A double dose of success came White River’s way during the Hornets’ annual trek to the San Diego Classic basketball tournament.
Coach Chris Gibson and his crew have been a traditional entry in sunny Southern California’s hoop extravaganza. This marked the 25th year White River has graced the Classic courts.
Success has come frequently for the Buckley bunch and this year was no different. During the June 28-30 competition, both the Hornet varsity and junior varsity squads went undefeated and captured division championships.
A year ago, Gibson’s JV squad took top honors while the varsity crew won three of four games and placed third. The varsity crew took top honors in both 2022 and 2017.
This year’s edition of the San Diego Classic saw the White River varsity initially placed in a four-team pool that also included Torrey Pines, Chaparral and Grossmont, a trio of California teams. The Hornets made easy work of pool play, defeating Chaparral 78-32 on opening day, then whipping Grossmont 49-13 and Torrey Pines 57-29 on the second day of the tournament.
Paired against other pool champs, things turned tougher. On the final day, the Hornets defeated Glendora (California) 61-50 to reach the 2A division championship game which proved to be quite a thriller. Squaring off against Salpoint High (Tucson, Arizona) White River went into overtime before securing a 66-60 victory and a tourney title.
The Hornet junior varsity squad, headed by longtime Gibson assistant Megan Turner, won three tournament games to take the 1A championship. Along the way, White River defeated Torry Pines 29-24, blasted Mira Mesa 54-7, downed Galena 35-28 and, in the 1A championship battle, swamped Canyon Hills 36-16.
Making the San Diego trip were the varsity crew of Gracie Banks, Malia Froemke, Kaitlyn Hewlett, Vivian Kingston, Jadyn Olson, Myia Olson, Maggee Schmitz, Dakota Sprouse, Emma Voellger and Kaijah Young.
The Hornet JV squad included Victoria Blakely, Charley Jo Cochran, Elliott Courtney, Hayden Fox, Aislinn Howisey, Madelyn Jameyson, Ember Olson, McKenna Rathbun, Brea Snover, Riley Soule, Ella Stone and Kalese Turgeon.
The San Diego Classic first appeared in 1987 when eight teams gathered for a tourney founded by California Hall of Fame coach Wade Vickery.
Contributed photo The White River JV squad captured a San Diego title with a roster that included: (in back, from left) head coach Megan Turner, Victoria Blakely, Madelyn Jameyson, Charley Jo Cochran, McKenna Rathbun, Ember Olson, Elliott Courtney, Kalese Turgeon and assistant coach Georgia Lavinder; in front are Aislinn Howisey, Hayden Fox, Riley Soule, Brea Snover and Ella Stone.
