Akil White has created a winning culture at Davis. The girls squad for the Pirates is currently ranked #1 in the 4A state RPI. Jamie Council catches up with White and junior point guard Deets Parrish about the team.
More info: https://www.davispiratesports.com/sport/basketball/girls
A few years ago, the idea of Davis High School girls basketball being a state powerhouse would have surprised most people in Yakima. Today? The Pirates are not only known — they’re feared, sitting atop the 4A RPI rankings in Washington and proving that last year’s state trophy run was no fluke.
Head coach Akil White, now in his fifth year, has helped shape a culture built on more than just wins and losses.
“We want this to be the best experience these girls ever have. Forget the wins and losses — the experience comes first. The success follows,” White said on The Sports Council.
Building a Contender: One Schedule at a Time
To get the program to this level, White has taken an aggressive approach: play the best to become the best.
“We’ve played some of the toughest teams in the country. One of our only losses was to Clackamas — they’re top 10 in the nation. The kids want those games,” White said.
Scheduling isn’t easy at the high school level, especially in Washington where teams get a limited number of non-league matchups. White credits his athletic director for giving him freedom to find top competition, from local rivals to out-of-state powerhouses.
Young — But Not Intimidated
It might surprise some that Davis’s starting five is anchored by underclassmen.
“We’re young. We start four sophomores and a junior. But they don’t back down from anybody,” White said. “They play hard. They love to compete.”
Star guard Cheyenne Hull is already an All-State talent — and if the name rings a bell, it should: her sister, Trista, starred at Boise State and now plays for Portland. Cheyenne’s tenacity might even surpass her sister’s.
“She’s relentless on defense, and her offense just keeps getting better. She’s going to be one of the most decorated players to come out of here,” White said.
Other key starters include sophomore standouts Avery Brand, Issa Garcia, Paige Gasseling, and junior transfer Deets Parish, last year’s 2A Player of the Year at Wapato. Parish brings valuable experience and leadership to the young roster.
“Age doesn’t affect us. We have a high IQ. If anything, I think we play smarter than most teams,” Parish said.
Off the bench, Davis is even deeper than last year’s trophy-winning team. Ella Craig, a track star turned impact guard, and Kobe Johnson, battling back from a knee injury, add speed and grit in big moments.
“Our depth is what makes us dangerous this year,” White said. “That’s the big jump from last year to this year.”
Culture: A Winning Identity
If you peek into Davis’s locker room, you’ll see it written on shirts and banners: “Culture.” It’s more than a motto — it’s an identity the program has built carefully, season by season.
“That word ‘culture’ — we talk about it every day. My first teams set it. This group carries it. Now the expectation is clear: if you wear this jersey, you play hard, you support each other, and you chase big goals,” White said.
Before White arrived, Davis had never even been to the state tournament. In year three, they broke through. Last season? They took home their first ever state trophy. Now, the Pirates are aiming even higher.
Eyes on Tacoma — and Beyond
Despite being ranked No. 1, White doesn’t dwell on big declarations.
“We don’t talk about goofy goals. We play hard, we play together, and we see where the ball bounces,” he said.
His players echo that mindset. Parish, who’s about to hit the 1,000-point milestone, cares more about the gold ball than any stat sheet.
“I just want to win state. The thousand points — that’s for my family. But winning means more,” she said.
Rising Stars in Eastern Washington
With Davis, Chiawana, and Kamiakin all in the mix, White sees this as a golden era for girls hoops in Eastern Washington.
“People forget about the east side sometimes. But look at us, look at Kamiakin, look at Chiawana. There’s talent here. And we’re proud to be part of it,” he said.
His only wish? Not to see those rivals until they meet in Tacoma.
“Let’s not knock each other out before we get there. We all want to play each other under the Dome lights,” White said with a laugh.
Catch the Pirates
The Pirates are 14–2 and locked in for a deep playoff run. Fans can follow them live at Davis High or on NFHS streams — and as always, catch more local sports stories on The Sports Council every Thursday at 11:30 AM on 1340 ESPN Tri-Cities or on demand at 1340espnradio.com.