Since taking office in January 2025, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s tenure has been marked by controversy. His public statements have drawn criticism, including characterizing being transgender as “a mental health issue” and asserting on social media, “I am the sheriff, and I can say whatever I want.” While Swank has defended these statements as exercises in free speech and pushback against what he calls narrative control, critics argue that an elected law enforcement official has responsibilities that extend beyond personal expression, particularly regarding the dignity and safety of marginalized communities. He has also been in court repeatedly with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.
Most recently, Swank’s January 15 testimony before the state Senate Law and Justice Committee sparked rebuke from his fellow sheriffs. He appeared to threaten lawmakers considering legislation that could affect his position. “When you try to remove me from office, thousands of Pierce County residents will surround the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma and will not allow that to happen,” Swank told committee members. “I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I and they are prepared. Are you prepared?” The statement prompted the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to consider his expulsion from the organization.
His conduct has resulted in three pending cases before the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission that could lead to decertification and has sparked renewed interest in the mechanics of removing an elected official.
The urgency of these questions has been amplified by recent events in Minnesota. Swank has publicly stated his desire to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits such cooperation.
Go Hawks!
Eatonville Shows Heart, Herbrand Delivers Career-High on Senior Night
Eatonville honored its boys' basketball seniors before the game: Manager Stacie Devera, players Jake Brannon, Landon Austin, Carter Taylor, and Colton Herbrand. These dedicated Cruisers were celebrated for their four years of hard work and commitment to the program.
by Skip Smith
The Eatonville Cruisers closed out a demanding week of 2A SPSL League play with a pair of losses, but not without extended stretches of
fight, response, and growth against two of the league’s toughest opponents.
On Monday, Feb. 2, Eatonville traveled to Franklin Pierce High School to face the Cardinals, who had already handed the Cruisers an 87-60 loss earlier in the season. Turnovers again proved costly as Franklin Pierce pulled away late for a 65-46 win.
Eatonville dug itself an early hole in the opening quarter, committing 13 first-quarter turnovers. Colton Herbrand opened the scoring with a steal and a lay-in, but Franklin Pierce followed with a 12-0 run to jump out to a 12-3 lead. The Cruisers settled in late, closing the quarter on a 7-2
run to pull within five. Herbrand scored six of Eatonville’s nine points in the quarter as the Cardinals led 14-9 after one. The Cruisers struck first in the second quarter when Nash Sherrard knocked down a jumper to make it 14-11. After a Cardinal layup and another Eatonville turnover that led to points, the deficit grew to seven. Eatonville responded with its best stretch of the half, working the ball around before Jake Brannon buried a three-pointer that sparked a 7-0 run and tied the game at 18-18 with 5:28 left before halftime.
The animals at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park cheer on the Seahawks. Pictured: Thistle the Porcupine munchin' down on some apple.
SHERRIF SWANK, 3
FIND IT FAST SERVICE DIRECTORY
JANE W.
Savvy Senior: Tools to Help You Find the Perfect Place to Retire
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What resources can you recommend for researching good places to retire in the U.S.? My husband and I are interested in relocating to a warmer climate when we retire next year.
—Looking to Relocate
Dear Looking,
It’s exciting to think about relocating in retirement! Whether you’re considering seasonal escapes or a permanent change, there are a wide variety of digital resources that can help you find and research new locations. Here are some tips and tools to help you get started.
WHERE TO RETIRE?
it for you!
Call today to reserve your space!
Contact: Christina Hill 206-461-1300 ext 305
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Deciding where to relocate when you retire is a big decision. There are many factors to think about to ensure the move supports your lifestyle, financial goals, and overall well-being. To help you identify some good retirement locations you need to consider things like cost of living, climate, taxes, health care, housing, crime, access to social and recreational activities, access to transportation and proximity to family and friends.
If you’re at the beginning of your search, a good starting point is BestPlaces.net. This site compiles demographic data from numerous reliable sources, updates it regularly and lets you easily compare cities using different criteria, such as housing cost, climate, crime, religious practice, voting patterns and education level. They even offer a 10-question “Where is the best place for me to live?” quiz, which may suggest some locations you may never have thought of.
There are also news and financial publications like U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, WalletHub, Bankrate and The Motley Fool that publish “best places to retire” ranking lists on their websites each year. These can give you an idea of popular retirement locations based on different sets of criteria.
Once you identify a few good spots, here are some additional resources that can help you dig a little deeper.
cost of living calculator at Bankrate.com/ real-estate/cost-of-living-calculator. And, because housing is a big expense, you can take a deeper dive into these costs at Zillow. com and Realtor.com.
Taxes: Some states are more tax friendly than others. To investigate how states treat retirees when it comes to income, sales, property and other taxes, see Kiplinger tax guide at Kiplinger.com – search “Taxes on Retirees: A State-by-State Guide.”
Crime rate: To evaluate how safe a community or area is, the FBI Crime Data Explorer (cde.ucr.cjis.gov) allows you to explore crime statistics at the national, state, and local levels.
Climate: You can find U.S. climate/ weather information at National Centers for Environmental Information at NCEI.noaa. gov. And to research climate change factors and the risks of extreme temperatures, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes and drought in different locations, use ClimateCheck.com and FEMA (Hazards.fema.gov/nri/map).
Health care: If you’re enrolled or planning to enroll in original Medicare, check the coverage and availability of providers in your new location. Search by ZIP code for health care providers and facilities at Medicare.gov/care-compare, and check star ratings for quality of care. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and you move out of the coverage area, you’ll need to find a new plan in your new area.
Transportation: If you plan to travel much, or expect frequent visits from your kids or grandkids, convenient access to an airport or train station is a big advantage.
Cost of living: Affordability is often the No. 1 factor when deciding where to relocate. To research and compare the cost of living from your current location to where you would like to move, use the previously mentioned BestPlaces.net, the Economic Policy Institute Family Budget Calculator at EPI.org/resources/budget and/or Bankrate’s
Once you have narrowed down your choices, spend a couple weeks in each location at different times of the year so you can get a feel for the seasonal weather changes, and so you can carefully weigh the pros and cons of living there. You may find that you like the area more as a vacation spot than as a year-round residence. It’s also a good idea to rent for a year before buying a home or making a commitment to a retirement community.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK
Eatonville High School Award of Distinction
We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Eatonville High School Award of Distinction! This prestigious award recognizes EHS alumni who exemplify integrity, compassion, and excellence and who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities or society.
Award recipients will be honored during our Welcome Back event in August 2026, where their achievements will be celebrated, and their stories will inspire our students and staff as we begin the new school year.
ELIGIBILITY AND NOMINATION DETAILS:
• Nominees must have graduated from Eatonville High School at least 10 years ago.
• They should demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:
SHERRIF SWANK, FROM 1
In March 2025, his assistant reached out to ICE’s Seattle Field Office to set up a “meet and greet” to discuss “immigration enforcement and removal.”
While Swank has said he has not yet entered into agreements with ICE due to legal constraints, his stated intentions raise concerns about potential future actions.
“Beyond potential decertification, Pierce County residents have another option: recall.”
Swank made the threatening remarks while testifying on Senate Bill 5974, which would require all sheriffs and police chiefs to meet basic qualifications, including U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma, at least five years of law enforcement employment, no felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, and maintenance of state certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Critically, the bill states that failure to maintain required certification creates a vacancy in the office of an elected sheriff. This provision could directly impact Swank, who currently has three open cases with the commission that could result in revocation of his law enforcement certification. The commission faces a significant backlog, and no timeline exists for resolution of these cases. If Swank’s certification were revoked and the legislation became law, he could be automatically removed from office without voter action.
Beyond potential decertification, Pierce County residents have another option: recall. Washington state law allows any registered voter to initiate a recall petition
• Academics
• Professional accomplishments
• Humanitarian efforts
• Philanthropy
• Personal contributions to society
• Leadership
Printed applications will be available in all school offices and at the district office. Additionally, the application can be downloaded from the school district website. Also attached to this email. Completed nomination forms are due by May 31, 2026. We encourage you to spread the word and help us identify and celebrate graduates who have made a lasting impact. If you know of someone deserving of this honor, please take the time to submit a nomination.
Thank you for your support in recognizing the remarkable achievements of Eatonville High School alumni!
against an elected official, but the process involves substantial hurdles. First, a petitioner files charging documents with the Pierce County auditor, who serves them on the prosecuting attorney. The prosecutor then prepares a ballot synopsis and submits it to Superior Court for a legal sufficiency hearing. Only after judicial approval can signature gathering begin.
The signature requirement presents the largest obstacle. Recall organizers must collect valid signatures from 25 percent of voters who cast ballots in the election year in which the official was elected. For Swank, that means 110,862 valid signatures, one quarter of the 443,447 ballots cast in the 2024 general election. Organizers have a maximum of 180 days to collect and submit signatures for verification. The last attempt to recall a countywide elected official occurred in 2010, when Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam faced a recall effort that ultimately failed to gather enough signatures.
Separately, the Pierce County Charter Review Commission has identified the Sheriff’s Office as a target for potential structural reforms. The commission, composed of 21 elected citizens recently sworn in, evaluates the county charter and can propose amendments for the November 2026 ballot. One reform under consideration would convert the sheriff from an elected to an appointed position, similar to how most police chiefs serve. Such a change would give future county executives authority to hire and remove the county’s top law enforcement officer, potentially increasing accountability while reducing the political independence that comes with being directly elected. Any charter amendments would require voter approval and would not affect Swank’s current term.
Kids Get in Free to Northwest Trek Every Weekend in February
Kids ‘n’ Critters returns to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park each weekend in February, plus Presidents’ Day. During Kids ‘n’ Critters, up to two children ages 12 and younger are admitted for free with each paying adult to the wildlife park. Northwest Trek will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each discount day. “We are excited to bring back Kids ‘n’ Critters this year for our community,” said Rick Dietz, Northwest Trek’s Deputy Director. “We hope families leave feeling inspired by our awesome animals to help protect wild species.” Guests can see native Northwest animals up close, like bald eagles, rescued cougars, and grizzly bears, just to name a few. February weather? No problem. The animals at Northwest Trek are literally built for the lower temperatures here in
the Pacific Northwest. Animals like gray wolves, mountain goats, and bears have their “winter coats” to stay nice and warm. Don’t forget to bring yours, too! Children from tots to tweens will enjoy expending a bit of energy at Kids’ Trek, the half-acre, nature inspired play area. Here, parents can unwind while children play in tot-sized log cabins, scramble up and down ladder nets, balance on an “eagles’ nest” constructed of taut strands of rope, create forts from logs, and participate in other activities. The playground may be closed if it’s icy. Please note: the discount is available only on tickets purchased at our ticket window. It does not apply to Wild Drives or Keeper Adventure Tours. Dates: Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 6-8, 13-16, 20-22, 27-March 1.
INVITATION FOR BIDS
TOWN
OF EATONVILLE
Eatonville Hwy W Overlay
Sealed Bids will be received by the Town of Eatonville until 2:00 pm (as determined by the clock in the Clerk’s office) on February 25, 2026. Bids may be delivered to Town Hall, 201 Center Street West, Eatonville, Washington 98328 or mailed to the mailing address of P.O. Box 309, Eatonville, Washington 98328. Bids mailed to the address set forth for delivery of Bids will not be delivered by the postal service. Any Bids received after the specified time and date will not be considered.
The Bids will be publicly opened and read at 2:10 pm on February 25, 2026 at the Visitor’s Center, 130 Mashel Avenue N, Eatonville Washington 98328.
The work to be performed within 25 working days following the Notice to Proceed Date is described below: The project provides pavement repairs, grinding, and asphalt overlay of the roadway from Emeral Ridge Dr. to Cedar Ave N along Eatonville Highway W.
Free-of-charge access to project bid documents (plans, specifications, addenda, and Bidders List) is provided to Prime Bidders, Subcontractors, and Vendors by going to www.bxwa.com and clicking on “Posted Projects”, “Public Works”, and “Town of Eatonville”. This online plan room provides Bidders with fully usable online documents with the ability to: download, view, print, order full/partial plan sets from numerous reprographic sources, and a free online digitizer/take-off tool. It is recommended that Bidders “Register” in order to receive automatic e-mail notification of future addenda and to place themselves on the “SelfRegistered Bidders List”. Bidders that do not register will not be automatically notified of addenda and will need to periodically check the on-line plan room for addenda issued on this project. Contact Builders Exchange of Washington at (425) 258-1303 should you require assistance with access or registration. All bid proposals must be on the form provided and must be accompanied by Bid security in the form of certified check, cashiers check or Bid Bond in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the Bid proposal. Should the successful Bidder fail to enter into the Agreement and furnish satisfactory performance and payment bonds within the time stated in the Contract Documents, the Bid Security shall be forfeited to the Town of Eatonville.
The Bidder shall guarantee the total Bid price for a period of 60 calendar days from the date of Bid opening. All communications relating to the Project shall be directed to the following PROJECT REPRESENTATIVE prior to the opening of the Bids:
Terry Wright, Project Manager, 2502 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402, terry.wright@psomas.com
The Town of Eatonville hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contracts entered pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex or national origin in consideration for an award.
The Town of Eatonville reserves the right to reject any or all Bids and to waive informalities in the bidding process. The Agreement will be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder as it may best serve the interest of the Town of Eatonville.
Courtesy of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
VASILIY-ADOBE STOCK
CROSSWORD
Rogers, Baublits Win League Titles as Eatonville Qualifies 11 for Mat Classic
by Skip Smith
The Eatonville Cruisers boys and girls wrestling programs closed out the postseason qualifying phase in emphatic fashion Saturday, Feb. 7, at the 2A SPSL District 3 Championships, sending a combined 11 wrestlers to the WIAA Mat Classic state tournament while also securing three additional state alternates. The boys competed at Orting High School, while the girls tournament took place at Clover Park High School, giving Eatonville athletes two venues to showcase their depth and resilience across the league.
By the end of the day, Eatonville had qualified five boys and six girls for state, a reflection of a program that has continued to build momentum throughout the season. The Cruisers were led by league champions Ethan Rogers and Najalia “Nala” Baublits, both of whom captured league titles with composed and physical performances in their respective brackets.
Rogers delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament at Orting High School, claiming the 215-pound league championship. After receiving a firstround bye, Rogers wasted little time in the quarterfinals, pinning teammate Mason Kinley in 1:03. He followed with another dominant showing in the semifinals, earning a fall over Michael Lefeau of Washington in 2:12. In the championship match, Rogers faced Jaxon Satiacum of Orting. Rogers scored early and maintained his pace throughout, earning a 7-2 decision to secure the league title. The victory capped a near-flawless tournament run and reinforced Rogers’ position as one of the top contenders in the 2A classification heading into state.
Eatonville also celebrated a third-place finish from Jarin Ragazzo, who navigated a demanding bracket with consistency and toughness. Ragazzo opened his tournament with a bye before edging Wyatt Rodarte of Orting by decision in the quarterfinals. After a semifinal loss, Ragazzo regrouped in the consolation rounds, pinning Zion Jackson of Foss in 2:09. He closed his tournament with another fall over Rodarte in the third-place match, earning a spot on the podium and a return trip to the state tournament.
Three Eatonville wrestlers placed fourth and qualified for state after grinding through the consolation rounds. Teagan Croppi put together a strong tournament at 120 pounds, highlighted by a sudden victory win over Brendon Frazier of Fife in the quarterfinals. After a semifinal loss, Croppi bounced back with a pin over Max Hughes of Steilacoom before finishing fourth.
Stephen Patton also placed fourth after recording two pins during the tournament. Patton opened with a fall over Patrick Goltry of Steilacoom, then responded to a semifinal loss with a pin over Jason Gomez of Steilacoom in the consolation semifinals.
Aiden Hughey added another fourth-place finish for the Cruisers, opening his tournament with backto-back pins before fighting through the consolation bracket to secure his state berth.
Eatonville will also send three boys to state as alternates following fifth-place finishes. Cjay Russell placed fifth at 106 pounds after closing his tournament with two straight wins, including a 12-6 decision in the fifth-place match. Guilherme Vilaverde Araujo earned a fifth-place finish at 157, recovering from an early loss to win two consolation matches. Haven Rovang rounded out the alternates at 165, collecting four falls over the course of the tournament and finishing with a pin in the fifthplace match.
At Clover Park High School, the Eatonville girls matched the boys with six state qualifiers and multiple podium finishes, led by Baublits’ championship run at 100 pounds. After receiving a bye
into the semifinals, Baublits pinned Kaede Kuklok of Steilacoom in 5:17 to advance to the title bout. In the championship match, Baublits closed out her tournament by pinning Shan-Lee Salazar of Orting in 1:47, capturing the league title and punching her ticket to the Mat Classic.
Khloee Young delivered another highlight performance for Eatonville, placing second at 110 pounds. Young needed just seconds to win her quarterfinal match by fall before pinning Harlow Russell of Orting in the semifinals. She finished as the runner-up after falling in the championship match, securing her place at state.
Makenzie Ball added another second-place finish at 170 pounds. After a semifinal pin over Hayden Carrell of Orting, Ball advanced to the championship match, where she finished runner-up to earn her state berth. Abigail Lay earned a third-place finish at 115 pounds after responding to a semifinal loss with two straight wins by fall. Lay pinned Meadow Peebles of Clover Park in the consolation semifinals and followed with another fall in the third-place match to claim her spot on the podium.
Olivia Cole and Autumn Cole each placed fourth in their respective brackets at 100 and 110 pounds. Both wrestlers battled through the consolation rounds, picking up key pins to secure their state qualifications and round out Eatonville’s six-girl contingent heading to Tacoma.
The WIAA’s culminating wrestling event, the Mat Classic XXXVII, will be held Feb. 20 through Feb. 21 at the Tacoma Dome. Tickets will be available digitally through GoFan, the WIAA’s ticketing partner. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance, though digital tickets may also be purchased onsite using mobile devices.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS GIVEN in accordance with EMC-18.09.050, on January 5, 2026 the town of Eatonville’s Planning Commission has recommended an amendment to the Town of Eatonville’s Comprehensive Plan changing the land use designation of parcel 0416231054 from Mixed Use to Public Use. This amendment was triggered by the rezone of the following parcels: 0416231054 and 041623101 from Mixed Use to SF1. A public hearing will be held on Monday February 23rd 2026, at 7:00pm at the Community Center, 305 Center St W, Eatonville, WA 98328. Written comments on the application must be received via mail, P.O. Box 309, Eatonville, WA 98328 or submitted to the Town Planner, 201 Center St W, no later than 5:00 p.m., February 23rd, 2026. Any questions regarding the proposal may be directed to: Nick Moore, 201 Center Street W, PO Box 309, Eatonville, WA 98328, (360) 832-3361. Any person may comment on the project and/or receive a copy of the final decision.
Nick Moore Town Planner
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS GIVEN in accordance with EMC-18.09.050, on January 5, 2026, the town of Eatonville’s Planning Commission has recommend a rezone of the following parcels: 0416231054 and 0416231011 from Mixed Use to SF1. This rezone will be accompanied with a Comprehensive Plan Amendment changing parcel 0416231054 from Mixed Use to Public Use. A public hearing will be held on Monday February 23rd 2026, at 7:00pm at the Community Center, 305 Center St W, Eatonville, WA 98328. Written comments on the application must be received via mail, P.O. Box 309, Eatonville, WA 98328 or submitted to the Town Planner, 201 Center St W, no later than 5:00 p.m., February 23rd, 2026. Any questions regarding the proposal may be directed to: Nick Moore, 201 Center Street W, PO Box 309, Eatonville, WA 98328, (360) 8323361. Any person may comment on the project and/or receive a copy of the final decision.
Nick Moore Town Planner
Eatonville High School's state qualifying wrestlers posed for photos following their league championship tournament. From left to right. Girls: Autumn Cole, Khloee Young, Makenzie Ball, Nala Baublits, Abigail Lay, and Olivia Cole. Boys: Teagan Croppi, Jarrin Ragazzo, Ethan Rogers, and Aiden Hughey Not pictured: Stephen Patton.
Lady Cruisers Battle Through Tough Week Against SPSL Opponents,
by Skip Smith
The Eatonville Lady Cruisers endured a challenging week in 2A SPSL League play, dropping a hard fought road game to Franklin Pierce before showing signs of growth and resilience in a loss to league leading Fife.
Eatonville came up short in its second meeting with Franklin Pierce, falling 47-36 on the road after another tight battle between the league opponents. The Cardinals had edged the Cruisers 41-39 earlier in the season, and once again the fourth quarter proved decisive.
The game was scoreless until the 5:14 mark of the opening quarter when Jordyn Green banked in a shot off the right side of the glass to get Eatonville on the board. Franklin Pierce answered with a 5-0 run, but back to back baskets by Dakota Montgomery and Savanna Price put the Cruisers back in front, 6-5, with 2:11 remaining. The teams traded buckets the rest of the way and finished the quarter tied 9-9, with Green scoring three points for Eatonville.
The Cardinals opened the second quarter with a 5-0 surge to take a 14-9 lead. Montgomery and Josie Lavergne answered with a free throw and a runner to cut the margin to two. Montgomery later came up with a steal and basket to tie the game at 14-14 midway through the quarter. Franklin Pierce briefly reclaimed the lead before Eatonville closed the half on a 4-0 run behind baskets from Montgomery and Morgan Laird, sending the Cruisers into the locker room up 18-16. Montgomery led Eatonville with five first half points.
Lavergne Records Double-Double
Franklin Pierce opened the third quarter with a 9-2 run to go in front 25-20. Eatonville responded late, closing the period on a 6-2 run highlighted by a Jordyn Green half-court shot at the buzzer that banked in to pull the Cruisers within one, 27-26. Green scored five points in the quarter.
Eatonville briefly reclaimed the lead early in the fourth after forcing a turnover and getting a Josie Lavergne basket off a Sadie Mettler assist. The Cardinals countered with a 4-0 run, but Lavergne’s rebound and put back sparked a 6-0 Eatonville run that gave the Cruisers a 34-31 lead with four minutes remaining.
That advantage was short lived. Franklin Pierce dominated the final stretch, using a 12-6 rebounding edge in the quarter and forcing nine Eatonville turnovers to fuel a 16-2 closing run and seal the win.
Lavergne led Eatonville in scoring and finished with a doubledouble, scoring 12 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and adding two blocked shots. Green contributed
“The Lady Cruisers faced a daunting task Friday night against first place Fife”
10 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Montgomery provided a spark off the bench with six points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
The Lady Cruisers faced a daunting task Friday night against first place Fife, which entered the game undefeated in 2A SPSL play and had beaten Eatonville 60-16
HERBRAND DELIVERS, FROM 1
Franklin Pierce closed strong, however, outscoring Eatonville 12-4 the rest of the way to take a 30-22 lead into the break. Brannon led Eatonville with five points in the half, while Sherrard added four points and five rebounds.
Eatonville again opened the scoring in the third quarter, this time on a Sam Twedt drive that cut the lead to six. The Cardinals answered with a pair of baskets to push the margin into double digits before Twedt drilled a three-pointer to make it 34-27 with 6:50 remaining. Franklin Pierce responded decisively, rolling off a 15-0 run to build a 49-27 lead and effectively put the game out of reach. A Jeremy Osborn Jr. jumper stopped the run with 3:10 left in the quarter, but the damage was done. Eatonville trailed 54-33 entering the fourth.
The Cruisers matched Franklin Pierce over the final eight minutes and outscored the Cardinals 13-11 in the quarter, but could not overcome the third-quarter surge, falling 65-46.
Twedt led Eatonville with 10 points. Brannon finished with eight points, including two three-pointers, and added a couple of blocked shots. Sam Kralik provided a strong spark off the bench with seven points, 10 rebounds, and a pair of steals. Herbrand added six points and three steals. Lane Hinderman scored five points off the bench. Osborn Jr. and Sherrard each finished with four points, with Sherrard also pulling down six rebounds. Adam Ames chipped in two points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Ryder Herbrand grabbed eight rebounds despite being held scoreless.
“The team gave great effort and battled till the very end in this game,” head coach Josh
earlier in the season.
Eatonville struggled early against the Trojan press, opening the game with three straight turnovers that helped Fife race out to a 15-0 lead. Morgan Laird broke the run with a pair of free throws at the 4:30 mark, sparking a brief 4-0 Cruiser run. Eatonville trailed 15-4 with 3:07 left in the quarter before Fife closed the period on a 15-2 run to lead 30-6. Eatonville committed 14 first quarter turnovers but went a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line.
The Cruisers opened the second quarter with renewed energy. A Josie Lavergne basket followed by a Morgan Laird three pointer capped a 5-0 run before Fife stopped the surge with a free throw
Bennett said. “Franklin Pierce is a tough team, but we responded to a lot of their runs they went on with our own runs.”
Bennett also praised his team’s physical play inside.
“It didn't necessarily show on the stat sheet but we battled inside with them all night,” he said. “We were very physical and made it tough on them at times. Coaching staff was very proud of the fight we put up.”
Eatonville returned home Friday, Feb. 6, to host first-place Fife at Rainier Connect Arena on Senior Night, honoring four players and a manager before tipoff. Seniors Landon Austin, Carter Taylor, Jake Brannon, Colton Herbrand, and manager Stacie Devera were recognized for their dedication to the program over the past four years.
The Trojans, who pulled away late in a 63-44 win in the season’s first meeting, again took advantage of turnovers, forcing Eatonville into 30 giveaways. Still, the Cruisers stayed within striking distance throughout much of the night before falling 66-53.
The teams traded baskets early, with Eatonville using a late 5-0 run to take an 1110 lead after one quarter. Herbrand led the Cruisers with four points.
Fife opened the second quarter with a 9-3 spurt to grab a 19-14 lead. Eatonville answered with a 4-0 run to pull within one midway through the period. The Trojans pushed the lead to six before Sam Kralik knocked down a three-pointer to make it 24-21. After a Trojan basket and free throw, Kralik struck again from deep to close the quarter, keeping the Fife lead to three at halftime. Kralik scored eight points in the quarter.
The Cruisers scored first in the third, but the teams traded baskets until Fife closed
at the 5:38 mark. Despite nine turnovers in the quarter, Eatonville doubled its first quarter scoring output, putting up 12 points. Laird led the way with six points on two three pointers. Eatonville also tightened up defensively, holding Fife to 15 points after allowing 30 in the first. Still, the Trojans took a 45-18 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was Eatonville’s best defensive stretch. The teams traded baskets throughout, and a Savanna Price free throw late allowed the Cruisers to edge Fife 10-9 in the period. Fife still held a commanding 5428 lead heading into the fourth. Lavergne scored four points in the quarter as Eatonville forced five Trojan turnovers, more than in the
the period on an 11-1 run to stretch the lead to 50-39. Herbrand scored eight points in the quarter to pace Eatonville.
Eatonville opened the fourth with a 5-0 surge to cut the deficit to six, but Fife responded with a 7-1 run to restore a 12-point cushion. The Cruisers made one final push with a 6-2 run, pulling within eight, before the Trojans closed the game with a 7-2 run.
Herbrand made his Senior Night one to remember, scoring a season-high and career-high 19 points to lead all scorers. He added three steals and two rebounds. Kralik finished with a season-high and career-high 13 points and four rebounds.
Bennett took time after the game to reflect on his departing seniors.
On Austin, he said, “Easily without a doubt - the most coachable kid I have ever coached. He is a true cruiser through and through. He is wise beyond his years, and an excellent teammate. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
Of Taylor, Bennett said, “A kid who gives it his all every time he steps on the court. He has a motor like no other. He has made countless momentum changing plays over his career that has been huge for our teams. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
On Brannon, he added, “His athleticism and character make him special. We are better off when Jake is healthy and on the court. I am very proud of how he stepped up this year not only with shooting but with his aggressiveness on the defensive side of the ball. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
And on Herbrand, Bennett said, “Another high character kid who plays the game with
first two quarters combined. Fife opened the fourth with a 3-0 run, but Laird answered with a basket that sparked a 9-2 Eatonville run. The teams matched each other the rest of the way. A Dakota Montgomery steal and layup with 1:13 remaining capped the Cruiser scoring. Eatonville again limited Fife to nine points in the quarter while scoring 12 of its own, led by Lavergne and Green with three points apiece. The Cruisers also protected the ball better, committing just six turnovers in the period.
Despite losing the game and the turnover battle 46-15, Eatonville finished with a slight 40-36 rebounding advantage.
Lavergne led the Cruisers with 11 points, seven of them coming in the second half, and added four rebounds. Laird finished with 10 points, including two three pointers, and five rebounds. Delaney Livernash chipped in eight points and four rebounds. Green recorded six points, three steals, and a team high 10 rebounds.
The loss leaves Eatonville at 4-15 overall and 3-10 in 2A SPSL league play, with only a slim chance of advancing to the District 3 playoffs. The district tournament takes the top five teams from both the SPSL and Olympic leagues, with the final two spots awarded as at large selections by the seeding committee.
The Lady Cruisers could close out their season at home Monday, Feb. 9, when they host the third place Clover Park Warriors at Rainier Connect Arena for Senior Night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and a win would boost Eatonville’s chances of earning one of the final district playoff berths.
a fierce passion, and he is the ultimate competitor. You never have to question his effort. Colton will literally run through a wall if that's what it takes to make a play. He is a momentum changing player and has had so many special moments throughout his career in our program. I can't thank him enough for all he has contributed to our program.”
Despite the loss, Bennett was proud of the effort against the league leaders.
“I could not be more proud of our guys,” he said. “They gave the team at the top of our league a tough look all night. We battled and responded the whole game. It wasn't the result we ultimately wanted but the competitiveness and effort they gave kept us in the game till the final buzzer.”
He added, “It is such a blessing and I am truly grateful to be the coach of this group. This team has grown so much this year. The team chemistry is really coming together and it is a fun brand of basketball. Our team is excited to go give it another shot on Monday against CP and see what happens.”
The loss dropped Eatonville to 4-15 overall and 3-10 in 2A SPSL league play, leaving the Cruisers with a very slim chance of advancing to the District 3 playoffs. The district field includes the top five teams from both the SPSL and Olympic leagues, with two additional at-large selections chosen by the seeding committee.
Eatonville will close out the regular season Monday, Feb. 9, on the road at Clover Park. The Cruisers will host the second-place Warriors at 7 p.m., with a win potentially boosting their chances of earning one of the final at-large district playoff spots.
Eatonville's Josie LaVergne soars high to secure a crucial rebound against Franklin Pierce defenders in a game earlier in the season. Despite the Cruisers' loss, LaVergne delivered a strong double-double performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds, battling fiercely in the paint.
