WHITE RIVER GIRLS
The White River High girls – one of the premier programs in the state, based on repeat appearances in postseason play – again find themselves in the Class 2A’s Sweet 16.
The Hornets, under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Chris Gibson, advanced as part of last week’s West Central District tournament. White River’s district trip included a Feb. 14 victory over the Sequim Wolves and a win the following evening over North Kitsap. That sent the Hornets to Saturday’s WCD championship game, which saw White River score just 32 points and suffer a 21-point loss to the Port Angeles Roughriders.
As of Sunday morning, the brackets for the 16-team regional round had not been posted. However, the Hornets will play either Friday or Saturday, Feb. 22 or 23. From regionals, a dozen of the 16 teams will advance to the four-day Class 2A state tournament, once again at the SunDome in Yakima. The top four regional teams will receive a first-day bye at state. The tourney runs Feb. 27 through March 2
WHITE RIVER BOYS
The season came to a sudden close Feb. 15, when the Hornet boys fell 67-64 to Foss High in a loser-out contest. The game, played at nearby Bonney Lake High, was part of the West Central District tournament that eventually advanced six teams to regionals.
The White River boys finished the 2018-19 campaign with an overall record of 12-9 which included a second-place finish in the South Puget Sound League 2A’s East Division.
ENUMCLAW BOYS
A 58-49 loss to the Kentridge Chargers brought an end to the season for the Enumclaw High boys basketball team.
The Hornets had finished third in the North Puget Sound League, won their league tournament game and split their first two West Central District games. The Feb. 14 contest against Kentridge, staged at Tacoma’s Stadium High, was a loser-out affair.
The Hornets had kept their postseason hopes afloat Feb. 13, defeating Rogers of Puyallup 44-33. The tourney game was played at Auburn High School.
Enumclaw finished the season with an overall record of 11-13.
SUMNER BOYS
Playing their fourth game in four days, the Sumner High boys landed just one game short of securing a berth in the state Class 4A Sweet 16.
Playing Saturday afternoon at Tacoma’s Stadium High, the Spartans fell 65-54 to the Puyallup Vikings in a loser-out contest that advanced the winner to the regional round of the 4A state tourney.
Sumner’s busy path was forced by snowy weather that compressed the West Central/Southwest District tournament. Along the way, Sumner had defeated Kentwood 57-46 on Feb. 13 and slipped past the Skyview Storm (Greater St. Helens League) 59-56 the following night before losing 57-36 to the Kentridge Chargers on Feb. 15.
The Spartans finished the season with an overall record of 12-13, which included a break-even mark of 8-8 in South Puget Sound League play.
SUMNER GIRLS
The Spartan girls’ season came to a close the evening of Feb. 13, the result of a 55-31 loss to the Curtis Vikings.
The loser-out contest came in the second round of the West Central/Southwest District tournament. The 6 p.m. game was played at Rogers High in South Hill.
The Sumner squad finished the season with an overall record of 11-11. The team had gone 9-7 in South Puget Sound League play and tied for fourth place.
BONNEY LAKE GIRLS
The Panther girls had advanced to the West Central/Southwest District tournament but, once there, the challenge was too formidable.
Bonney Lake lasted two games in the double-elimination format. After opening with a loss to the Lincoln Abes, then waiting a week for a second game, the Panthers fell to Hudson’s Bay 57-37 on Feb. 14.
The Bonney Lake squad finished the season with an overall mark of 12-11.
