Feb. 21, 2024
ISSUE 8
75¢
IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
Hunting for a job? In the market for a new home? Have something to sell? Turn to the Classifieds in The Dispatch and at dispatchnews.com
Library seeking feedback on strategic plan By Pierce County Library System
Courtesy Andrea Stammen Eatonville senior Ryan Stammen brings the ball up in the Cruisers' district playoff game against King's Way Christian on Thursday night. Stammen's defense and rebounding helped Eatonville seal a 50-32 victory. Her eight rebounds were also a game-high.
Lady Cruisers secure spot in consolation championship By Skip Smith
Contributing Writer
In a thrilling do-ordie showdown, the Eatonville Cruiser girls’ basketball team delivered a commanding performance, securing a 50-32 victory over the King’s Way Christian Knight’s. The win propels them into the consolation championship game and a shot at a state berth. Right from the opening tip-off, the Cruisers asserted their dominance, establishing an early lead they would never relinquish.
Their relentless defense held the Knight’s scoreless in a staggering first-quarter shutout, as Eatonville embarked on a blistering 14-0 run that bled into the second quarter, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. King’s Way struggled to find their offensive rhythm, notching their first bucket a mere two minutes into the second frame. The Eatonville defensive proved instrumental, as stalwarts like Lillian Bickford, Sara Smith, and Sadie Mettler effectively contained the Knight’s offensive
inside threats, forcing them into a barrage of perimeter shots. Head Coach Deanna Andersen lauded her team's defense, emphasizing their ability to stifle King’s Way's inside game and force them to settle for shots from beyond the arc. Indeed, six of the Knight’s 12 field goals came from three-point range, a testament to Eatonville's suffocating defense. Despite a late surge from King’s Way in the fourth quarter, Eatonville maintained their composure, ultimately sealing the victory with a
commendable shooting performance. Shooting an impressive 59% from the field, the Cruisers converted 20 of their 34 attempts, while also capitalizing on 60% of their free throw opportunities. Bailey Andersen spearheaded Eatonville's offensive charge with a stellar performance, tallying 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Smith contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds. Hailey Hall added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and a blocked shot while Ryan Stammen had a game-high 8 rebounds to bolster the Cruisers' formidable attack. Remarkably, ten of the team's eleven players made their mark on the stat sheet, underscoring their collective effort and depth. SPORTS Page 8Æ
The Pierce County Library System is seeking input from residents in the library’s service area to help the Library System develop a new strategic plan. The Library System needs to understand what is happening in individuals’ lives and their families’ lives, as well as what’s happening in communities throughout unincorporated Pierce County and the 15 cities and towns annexed to the Library System for service to understand how library services should be prioritized to meet their needs. “Strategic plans are important to set priorities and be transparent about the Library’s future goals especially now in a post-pandemic environment,” said Pierce County Library Executive Director Gretchen Caserotti. “Understanding what matters to people, their families and their communities, will help us develop that strategic plan and align our services with what matters most to individuals and communities.” Now through March 31, the library will engage with the Library’s Board of Trustees, staff, community stakeholders and people living in the library’s service area to learn what is happening in their lives and what’s important to them and their communities. The Library System would like people to complete a brief survey at mypcls. org/new-strategic-plan or in any Pierce County Library now through March 31 and share their interests and opinions. The Library System needs to learn what matters to residents and their families and neighbors, such as: What do they enjoy? What complicates their lives? What’s important to them? How can the Library System be part of their life and their neighbors’ lives? With that input, the Library System can match its services to what matters in people’s lives. With input from the Board of Trustees, staff, community stakeholders and Pierce County residents, Library administrators will work with Coraggio Group, the Library’s strategic planning firm, to develop a strategic plan. “We want to hear from as many voices as we can; from both people who currently use Pierce County Libraries and those who have never been to a library,” said Caserotti. “The more voices we hear from, the more confident we can be that our new strategic plan will help serve everyone in Pierce County.” The strategic plan will guide how the Library’s services will meet individual and community needs. The plan will be a roadmap to guide the Library System through the years ahead, from 2025-2029.