Kicking off the basketball season with two victories, the White River High girls reinforced the notion they’re a program to be reckoned with.
The Hornets opened the 2009-10 campaign Dec. 1 against the Class 4A Rogers Rams, defeating their visitors 67-52, then opened the South Puget Sound League 3A season Friday with a 65-37 triumph over the Peninsula Seahawks.
Friday’s league opener saw the Hornets outscore their hosts in every quarter, taking a 23-11 lead after eight minutes, a 39-17 advantage by halftime and a 59-29 margin by the end of the third quarter.
Junior sharpshooter Brook Paulson led the White River offense with 24 points and, for the second game in a row, Sabra Sproul contributed 10.
“It’s a tough place to play,” Hornet coach Chris Gibson said of the trip to Purdy. “We went in expecting a tough game.”
Recent history said it should have been closer. A season ago, the Seahawks came within two points of upsetting White River on their home court.
The season opener was a lopsided affair as the Hornets took a commanding 39-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. A 20-12 White River advantage in the third quarter put the contest out of reach and it was only when the Hornets took their foot off the accelerator that the Rams made the score appear respectable.
“Some young kids were able to get their first varsity experience,” Gibson said, pulling one nugget from a contest that offered precious little in the way of drama.
Megan McKune started her senior season on a high note, scoring a game-high 24 points. Paulson and Sproul had 10 each.
White River’s girls went searching for their second SPSL 3A victory Tuesday night when they hosted Clover Park; results came too late to be included here, but will be posted at www.courierherald.com. Gibson said the Warriors are quick and talented, much improved over the squad that finished last in the SPSL 3A last season.
Friday brings a key early-season matchup, as the Hornets travel to Auburn Mountainview.
“They’re the tallest team in the league,” Gibson said of the Lions, who are one of the preseason favorites to challenge White River for the league title.
