White River High’s boys basketball team expended every ounce of energy toward upsetting its rival on Enumclaw’s home court Friday, but just couldn’t get it done before a noisy and lively partisan Enumclaw crowd, falling 64-55.

The outcome was identical to when the dueling Hornets locked horns in mid-January at White River’s gym. The scenario was a bit different this time around, though, as White River was like a determined terrier chewing on the pant leg of their basketball foe, challenging their opponent at every turn.

“We were sorry that the outcome didn’t favor us…again,” White River coach Bill Hawk said, “but at least we competed hard just like we have all season and gave it our best effort until the bitter end.

White River wound up with a 4-12 league mark, beating Bonney Lake and Sumner twice each.

In the season-ending loss, senior forward Kenneth Thomas and junior backcourt man Chad Sayler combined to ring up 33 points.

White River did not falter at any time during the contest’s four periods and, according to Enumclaw mentor Phil Engebretsen, played possibly its best game of the season.

“Hats off to White River. They saved their best game for last and really gave us a run for our money,” Engebretsen said. “Some teams don’t match up well against us at all. When we traveled to Franklin Pierce last week, they just couldn’t get untracked against us because our defense completely took them out of their game.

“White River never gives anything away, especially when they are the visiting team,” Engebretsen said. “We have to scrap and earn everything we get. Those guys always play us hard and force us to bring our A game. I guess that is the way rivalry games should be, though.”

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