The regular season was a fine tune-up for White River High’s boys basketball team, but the Class 2A subdistrict tournaments brought even greater accomplishments.

The Hornets placed second during the South Puget Sound League 2A campaign, but each found even more success during the three-game tourney that set the stage for this week’s district tournament.

Having defeated Steilacoom, Clover Park and Fife in the span of four subdistrict nights, the Hornet boys received a well-deserved bye in the first round of district play.

White River opens the district tourney at 7:45 tonight, Wednesday, taking on the winner of Tuesday night’s contest between Sumner and Lindbergh. The game is slated for Curtis High in University Place.

White River captured the subdistrict crown Friday night, beating Fife 44-43 in Buckley.

Trailing 40-38 after three quarters of play, the Hornets managed only six points in the final eight minutes, but that was plenty. White River’s defense allowed the Trojans just a lone 3-point bucket to nail down the hard-fought win.

Spencer Swigart scored the Hornets’ go-ahead hoop with 1:15 to play. He finished with 12 points to lead the White River offense.