket to set the tone for the game. A remarkable 19-0 run and effective defense, forcing 14 Grizzly turnovers, quickly put the game out of reach for Hoquiam. By the end of the first quarter, the Cruisers held a commanding 20-2 lead.

Eatonville demonstrated their offensive prowess in the second quarter, initiating a 12-0 run and concluding with an 11-0 run. Hailey Hall's impressive 12-point scoring surge in the quarter played a crucial role in extending the Cruisers' lead to an impressive 34 points at halftime, with a score of 43-9.

In the third quarter, the Cruisers further widened the gap, triggering the mercy rule running clock with a 40-point lead. Outscoring the Grizzlies 10-3 in the quarter, Eatonville entered the final quarter with a commanding 53-12 lead.

Despite the running clock, the Cruisers maintained control, adding 7 more points while holding the Grizzlies to 4, securing a dominant 60-16 victory.

Bailey Andersen once again led Eatonville in scoring with 27 points, while Hailey Hall had a standout performance with a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds earning a double-double. Hall would also record 8 steals in the game for the Cruisers.

NEXT UP

With these impressive wins, the Lady Cruisers now boast a 12-5 overall record and a 3-1 standing in 1A Evergreen League play.

The Cruisers are gearing up for their upcoming league battles on the road. Their first test was against the Montesano Bulldogs on Tuesday (results pending at press time), seeking redemption from their only league loss a few weeks ago. Closing out the week, Eatonville faces a crucial matchup against the Tenino Beavers on Thursday, Jan. 25, with the game set to tip off at 7 p.m.