1A Girls Regional: LC Escapes Upset Thanks To Amazing Comeback

In the storied annals of Lynden Christian girls basketball there have been more than 1,000 wins but none like the Lyncs’ victory in their Class 1A state regional on Saturday, March 1.

Down by 16 points in the fourth quarter against an upset-minded gang from Naches Valley, top-ranked Lynden Christian used an historic comeback to escape with a thrilling and shocking 57-54 triumph at Mount Vernon High School.

The Lyncs will now move on to the Yakima SunDome for a state quarterfinal on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. They will play the winner of Wednesday’s loser-out contest between Montesano and Cashmere.

But first, let them enjoy Saturday afternoon’s exciting victory.

“I was proud of our girls for their toughness and togetherness,” said Lynden Christian coach Brady Bomber, whose squad improved to 21-3. “It’s easier on a whiteboard than when you’re down 16 to a good team.”

Indeed. After asking how the Lyncs managed to rally from so far behind, the next question should be, how did Naches Valley ever lose five games before Saturday?

For three quarters, the Rangers, who came in seeded eighth after placing third in the District 5 tournament, were the better team.

They outhustled, outrebounded, and outshot the Lyncs, building a 15-point lead in the second period. And even when LC rallied to close to within seven just before halftime, Naches Valley answered, extending the margin to as much as 17 and owning a seemingly insurmountable 49-33 lead after three quarters.

Doing most of the damage was Rangers senior Maddy Jewett. Despite facing the best defenders LC could throw at her, the 5-foot-10 guard constantly drove to the hoop and hit jumpers, scoring 25 points heading into the fourth quarter.

But from the depths of despair and the possibility of the biggest upset in recent 1A tournament history, something incredible happened — at least if you were one of the stunned LC fans: the Lyncs played one of the greatest quarters in recent 1A tournament history.

And getting them started was the tiniest Lync, freshman guard Tyra Dykstra. The sharpshooter hit a seemingly futile 3-pointer to start the period, then a second one, and with the blue and white crowd screaming and the LC bench going bonkers, a third one.

“Tyra really got us going,” said Bomber. “She gave us some belief. We fed off her.”

Meanwhile, the Rangers who couldn’t miss or make a mistake the first three quarters were missing and making mistakes against the revitalized Lynden Christian defense.

After senior Danya Dykstra nailed a 3-pointer, her 5-foot-5 cousin Tyra sank her fourth 3-pointer of the period to erase all of the 16-point margin and tie the game with just over two minutes left in the game. Junior Estela Hernandez finished LC’s barrage of 3-pointers 20 seconds later, with a final bomb to give the Lyncs their first lead, 55-52, since it was 2-0 to start the game.

But it wasn’t quite over. Naches Valley’s Ellie Bost made a layup to make it a one-point game, but LC senior Allison Shumate sank a layup in traffic with five seconds left. The Rangers’ final heave wasn’t close and all that was left was to marvel at what had happened: the Lyncs had outscored Naches Valley, 24-5 in the final period.

Tyra Dykstra finished with a team-high 19 points, 17 of them coming in the second half, and the afternoon’s hero tied a career-high with five 3-pointers. Shumate had 12 points, Danya Dykstra added 8 points, and fellow senior Alisa Scott had 6.

Until the fourth-quarter blitz, LC had only three 3s and 33 points. The Lyncs even missed 10 of their 14 free throw attempts. But a sweet, comeback win can erase all the bad memories and stats.

“It feels amazing … the energy that came at the end,” Tyra Dykstra said of the enthusiastic crowd.

Of course, it won’t compare to the excitement of finally playing in the SunDome, where she’s watched her older brothers win state titles. The LC girls will be making their 39th state appearance and shooting for their 15th state championship.

“It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was little,” said Tyra.

Naches Valley (20-6) is still alive for a trophy and will join LC in the SunDome. But the Rangers will have to do it the hard way, facing two-time defending state champion Nooksack Valley in a loser-out game on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Lynden Christian 57, Naches Valley 54

Naches Valley 24 11 14 5—54

Lynden Christian 13 12 8 24—57

Naches Valley: Addi Vanwagoner, Emary Rowe, Emmaria Mendoza 5, Mia Staggs, Bella Rowe 5, Kaitlyn Van Hamburg, Finley Hahn-Keenan, Maddy Jewett 28, Ellie Bost 10, Denali St. Martin 6.

Lynden Christian: Danya Dykstra 8, Tyra Dykstra 19, Estela Hernandez 3, Ella Fritts 5, Alisa Scott 6, Allison Shumate 12, Sara Van Loo, Kayla Yun, Ellie Pierce, Jocelyn Eshuis 4.

CLASS 1A GIRLS DISTRICT 1/2 CROSSOVER

Saturday, Feb. 22

Nooksack Valley 65, Bear Creek 16 (winner to state regionals, loser out)

Lynden Christian 77, Granite Falls 6 (winner to state regionals, loser out)

CLASS 1A GIRLS STATE REGIONALS

Friday, Feb. 28

#4 King’s 59, #5 Annie Wright 37 (both to state tournament)

#2 Bellevue Christian 42, #7 Cashmere 39 (both to state tournament)

#11 Wapato 56, #14 King’s Way Christian 45 (winner to state tournament, loser out)

Saturday, March 1

#9 Nooksack Valley 64, #16 Hoquiam 42 (winner to state tournament, loser out)

#6 Seton Catholic 69, #3 Zillah 65 (both to state tournament)