January 29, 2025
ISSUE 5
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RECORD BREAKER
Bailey Andersen’s sets scoring record By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
The Eatonville Lady Cruisers basketball team powered through an intense three-game stretch last week, coming away with three decisive wins that underscored their dominance in the 2A SPSL League. Led by standout performances from Bailey Andersen, who recently set a school record and earned WIAA and The News Tribune Athlete of the Week honors, the Cruisers extended their league record to 9-0 and improved to 14-3 overall. A 24-year-old record fell at Rainier Connect Arena on Jan. 17 as Andersen etched her name in the history books, becoming the school’s alltime leading scorer in girls’ basketball. In front of a packed house brimming with energy, Andersen surpassed Liz Clark’s record of 1,262 points, which had stood for nearly a quarter century. The historic moment came early in the second quarter of Eatonville’s commanding 56-16 win over rival Orting, as Andersen
COURTESY HEATHER QUIRIE
The Eatonville Lady Cruiser basketball posed for a photo following their win over Orting and Bailey Andersen's recordbreaking performance. corralled a Cardinal turnover and finished a layup with 6:15 on the clock. “It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” Andersen said after the game. “I still don’t know if it’s fully set in yet.” The crowd erupted in a standing ovation as play stopped momentarily, after a Cardinal turnover, to celebrate the feat. Andersen’s teammates swarmed her with hugs, and even a few Orting players offered congratulations.
While Andersen’s achievement was the highlight of the night, it was a team effort that propelled the Cruisers to victory. Lillian Bickford delivered a standout performance with a doubledouble, tallying 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Hailey Hall dominated the boards as well, grabbing 10 rebounds and adding six points. Head Coach Deanna Andersen, who is also Bailey’s mother, credited the team’s
unity and defensive intensity for their success. “I am so proud of how the girls play as a team,” Coach Andersen said. “While Bailey had a good night, we still feed our other players, and we won the game with Lillian being the top scorer and both Lillian and Hailey having a great game.” The Cruisers set the tone early, opening the game with a 13-0 run punctuated by a Bailey Andersen threepointer that ignited the crowd.
Eatonville’s defense smothered Orting, forcing 31 turnovers in the game, including nine in the second quarter alone. By halftime, the Cruisers held a commanding 34-10 lead and never looked back, outscoring the Cardinals 22-6 in the second half. “We’ve taken our defense up a notch, and it’s paying off with lots of girls getting deflections and steals, allowing us to control the tempo of games,” Coach Andersen added.
Bailey Andersen, who finished the game with 16 points, six assists, four rebounds, and six steals, reflected on the significance of the night and the support she’s received throughout her career. “I am so incredibly grateful for the crowd and community that showed up on Friday,” she said. “It really showed the Eatonville Cruiser spirit. The energy was unmatched, and there’s no better feeling than that.” Andersen credited her success to the people who have supported her along the way, including her mother, her AAU coaches, and her family. “My mom has always been my #1 supporter — not only as a coach but as the parent who drove me to every practice and every game,” she said. “I also want to thank my dad, my friends, and especially my grandparents for always being there for me no matter what.” When asked if she had her sights set on Eatonville’s boy’s all-time scoring record, held by Jordon Osborn at 1,463 points, Andersen didn’t shy away. “I’ll definitely chase that record as well, but at the end
GIRLS, 4
Cruiser boys continue to struggle By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
COURTESY HEATHER QUIRE
Eatonville's Lowell McWright shoots and scores over Fife's Cruz Carrillo in a game earlier in the season. McWright would lead the Cruisers with 18 points against Clover Park.
The Eatonville Cruisers boys’ basketball team showcased grit and determination in two challenging matchups last week, as they continued to search for their first win since early January. Despite extending their losing streak to seven games, the Cruisers found bright spots to build on, with career performances from several players and moments of strong team play. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Eatonville hosted the Foss Falcons in a bid to avenge their 29-point loss from earlier in the season. The game began with a bang for the Cruisers, fueled by Amari Samuel’s offensive explosion. Samuel scored 11 points in the first quarter alone, propelling Eatonville to a 14-7 lead after an 11-0 run to close out the quarter. The Falcons responded with a 6-0 run early in the second, pulling within a point, but the Cruisers answered with a 9-2 stretch, bolstered by Landon Austin’s career-high seven points off the bench. However, foul trouble plagued Eatonville, putting Foss in the bonus, and the Falcons capitalized by sinking nine free throws during an 18-3 run to close
out the half. Foss led 33-28 at the break. Foss extended their lead further in the third quarter, opening with an 11-3 run. Eatonville’s Lowell McWright drained a pair of three-pointers to keep his team within striking distance, but the Cruisers still faced a 49-39 deficit entering the final quarter. The Falcons put the game out of reach with an 8-0 run to start the fourth. Nash Sherrard provided a spark off the bench with six points in the quarter, but Eatonville ultimately fell 71-58. McWright led the Cruisers with 15 points, while Samuel contributed 13. Career nights from Austin (seven points) and Sherrard (six points) highlighted the team’s effort, and Michael Stogsdill added eight rebounds, six points, and three blocked shots. Head Coach Josh Bennett praised his team’s fight despite the loss. “I am so proud of how our team battled all game,” Bennett said. “There was no ounce of quit. A few calls didn’t go our way in that second quarter, and that changed the momentum of the game, but our guys kept competing.”
BOYS, 4