Brant Heppner is a part of a long lineage at Lynden High School. His father, Brian Heppner, was a member of the 1990 state title basketball team while his grandfather, Howard Heppner, led the Lions to the program’s first two state titles in 1961 and 1962.
“Sports were engraved into me at a young age,” Brant Heppner said. “We are a Lynden family … It is definitely cool to live in that legacy of my dad, grandpa, brother and mom.”
Heppner, a 6-foot-6 senior, was the starting quarterback for the Lions and is currently a starting forward for the basketball team. After winning five state titles — football in 2021 and 2022 and basketball in 2021, 2022 and 2023 — Heppner is looking to capture his sixth before graduating in the spring.
“There are some arguments about who is the best [in my family], and they are getting older so they can’t back it up as much now,” Heppner said. “I don’t think about it that much but I am sure I will think about it when I am done playing.”
Since Heppner’s time at Lynden is coming to an end, he is trying to impact future generations of Lions.
“I am doing youth camps and I want to get into young kids’ minds how fun it is to play for Lynden and the atmosphere of the games,” Heppner said. “It is such a privilege and I will not take it for granted.”
Lynden’s athletics have helped Heppner learn how to handle adversity and push through some of the tougher days on the field or court. He also believes his coaches have helped shape him into a better person.
“These coaches engraved into us to not be the best player, but the best person we can be,” Heppner said. “They spend a lot of time on us so we can be great husbands and fathers when we are older.”
Heppner aims to be a role model for his younger teammates by providing support and creating a brotherhood that lasts a lifetime, he said.
He has also made a big impact on the court this season by averaging 22.1 points and 1.2 blocks per game as of Jan. 21.
Before he graduates, Heppner hopes to make Lynden the second team to win four straight state basketball titles in Washington history. Northwest Christian won four straight 2B titles from 2006–2009.
After basketball season, Heppner will decide if he wants to play football or hoops in college.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
