Scratch winning a district title off the Sumner High to-do list.
Sumner knocked off ninth-ranked White River, 55-39, on Monday at the ShoWare Center in Kent, winning the first Class 2A West Central District championship in school history.
“It’s big for our school, and for the climate at our school – we’re trying to create the basketball climate,” Sumner coach Brett McDaniel said.
Joey Kendall scored 10 points in the first quarter, helping Sumner (21-5) jump out to an early lead that it did not relinquish.
“It’s unreal, it feels fantastic, that’s for sure,” said Kendall, with the remnants of the net hanging from his neck.
It was the fourth meeting of the season between the schools, who faced one another twice in South Puget Sound League play, and then again in the sub-district tourney. Sumner won the first two meetings, and White River was victorious at sub-district, causing a strategy change for the Spartans.
“They’re really quick – they beat us off the dribble the last time we played them,” said McDaniel. “I didn’t want to try that again, so we went to a zone today and it seemed to work out for us.”
White River (22-5) had trouble getting the ball inside against the taller Spartans. Instead, the Hornets settled for a lot of contested outside shots.
“They have really good shooters, so we worked hard making sure we were out on shooters, and (making) sure every shot is contested,” said McDaniel.
Kendall led all scorers with 18 points, and teammate Zeb Glissmeyer scored 15. Billy Kiel and Jason Tyler scored 10 each for White River.
In terms of the upcoming regional round of the state tournament, White River may have drawn a better matchup, despite losing the district final.
The Hornets will play the winner of today’s North Thurston-Washougal game at 6 p.m. Friday at Mount Tahoma High.
Sumner’s reward for being district champion is drawing second-ranked Lynden at 8 p.m. Friday at Mount Tahoma.
GIRLS FINAL
White River 41, Port Angeles 32: The Hornets were struggling offensively and trailing the Roughriders when freshman Amanda Lance caught fire.
Lance drilled four 3-pointers in the second quarter, giving White River the spark it needed to power past Port Angeles.
“She saved us there,” White River coach Chris Gibson said. “She got on a great run.”
Lance finished with a game-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc as the Hornets claimed their first bi-district title since they won the 3A crown in 2006.
Lance missed her first two attempts, but she kept shooting.
“I just thought, ‘I have to do what I have to do to help the team and be there for everybody,’ ” she said.
Kennedy Hobert added 12 points and eight rebounds for White River (24-2).
White River and Port Angeles (17-8) both will play in the regional round of the state tournament Saturday at Mount Tahoma High. The Hornets will meet Sehome at 6 p.m. and the Roughriders will play the winner of today’s North Thurston-River Ridge contest at 4 p.m.
Staff writer Doug Pacey contributed to this report.
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