The White River High boys had just defeated North Thurston 56-37 in Friday’s regional round of the Class 2A state basketball tournament, but Hornet coach Rick Tripp was already contemplating the next step in his Hornets’ dream season.

Friday’s victory in the Sweet 16 round “was only the first leg of our long, arduous journey, because we have a lot more hard work remaining,” said Tripp, who has guided his club to a 21-6 record thus far.

With the victory the Hornet boys qualified for the state Class 2A’s Elite Eight, which will be played out Thursday through Sunday at the SunDome in Yakima.

Pairings for Yakima were determined Sunday afternoon and the  Hornets snagged a premier slot, playing Thursday’s final game. White River will square off against Ellensburg with tipoff time slated for 9 p.m. If the Hornets win Thursday, they will play at 9 p.m. Friday against the winner of Thursday’s clash between Lindbergh and Clover Park. If the Hornets lose Thursday, they will play at 2 p.m. Friday against the Lindbergh/Clover Park loser.

The Yakima tournament is a double-elimination affair, but two victories sends a team to the championship game.

In qualifying for the Elite Eight, White River had little trouble with North Thurston.

By intermission, the Hornets had already doubled up on North Thurston 26-13 and it was apparent the visitors from Lacey were not having one of their better outings.

Once again, White River’s stellar guard trio of Jason Tyler, 20 points, Billy Kiel, 12, and Alex Sayler, 10, succeeded in dispelling the notion that having a roster of giants is mandatory for putting a championship team on the court.

“I was really proud of the way our guys finished out the task of handling the Rams,” Tripp said following Friday’s victory. “I know we can keep the momentum going.”