Girls
The White River High girls showed they will again be a postseason force to be reckoned with, winning their first two district tournament basketball games by a combined margin of 48 points.
The impressive outings included a 64-33 thrashing of Bremerton on Feb. 14, followed by a 50-34, Saturday night defeat of Port Angeles.
The victories pushed the Hornets into district championship battle with Sumner High, which was played Monday at Kent’s ShoWare Center. Due to press deadlines, results were not available; check www.courierherald.com for updates.
The wins also guaranteed White River’s girls a berth in the regional round of the state Class 2A tournament. Sixteen teams will play this weekend at a trio of sites, with the Elite Eight advancing to the three-day finals, to be contested Feb. 28 through March 2 at Yakima’s SunDome. Last season, the Hornet girls won two of three games in Yakima, finishing third.
White River’s district opener against Bremerton lacked drama, as the Hornets raced to a 18-9 lead after eight minutes and pulled away 40-14 by halftime. Kennedy Hobert and Amanda Lance scored 19 points each to lead the way.
Boys
With a pair of district basketball victories last week, the White River High boys assured themselves of a berth in this week’s regional round of competition, which comprises the first half of the 16-team state tournament.
Regionals will be played at various sites later this week; watch www.courierherald.com for details.
The regional round will pare the field to an Elite Eight, who will travel to Yakima’s SunDome for the state Class 2A finals. Games will begin Feb. 28 and wrap up March 2.
The Hornet boys made the state trip a year ago and made quite a splash, winning their first two Yakima games and advancing to the 2A finals. There, the Hornets fell short, but still hauled home a second-place trophy.
White River’s district experience began Feb. 13 with a loser-out contest against North Kitsap, a contest the Hornets easily captured 55-32. White River continued its roll with a 69-66, Friday night victory over Olympic High, before fall 64-50 Saturday to highly-regarded Clover Park.
Winning two of three put the Hornets into a Monday game against familiar foe Sumner High, with the winner getting the No. 3 seed into regional play and the loser going as No. 4. That game, played at Foss High in Tacoma, came after press deadlines.
Against North Kitsap, Dustin France led the way with 11 points and Brandon Dove had 10. Friday, Dove tallied 23, France added 15 and Spencer Swigart had 12. Saturday, Dove paced the Hornets with 18.
