December 31, 2025
ISSUE 53
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Mossyrock Three-point Barrage Sinks Lady Cruisers By Skip Smith
TRINITY POTTER
Eatonville's Mackenzie Ball stands atop the podium after clinching the 170lb championship at the 9th Annual Stocking Stuffer tournament at Hoquiam HS.
Makenzie Ball Pins Her Way to Stocking Stuffer Championship By Skip Smith
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he Eatonville Cruiser girls wrestling team finished eighth out of 16 teams at the 9th annual Grizzly Stocking Stuffer tournament on Dec. 22 at Hoquiam High School, highlighted by a championship run from Makenzie Ball and several other top-four finishes. Ball won the 170-pound title to lead Eatonville, going 3-0 on the day with all three victories coming by fall. She pinned Aberdeen’s Sophia Rico in 52 seconds in the quarterfinals, beat North Mason’s Claire Miccio in the semifinals and closed out the title match with a fall over North Beach’s Brooke Scramlin in 3:05. Ball scored 24 team points in the process and earned her first career high school tournament title. “The girl’s team did some great work at the Hoquiam Stocking Stuffer,” Eatonville coach Trinity Potter said. “Many of the girls showing their progress and several of them placing. Olivia Cole and Emory Simpson both took 4th, and Makenzie Ball taking 1st, for her first ever 1st place win in high school.” At 100 pounds, Olivia Cole placed fourth. After receiving byes into the semifinals, Cole was pinned by Hoquiam’s Yazmin Balagot. She later dropped the third-place match by injury default against Tenino’s Kaylee Olson. Cole finished the day with four team points.
Emory Simpson also earned a fourth-place finish at 110 pounds and contributed 11 team points. After a quarterfinal loss, Simpson rebounded in the consolation bracket with back-to-back falls over Aberdeen’s Stella Cortez and Ilwaco’s Faith Caward before falling in the third-place match to Ilwaco’s Aila Soule. Khloee Young put together a solid run at 115 pounds, scoring six team points. She opened with a fall over Montesano’s Haiden Denegar before losses in the semifinals and consolation round ended her tournament short of a placing. Autumn Cole also competed at 115 pounds but was eliminated after two matches. At 120 pounds, Abigail Lay had one of Eatonville’s stronger overall performances despite not placing. Lay recorded two first-round falls, including a 37-second pin of Rainier’s Aden Cross, and scored eight team points. Sophia Stratton also picked up a win at 120 pounds with a fall over Rainier’s Brooke Holum. Hailey Morris wrestled at 110 pounds but was eliminated after two losses. Harleigh Hemphill competed at 125 pounds and did not score team points. Potter said the results reflected steady growth across the lineup. “All the coaches are so proud of the progress these girls are putting out and are excited for a great season,” she said.
HEATHER QUIRIE
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urnovers and perimeter shooting proved to be too much for the Eatonville Cruiser girls’ basketball team to overcome Saturday night as the Cruisers dropped a 59-16 non-league decision to the Mossyrock Vikings at Mossyrock High School. Eatonville was shorthanded, missing three players from its normal rotation and pulling up two freshmen to help fill minutes. Head coach Chelsea Caramandi said the circumstances were not an excuse, but acknowledged the night did not reflect the program’s expectations. “Tonight wasn’t who we are,” Caramandi said. “It was a mental game, and we didn’t respond the way we’re capable of.” Eatonville struggled to find any rhythm offensively and finished with 30 turnovers, compared to 13 for Mossyrock. The Vikings made the most of those extra possessions and showcased their shooting depth, draining nine three-pointers on the night. Those shots from beyond the arc accounted for 27 of Mossyrock’s 59 points and helped the Vikings steadily pull away. The Cruisers got off to a promising start. Morgan Laird opened the scoring by knocking down a pair of free throws to give Eatonville a 2-0 lead. That would be the lone lead of the night for the visitors. Mossyrock answered with an 8-0 run fueled largely by Eatonville miscues, as the Cruisers turned the ball over 11 times in the opening quarter. Savanna Price scored Eatonville’s other basket of the period, but Mossyrock had built a 16-4 lead by the end of one. Eatonville again struck first in the
Eatonville's Morgan Laird shoots over a Mossyrock player to score two of her team-high 6 points on the night in the Cruiser's loss to the Vikings. second quarter when Josie Lavergne scored early. The Vikings responded quickly, rattling off a pair of threepointers to stretch the lead. Avery Crowder briefly halted that momentum with a free throw, but Mossyrock then put together a decisive 16-0 run that essentially put the game out of reach. Sadie Mettler added a free throw late in the quarter, but Eatonville headed into the locker room trailing 40-8. Mossyrock continued to apply pressure after halftime, outscoring Eatonville 17-6 in the third quarter. Mettler, Laird and Jordyn Green each scored two points in the period as the Cruisers worked to generate offense against the Vikings’ defense. Still, Mossyrock’s lead grew to 57-14 heading into the final quarter. Offense was limited on both sides in the final frame, with each team scoring just two points. Laird scored Eatonville’s lone basket of the
quarter, and Mossyrock closed out the game to secure the 59-16 victory. Laird led Eatonville with six points and added a rebound while going 2 for 2 from the free throw line. Mettler finished with three points, five rebounds and a steal. Green had two points, five rebounds and two steals. Lavergne contributed two points and four rebounds, Price scored two points, and Crowder chipped in one point and four rebounds. Despite the lopsided score, Caramandi said the focus will remain on growth and accountability as the Cruisers move forward. “We know our standard and we will get back to it,” she said. The Lady Cruisers will look to regroup quickly as they close out 2025. Eatonville will finish 2025 with a road game Tuesday, Dec. 30, against the Rainier Mountaineers, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
January Recognized as Board Appreciation Month in Eatonville School District
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anuary is Board Appreciation Month, and the Eatonville School District is taking time to recognize and thank its Board of Directors for their continued service and dedication to students, staff, families, and the greater Eatonville community. School board members play a critical role in public education, setting district vision, adopting policies, and making decisions that guide student learning and long term success. Their work often takes place
behind the scenes and requires many hours of study, discussion, and collaboration to ensure the needs of all students are met. The Eatonville School District is proud to recognize the following board members for their leadership and commitment: Mrs. Ronda Litzenberger Mrs. Paulette Gilliardi Mrs. Karen Carr Mr. Travis Rush Ms. Caitie Henselman Together, these directors work tirelessly to support high quality educational opportunities and to ensure that Eatonville schools continue to serve students
well, both now and into the future. The district extends sincere appreciation to its Board of Directors for their
service, dedication, and steadfast commitment to all students during Board Appreciation Month and throughout the year.