High school basketball teams are almost at their final destination.
The regional round of the state tournament is here and while most Whatcom County teams are automatically moving on to the next round, a few have to survive this weekend.
The Ferndale boys by far have the longest and most difficult path to the Tacoma Dome next week.
As the No. 18 seed in the 3A tournament, the Golden Eagles have to first win a play-in round game Tuesday to make it to the regional round this weekend. The play-in round is unique to the 3A tournament as it is the classification with the most schools in the state.
The schedule for Whatcom County teams is below.
Tuesday
The Ferndale boys are taking a long road trip to Kennewick High School in the play-in round of the 3A tournament. The loser is out and the winner advances to regionals. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
They would play Saturday at Bellevue College against No. 10 Lake Washington.
Another win there would put the Golden Eagles in the Tacoma Dome next week.
Friday
The Lynden girls are another team that has to win this week in order to advance.
As the No. 12 seed, the Lions do get to host their regional game against No. 13 Sequim at Mount Vernon High School. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
A loss will end Lynden’s season and a win will put them in the Yakima Valley SunDome next week.
The No. 2 Lynden boys will play after the girls Friday at Mount Vernon High School, hosting No. 7 Port Angeles.
Whether the Lions win or lose, they will advance to play in Yakima next week. A loss would have them playing the first day of the tournament, while a win would automatically put them in the quarterfinal round.
The No. 8 Sehome boys will be taking a trip down Interstate 5 Friday to play top-seeded North Kitsap at Foss High School in Tacoma.
Like the Lynden boys, a win puts Sehome in the quarterfinals and a loss puts them in the first day of the tournament in Yakima.
Saturday
All of the 1A teams in the area that qualified for regionals will be playing Saturday at Mount Vernon High School.
Starting the day at 2 p.m. will be the Nooksack Valley girls, the tournament’s No. 2 seed.
The Pioneers will host No. 7 Colville. If they win, they’re in the quarterfinals. If not, they play the first day in Yakima.
Following that game will be the ninth-seeded Blaine boys against sixteenth-seeded Wahluke.
The Borderites need a win to advance. A loss would end their season.
The Lynden Christian girls are the top-seed in the tournament and will play No. 8 Seattle Academy at 6 p.m.
As the top-seeded team, the Lyncs are moving on to play in Yakima whether they win or lose.
Lynden Christian will close out the day at Mount Vernon High School with the boys playing seventh-seeded Annie Wright.
The Lyncs boys are the No. 2 seed in the tournament and much like their higher seed counterparts above, will move on to play next week in Yakima with a win or loss.
