The Rainier Mountaineers put forth their best defensive effort of the young season in a 49-16 rout of Eatonville at home Tuesday night.
Rainier led 10-2 after the first quarter and 26-11 at halftime, and the lead continued to swell into the second half. After allowing a season-low two points in a quarter in the first, the Mountaineers topped themselves three quarters later by shutting out Eatonville in the fourth.
Freshman Lexi Beckman and sophomore Alexis Myers led the way with 10 points apiece, while senior Anika Plowman provided a lift with nine points in her season debut. Courtney Eckroth and Kaysen Bravo each added six points.
Despite the 33-point victory, first-year head coach Jordan Hunt wants to see his team quickly improve from what he called a “sloppy game” following a 15-day break.
“The girls know we have to play cleaner basketball, but we are excited to clean things up and that starts with our conditioning,” Hunt said. “It was nice to get Anika Plowman back for her first home game of her senior season. If we can keep her healthy, she can make a huge difference this season.”
Hunt was also impressed by what he saw from Myers, who surpassed double digits on the scoreboard for the first time this season.
“Lexi always brings consistent energy that we need to have as a team,” Hunt said.
Rainier (4-3) gets a big test in a non-league clash against Central 2B League foe Toutle Lake on the road Saturday night.
