If there was one word to describe the Whitney boys basketball team’s tournament success this season it would be “consistent”. 

 

Whitney, in its four tournaments this season, has gone 3-1, 3-0, 2-1 and most recently 2-1 again at the Mike “Tako” Takayama Memorial Tournament. 

 

In the first game of the tournament, Whitney was slated against a strong Foothill (Palo Cedro) team that came into the game 9-2. The ‘Cats passed the first test using a strong offense to knock off the Cougars, 57-36. 

 

“We played really well in our first game,” Whitney head coach Nick French said. “(Foothill) is a very good team.” 

 

Playing a tougher opponent in the second contest, the Wildcats took on a strong Franklin team out of the Delta League. In that game, Whitney had its worst offensive showing of the season, losing in heartbreaking fashion, 41-38. 

 

“In that game, we couldn’t hit a shot,” French said. “Despite the loss, I thought our kids played really hard on defense. Franklin is a very tough team.”

 

However, Whitney had the opportunity to bounce back taking on Nevada Union, the team they replaced in the Sierra Foothill League. Although the Miners’ 5-8 record did not look appealing on paper, NU didn’t play Saturday like its record indicates. 

 

Whitney and Nevada Union found themselves in a barn-burner in the first half, but the ‘Cats’ led the Miners 30-21 at the break.

In the second half, Whitney pulled away, despite a late fourth-quarter surge by the Miners. The Wildcats held off Nevada Union 56-44 to finish the weekend 2-1.

 

“I thought (Nevada Union) played really well today and they are a very good team,” French said. “I was proud of our guys for fighting through adversity after last night’s game. To be able to come back the next morning and to get a win says a lot about this team.” 

 

To close out the non-conference schedule, Whitney will travel south to the Rancho Mirage Holiday Invitational. In that tournament, Whitney will play teams from across the West Coast in preparation for a tough league schedule. 

 

“(The Rancho Mirage Tournament) is like that final tune-up before SFL play,” French said. “It is going to be good for us to play tough teams to get ready for league play.” 

 

The Wildcats open league competition at home Jan. 4 versus Del Oro.

 

 

Lady 'Cats bounce back for two wins

 

 

For the second straight weekend, the Whitney High girls basketball team went 2-1 in a tournament. Last week, they competed in the Mike “Tako” Takayama Memorial, a tournament to honor former longtime Del Oro girls basketball head coach Mike Takayama. 

 

“Tako was a great man,” Whitney head coach Sydney Gatson said on playing in the tournament for the first time. “I really looked up to him a lot and he was a great mentor. I really think this would be his vision for a tournament and it was a great honor to be invited.” 

 

In the first game, Whitney faced off against Foothill of Palo Cedro. Although the Wildcats only led 37-35 at the end of three quarters, their 17-14 fourth-quarter run was just enough to seal the 54-49 victory.

 

“I saw us really come together,” Gatson said. “It was an unfamiliar opponent, so it was really good to see our team make adjustments as the game went on.” 

 

Against Franklin Friday, the Wildcats took a step back. Taking on a team Whitney had already seen twice, the third time wasn’t the charm. Whitney was outscored in every quarter but the second and despite the late push, the Wildcats fell to Franklin, 57-48. 

 

“We had a lot of mental errors in that game,” Gatson said. “I don’t think we handled their pressure down the stretch, but I thought we made a good run at it in the fourth quarter. In the end, it was just too many mistakes we made.” 

 

However, Whitney found redemption in the final game of the round-robin style tournament. Facing off against Nevada Union, the ‘Cats finally found their stride. 

 

“I saw a lot of grit from our team when (Nevada Union) was making a run,” Gatson said. “We didn’t panic and we showed a lot of poise as well.” 

 

Behind a 12-point performance by Mazie MacFarlane and 10 points chipped in by Jada Lewis, Whitney was able to close out the tournament with a slim 48-44 victory. 

 

“This was a definite boost of confidence for us,” Gatson said. “It’s a positive feeling to have heading into our next tournament.” 

 

The Wildcats final tune-up before heading into league play will be the West Coast Jamboree in the Concord area. Whitney opens up Sierra Foothill play Jan. 4 versus Del Oro. 


