All good things really do come to those who wait.

After healing up with a bye Feb. 3, White River’s rested and ready boys basketball squad traveled to Bonney Lake Thursday to challenge the winless Panthers and wound up experiencing their fifth overtime situation of a year.

Finally, the maroon and gold came out on the winning end of a bonus action encounter, blowing out the Panther cagers in the extra session to win by the final tally of 63-54.

The overtime win furnished WRHS’ third league victory of the season to lift the Hornets’ South Puget Sound League 3A mark to 3-11. White River mentor Bill Hawk said it was nice for his hard-working players to at last reap the rewards.

“These guys play with the same level of intensity all the time and have a great work ethic in practice,” Hawk said. “We’ve come so close in so many games this year, so it was excellent to have them sample the sweet taste of victory in an overtime game for once.”

The difference in the game, besides seniors Nolan Gibson and Kenneth Thomas combining for 41 points, was the dozen rebounds hauled down by A.J. Rice, Hawk said.

Hawk added his team definitely wants to usher out the season on a positive note. The Hornets hosted Sumner Tuesday, with results coming too late to include here, and will battle league-leading, 14-1 Enumclaw at 7 p.m. Friday, immediately following the girls game.

“We haven’t given up in any of our games this year, so I certainly don’t see us lying down against a great nemesis like that tough Enumclaw club,” Hawk said. “We’d love nothing better than to finish off this season by handing Enumclaw its second loss of the regular campaign. Maybe they’ll take us for granted, like we’ve been hoping some team would all season long.”

Reach John Leggett at jleggett@courierherald.com or 360-802-8207.