Sumner Girls Fell Short Against White River

Tukwila - Sumner’s second half rally fell short as the White River Hornets claimed the West Central District’s number one seed in their 60-54 win. Hornets’ forward Rani Wiegand scored 23 points, along with guard Brooke Paulson, who scored 13 points. Spartans’ post player Kaitlin King led her team with 15 points, 4 steals and 2 blocks.

Sumner (18-4) entered the fourth quarter with a 45-41 and tried to keep the lead until Wiegand scored a field goal to give White River (19-3) the lead 53-52 with less than three minutes left. Sumner was forced to take outside shots as the Hornets kept the inside guarded. Spartans’ guard Erika Olsen, who finished with 13 points and 2 steals, made her field goal to cut the lead 57-54, but with less than a minute left in the game, the Spartans were unable to get another basket as Wiegard made her field goal with 30 seconds left to seal the game.

Sumner’s Head Coach Rob Thayer said that while Sumner was in one-on-one defense, White River took advantage of the Spartans double-teaming their top players.

“We tried to focus on their two big scorers and sometimes you turn your head and watch them too much,” said Thayer, “and then you get someone to backdoor.”

Spartans’ guard Angie Wagar-Sanchez, who had 11 points and one steal, helped to keep her team close as Sumner trailed 34-26 at halftime, but was unable to score in the second half.

Thayer said the Spartans had to use their energy to overcome a 15-point deficit at the beginning of the second quarter.

“We got off to a really bad start,” said Thayer. “We weren’t ready to play in the first quarter.”

Sumner will enter the district tournament as the number two seed Thursday, Feb. 17, at Foss High School. Tip-off starts at 8 p.m.