It’s time for state basketball. The long, arduous seasons of seven Whatcom County teams will wrap up at the Yakima Valley SunDome when the round of 12 begins Wednesday, March 1.
Sure, some might say the state tournament technically began last week with the regional round — it was always a 16-team field at the SunDome until the regional format was implemented in the 2010–11 season — which would technically be true given the seeding is the same and wins/losses directly affect the state bracket.
However, the grandeur of the regional environments, or lack thereof, pales in comparison to what takes place over four days in Yakima — and that’s where we’re headed.
Lynden Christian and Lynden are each sending both of their teams, while the Nooksack Valley girls, Blaine boys and Sehome boys will also look to capture a state championship this week.
Here’s what you need to know about all seven teams’ potential paths to a gold ball.
1A state tournament, girls: No. 1 Nooksack Valley
Record: 24-1
Points per game: 70.6
Points per game allowed: 30.8
Head coach: Shane Wichers
Key players: G Devin Coppinger, junior; G Hallie Kamphouse, senior; G/P Lainey Kimball, junior; P Tana Hoekema, junior; P Taylor Lentz, senior; G Kaylee Anderson, junior; P Ella Perry, senior
First game of tournament: Quarterfinals vs. winner of No. 7 Cashmere/No. 15 Annie Wright, 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 2.
2022 finish: Lost to Lynden Christian 57-56 in 1A state championship.
The Pioneers are on a 17-game win streak dating back to a 64-62 loss to Class 4A Tahoma on Dec. 27. NV returned the majority of its impact players, graduating just three seniors at the end of last season.
It’s no surprise NV landed the top seed in the bracket amid its revenge tour, as the Pioneers have already beaten No. 2-seeded Lynden Christian twice this year — once in the regular season and again for the 1A District 1 championship.
Following a lopsided regionals win over No. 8 Bellevue Christian, the bracket is favorable for NV who would not have to play any seed higher than No. 5 King’s before the title game.
1A state tournament, girls: No. 2 Lynden Christian
Record: 23-3
Points per game: 62.2
Points per game allowed: 36.7
Head coach: Brady Bomber
Key players: G Grace Hintz, sophomore; G Demi Dykstra, senior; G Daisy Poag, senior; F Taryn Herwerden, senior; F Reganne Arnold, senior; G Ella Fritts, freshman
First game of tournament: Quarterfinals vs. winner of No. 8 Bellevue Christian/No. 9 Freeman, 2 p.m., Thursday, March 2.
2022 finish: Defeated Nooksack Valley 57-56 in 1A state championship.
The defending state champion Lyncs don’t have quite as much firepower as a year ago, but they remain a force to be reckoned with heading into the tournament.
Sophomore guard Grace Hintz can detonate for 20–30 points on any given night, placing most opponents’ defensive focus on her and freeing up LC’s other scorers.
The Lyncs are battle tested and the roster has a wealth of state tournament experience, which bodes well for composure down the final stretch.
LC bested No. 7 Cashmere in the regional round, keeping them away from a single-elimination game. A semifinals matchup with either No. 3 Wapato or No. 4 Montesano will be the Lyncs’ toughest task ahead of a state championship appearance.
1A state tournament, boys: No. 1 Lynden Christian
Record: 23-2
Points per game: 67.8
Points per game allowed: 49.6
Head coach: Tim Zylstra
Key players: G Tyler Sipma, senior; F Jeremiah Wright, junior; G Griffin Dykstra, senior; G Dawson Bouma, junior; G Lane Dykstra, senior; G Dexter Zylstra, senior
First game of tournament: Quarterfinals vs. winner of No. 2 Zillah/No. 10 Seattle Academy, 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 2.
2022 finish: Defeated King’s 61-58 in 1A state championship.
Also defending state champions, LC has seamlessly replaced a crucial batch of seniors from a year ago by leaning heavily on senior guards Tyler Sipma and Griffin Dykstra, and junior forward Jeremiah Wright to produce offensively.
That’s not to say it isn’t working, as Sipma and Wright are good for at least 20 points per game as the No. 1 and 2 scoring options. The Lyncs have shown their ability to close out games by relying on their star players while picking up valuable minutes from their other starters and bench.
The Lyncs pushed past No. 8 Overlake in regionals, and in-county rival Blaine made LC’s path to the state title a bit tougher, slotting No. 2 Zillah in as a prospective quarterfinals opponent. From there, the Lyncs may run into No. 4 Freeman in the semifinals on their path to a repeat title.
1A state tournament, boys: No. 7 Blaine
Record: 17-7
Points per game: 67
Points per game allowed: 58.3
Head coach: Nate Sullivan
Key players: F Mathew Russ, senior; G Lucas Smith, senior; G Carson Lehnert, senior; G Lawrence Creasey Pulphus, senior; G Ethan Koreski, senior; F Noah Tavis, junior
First game of tournament: Quarterfinals vs. winner of No. 8 Overlake/No. 16 Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls, 9 p.m., Thursday, March 2.
2022 finish: Lost to Quincy 69-51 in round of 12.
Blaine began the season 10-1 before suffering four-straight losses to top Northwest Conference opponents between Jan. 23–31, hurting them in the state seeding process.
It looks like whatever soul-searching the Borderites did during that stretch has paid off.
The Borderites made an early trip over the mountains to play No. 2 Zillah in regionals on Feb. 25, putting an end to the Leopards’ 20-game win streak with a 61-58 win. The upset victory gave Blaine a straight shot to the quarterfinals and an easier path to a championship berth.
Five of Blaine’s seven total seniors lead the Borderites’ talented group, with an often equally distributed scoring burden. Keying on one man won’t do the trick against this team, which makes them dangerous if a hot hand or two emerges.
Blaine’s toughest matchup before a title berth would be No. 3 Annie Wright or No. 5 King’s in the semifinals.
2A state tournament, girls: No. 2 Lynden
Record: 20-5
Points per game: 57.2
Points per game allowed: 36.4
Head coach: Vic Wolffis
Key players: P Payton Mills, freshman; G Kalanie Newcomb, junior; F Haylee Koetje, junior; G Adia Newcomb, senior; G Mallary Villars, junior; G Mya VanderYacht, junior
First game of tournament: Round of 12 vs. No. 10 Othello (17-9), 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 1.
2022 finish: Lost to W.F. West 55-30 in round of 12.
Fresh off a 10-point 2A District 1 championship win over Burlington-Edison, Lynden fell short in an upset loss to No. 7 White River in regionals.
The loss made the Lions’ path to a championship berth far tougher, falling on the same side of the bracket as undefeated top-seeded Ellensburg. A win on Wednesday pits Lynden against the Bulldogs in the quarterfinals — a matchup that might be played much sooner than many expected.
Nevertheless, the Lions have all the tools to get back on track. They can score at all three levels, and freshman post Payton Mills’ emergence as the top scoring option has filled the void of size down low that the team lacked last season.
2A state tournament, boys: No. 5 Sehome
Record: 18-5
Points per game: 64.7
Points per game allowed: 52.9
Head coach: Brad Jackson
Key players: C Grey Garrison, senior; G Grant Kepley, senior; G Dane Dominguez, senior; G Mat Storms, senior; F Isaac Lawrence, senior; C Braddock Duckworth, junior; G Nolan Wright, freshman
First game of tournament: Round of 12 vs. No. 13 North Kitsap (18-7), 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 1.
2022 finish: Lost to Lynden 72-60 in quarterfinals, eliminated in 62-47 loss to Tumwater in consolation semifinals.
The Mariners weren’t able to get past No. 4 Mark Morris in regionals, losing 84-72 on Feb. 25, but Sehome remains well-geared to make a run at the title.
If Sehome can beat No. 13 North Kitsap in the round-of-12, it will move on to face No. 6 Lynden in the quarterfinals — a team the Mariners have already beaten twice this year. That’s not to say it’ll be easy, and besting a team three times in one season is among the toughest things to do in sports.
However, Sehome has the advantage of size (seven players 6-foot-2 or taller) and experience (nine seniors) on its side, and a deep bench of contributors keeps the Mariners’ ceiling very high. Much of the team has been here before, and they are tough to match offensively when their starters are hot.
Sehome, like Lynden, is in a cluttered 2A bracket where it’s anyone’s best guess as to who will reign supreme. Any game the Mariners play between the opening round and the championship game will be a slugfest.
2A state tournament, boys: No. 6 Lynden
Record: 21-4
Points per game: 65.7
Points per game allowed: 45.9
Head coach: Brian Roper
Key players: G Anthony Canales, junior; G Coston Parcher, senior; F Brant Heppner, sophomore; F Kobe Baar, senior; F Treyson Smiley, senior; G Brady Elsner, junior
First game of tournament: Quarterfinals vs. winner of No. 5 Sehome/No. 13 North Kitsap, 12:15 p.m., Thursday, March 2.
2022 finish: Defeated Pullman 51-34 in 2A state championship.
The defending state champion Lions will have their work cut out for them at the tournament this year, but a 70-52 regional win over No. 3 Renton has certainly aided their path.
That win catapulted Lynden to the quarterfinals where they may meet No. 6 Sehome, who they have lost to twice this season. The second meeting was decided by just two points, breathing some hope into the Lions about a prospective third contest.
Guards Anthony Canales, Coston “Bubba” Parcher and sophomore forward Brant Heppner do most of the heavy lifting on the scoreboard, but defensive anchors Kobe Baar and Treyson Smiley can produce when opponents’ focus shifts to the top options. The Lions’ bench isn’t as deep as it was in 2022, but they have serviceable reserves that have shined in big moments.
Like Sehome, no game on the path to a championship berth will be easy, but the Lions have the benefit of an extra day off.
