Whatcom County Girls & Boys High School Basketball
Whatcom Hoops: Girls Week 6 Recap (Jan. 5-10)
There are a lot of high school basketball rankings out there, but the one that matters most is the WIAA’s Rating Percentage Index (RPI). It is probably the most important factor in determining seedings in the playoffs, including state tournaments. It is a complicated formula taking into account teams’ records, their opponents’ records, and their opponents’ opponents’ records (we told you it was complicated), but not margin of victory, the classification of opponents, or head-to-head … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops: Boys Week 6 Recap (Jan. 5-10)
There are a lot of high school basketball rankings out there, but the one that matters most is the WIAA’s Rating Percentage Index (RPI). It is probably the most important factor in determining seedings in the playoffs, including state tournaments. It is a complicated formula taking into account teams’ records, their opponents’ records, and their opponents’ opponents’ records (we told you it was complicated), but not margin of victory, the classification of opponents, or head-to-head … Read More »
Confident Ferndale Boys Down Nooksack, 58-46
It has been a difficult winter for the Ferndale and Nooksack Valley boys basketball teams with their communities flooded and all the cancellations, but the Golden Eagles finally seemed to have it figured out, which they proved by winning their rescheduled game with the Pioneers, 58-46, on Saturday, Jan. 10. “Confidence is the key,” said Ferndale coach Luke DuChesne. “You’ve got to expect to win. We’re starting to figure it out.” The victory — in … Read More »
Nooksack Girls Adapt, Rally Past Burlington, 51-45
It took the Nooksack Valley girls basketball team three quarters to adapt, but once the Pioneers did it was enough to propel them past Burlington-Edison, 51-45, in a Northwest Conference game Thursday, Jan. 8. “Good teams have to be adaptable and adjust, and we want to be a good team,” said Nooksack Valley coach Shane Wichers, whose squad improved to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play. “You just have to hang around and take … Read More »
Lynden Girls Dominate Bellevue Christian, 82-37
In a matchup of defending state champions that was expected to be one of the few formidable tests for the Lynden girls basketball team before the playoffs, the Lions demolished Bellevue Christian, 82-37, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. “We knew they were good,” said junior Lexi Hermanutz, who had 15 points. “I was excited (to play them). It was fun.” The non-league victory raised Lynden’s record to 11-0 on the season, and while the result might … Read More »
Squalicum Girls Shoot Down Golden Eagles, 62-47
When the Squalicum girls basketball team realized it couldn’t outmuscle Ferndale in their Northwest Conference matchup, the Storm used a different weapon — the 3-pointer — to shoot down the Golden Eagles, 62-47, on Monday, Jan. 5. “We’ve been practicing our 3-pointers,” said Squalicum coach Caden Mee, whose squad improved to 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the NWC. “I’m really proud of the way they battled back and kept their heads high.” Through the first … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops: Boys Week 5 Recap (Dec. 29-Jan. 3)
It was a great week for the Lummi Nation and Lynden Christian boys teams, both of whom captured holiday tournament titles and finished the week with big victories. The Blackhawks claimed the only local boys tournament — the three-day Trojan Storm Winter Classic — by beating host Meridian in the final, and the Lyncs went down south to win both their games at the Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament. Sehome also won the Burlington-Edison Holiday Tournament. … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops: Girls Week 5 Recap (Dec. 29-Jan. 3)
While almost all the Whatcom girls teams participated in holiday tournaments early in the week, the Northwest Conference returned to league action with some big games on Friday and Saturday. Enjoying the week the most were Lummi Nation and Lynden, which swept through their respective three-day tourneys to claim championships in impressive fashion. The Lady Blackhawks accomplished it in their first time in the Trojan Storm Winter Classic, while it was nothing new for the … Read More »
Meridian Boys, Mount Baker Girls Notch Big Wins
Defense, they say, wins championship, but the Meridian boys and Mount Baker girls proved that you still need a little offense to win games as they defeated their counterparts in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Meridian on Saturday, Jan. 3. In what were expected to be defensive battles, the Meridian boys scored 18 points in a second-quarter run to take a lead they’d never relinquish in beating the Mounties, 68-54, and the Mount Baker girls … Read More »
Holiday Wrapup (Wednesday): Whatcom Teams End Year With Tourney Titles
Three Whatcom teams ended the year with championships by winning holiday tournament titles on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Trojan Storm Winter Classic at Meridian and the Lynden Christmas Classic at Lynden Christian. In their first year in the Meridian tournament, the Lummi Nation boys and girls took home championship trophies by defeating Whatcom rivals Meridian and Blaine, respectively, and the Lynden girls routed another foe for their third straight title at the LC tourney. … Read More »
Holiday Roundup (Tuesday): Lynden Girls Lead Whatcom Teams Into Finals
The local holiday basketball tournaments might feature teams from around the state, but the championship games of the three-day tourneys at Lynden Christian and Meridian will definitely have a Whatcom flavor on Wednesday, Dec. 31. After big wins on Tuesday, the undefeated Lynden girls will be playing for the Lynden Christmas Classic championship and the Lummi Nation boys and girls, the Meridian boys, the Blaine girls, and the Sehome girls will be in their respective … Read More »
Holiday Roundup (Monday): Lummi Boys, Girls Lead Whatcom Winners
It was a good day for Whatcom boys and girls teams as holiday tournaments sprang up around the state, including two in our county, on Monday, Dec. 29. In the Trojan Storm Winter Classic at Meridian, the Lummi Nation boys and girls had impressive victories to move into the semifinals. Joining the Blackhawks with Monday wins at the three-day tournament were the Bellingham boys and girls, the Meridian boys, and the Sehome, Blaine, and Mount … Read More »
At The Break: Boys Grades After Week 4 (Dec. 22-27)
Because last week was a quiet one — there were only three games involved Whatcom boys teams in Week 4 — and next week will bring a storm of holiday tournament results, it’s a great time to take inventory of where our teams are. So instead of our weekly Whatcom Hoops recap, we’re going to look at each team at the break and where they stand at this point of their seasons. For a look … Read More »
At The Break: Girls Grades After Week 4 (Dec. 22-27)
Because last week was a quiet one — there were only two games involved Whatcom girls teams in Week 4 — and this week will bring a flurry of holiday tournament results, it’s a great time to take inventory of where our teams are. So instead of our weekly Whatcom Hoops recap, we’re going to look at each team and where they stand at this point of their seasons. For a look at our Whatcom … Read More »