1966: Hornets' Class B State Basketball Team

The only team to ever make the State Class B Boys Basketball Tournament was the 1966 Hornets. On March 2, 1966, the team faced off against Toutle Lake, falling 60-50. It lost to Endicott the next day 56-46.

Source: Tribal Tribune via Michael Finley

Here's an excerpt from the April 4, 1966 Tribal Tribune:

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON

The Inchelium Hornets, often referred to by the others throughout the 1966 basketball season as the “surprise team,” “on and off” team or “Cinderella” team, were none of these to its loyal fans at Inchelium and other areas on or around the Colville Reservation.

With but one regular returning this year, a new crop of high spirited young Hornets stepped in to “sting” their way through the Panarama League, the district tournament, and into the state class B tournament at Spokane. Under the capable leadership of Inchelium High School’s new coach, Gene Downing, the Hornets of 1966 carried their banner farther than ever before.

This year represents the first time in six attempts that Inchelium managed to earn a spot in the state class B finals. Quite an honor for a school of its size!

At the state tournament, held in the Spokane Colosseum, the Hornets lost hard-fought battles to the state’s 4th and 5th ranked teams, Toutle Lake and Endicott. Nevertheless, it was a fine effort, demonstrating that Inchelium and other Panarama B entries are to be reckoned with.

HERE ARE THE INCHELIUM HIGH SCHOOL HORNETS! From left, David Desautel, Terry Finley, Whitey Holford, Dan Shaffer, Eric Ellsworth, Rudy Christianson, Bill Crawford, Merle Andrews, Richard Ferguson, Ron Bourgeau, Rudy Boyd and Dennis Osburn. At center is coach Gene Downing.