While the Lynden Christian and Nooksack Valley girls basketball teams will be in somewhat different positions than in the recent past, their opponents in Saturday’s state regionals will really be in completely new situations.
The Lyncs, who have dominated the Class 1A state tournament for nearly 50 years, are coming off a third-place state finish after playing in the previous five state finals. This year, they are returning as the tournament’s top seed.
Meanwhile, the Pioneers are coming off two straight state championships, continuing Whatcom County’s streak of four straight state titles and nine straight finals. But this year, they find themselves in an unusual position — the ninth seed playing in a loser-out contest.
Both teams begin this year’s state journeys Saturday in the familiar confines of Mount Vernon High School’s gym. Nooksack Valley opens the five-game extravaganza at noon against 16th seed Hoquiam, and Lynden Christian will follow against eighth seed Naches Valley at 2 p.m.
For stories, quotes, and photos from all the regional games involving Whatcom teams, check out Whatcom Hoops Saturday and Sunday morning.
If the Lyncs and Pioneers are in unfamiliar water, then the Grizzlies and Rangers are in almost uncharted depths.
Hoquiam has played at state only four times in the 21st century and only once since 2013, losing its regional contest two years ago. The Grizzlies have never won a state trophy even when they went to 3A state six times in the 1980s.
Compare that to Nooksack Valley, which is making its 25th state appearance and has 14 top-eight finishes.
Naches Valley, meanwhile, hasn’t been to state since 2015. Lynden Christian, on the other hand, has been to Yakima all nine times since then, collecting nine trophies, being in the finals six times, and winning it all four times.
Of course, history doesn’t count on the scoreboard. Still, Hoquiam, the third-place finisher from Southwest Washington’s District 4, and Naches, the third-place finisher out of Yakima’s District 5, will have their work cut out for them.
Lynden Christian is 20-3, its only losses to 2A No.1 Lynden, 3A No.3 White River, and 4A No.10 Issaquah. And Nooksack Valley, despite graduating four all-stars off its back-to-back state championship team, finished fourth in the ultra-competitive Northwest Conference, its only three losses in its past 11 games coming to LC or Lynden.
With their top-eight seeding, the Lyncs have already clinched a trip to Yakima’s SunDome. A win Saturday would move them into Thursday’s quarterfinals.
The Pioneers, however, will need to win Saturday to continue their season in Yakima. With a victory, they would advance to another loser-out game on Wednesday and would have to win that to head into the quarterfinals and the double-elimination portion of the tournament.
Here’s a look at both Whatcom teams and their 1A regional games:
Coach Shane Wichers and the Pioneers haven’t lost at state in two years.
#9 NOOKSACK VALLEY (16-8) vs. #16 HOQUIAM (15-8)
Saturday, noon, at Mount Vernon High School
If Pioneers win: Play Lynden Christian-Naches Valley loser in a loser-out game on Wednesday, March 5, 2 p.m.
If Pioneers lose: Their season is over.
Regional outlook: Although they are a new group, the Pioneers still have state tournament experience with senior Kate Shintaffer, and juniors Grace DeHoog, Payton Bartl, and Chayleigh Davis. They will have to contend with a Grizzlies squad dependent on the inside play of 5-foot-9 bruisers freshman Aaliyah Kennedy and junior Sydney Gordon. Of course, the Grizzlies will have to contend with the 6-foot-2 DeHoog not to mention Nooksack’s pressure defense and array of shooters. Look for the Pioneers to return to Yakima to defend their title.
State preview: Unlike the recent past when 1A powerhouses from Nooksack Valley, Lynden Christian, LaSalle, and Cashmere were among the best teams in the state regardless of classification, there is more parity this year. That means more opportunities for upsets and new names earning trophies. Still the Lyncs are the favorites with No.2 Bellevue Christian, No.3 Zillah, and No.4 King’s looking to break up the Whatcom stranglehold on state titles. And don’t forget Nooksack Valley, which is not going to be intimidated by any of the contenders.
Coach Shane Wichers: “This will be our third (straight) loser-out game. The kids know (there is pressure). We have four kids who have been there for multiple years. They’ve felt the pressure; they’ve been in the big games. The younger kids will follow them. Obviously, it’s way different than the last couple of years when we were expecting to play for a title. This year, there’s been a different type of pressure — can we grow and reach our potential? It’s been a way different challenge and a fun challenge.”
Coach Brady Bomber has the Lyncs as state favorites again.
#1 LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (20-3) vs. #8 NACHES VALLEY (20-5)
Saturday, 2 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School
If Lyncs win: Play in quarterfinals on Thursday, March 6, 10:30 a.m.
If Lyncs lose: Play Nooksack Valley-Hoquiam winner in loser-out game on Wednesday, March 5, 2 p.m.
Regional outlook: It will be the usual clash of styles between a dangerous run-and-gun Yakima Valley squad led by senior guard Ellie Bost and a talented tall-and-deep Whatcom County team led by their own all-stars, junior guard Ella Fritts and senior post Allison Shumate. Besides state experience, the biggest difference might be competition — LC has played some of the best teams in the state, including runners and gunners, while Naches won’t have played anyone like Lynden Christian and especially not in a big game in a foreign gym 250 miles away from friendly Yakima fans.
State preview: It’s easy and almost lazy to pencil the Lyncs in as state favorites, but this year’s LC edition deserves it. Despite losing an all-state player and another key senior to season-ending injuries, they’ve used depth, defense, and 3-point shooting to overwhelm even much bigger schools. But with no all-state superstars for a change, they’ll need a team effort to get past other teams with shining records like Bellevue Christian and Zillah, and teams with state history like King’s and Nooksack Valley.
Coach Brady Bomber: “I’ve been proud of our team for improving through the season, learning from both success and adversity. We’re just grateful to keep playing. A lot of these kids have had dreams of playing in the SunDome Friday and Saturday night, but we know there’s a lot of good teams. We can play with anybody, but there are a lot of teams that can beat us.”
CLASS 1A GIRLS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 28
#5 Annie Wright (19-5) vs. #4 King’s (17-7) at Bellevue CC, 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#7 Cashmere (17-7) vs. #2 Bellevue Christian (21-2) at Issaquah HS, 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#11 King’s Way Christian (16-5) vs. #11 Wapato (14-10) at Davis HS, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Saturday, March 1
#16 Hoquiam (15-8) vs. #9 Nooksack Valley (16-8) at Mount Vernon HS, noon (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#6 Seton Catholic (18-6) vs. #3 Zillah (20-3) at Davis HS, noon (both to state tournament)
#8 Naches Valley (20-5) vs. #1 Lynden Christian (20-3) at Mount Vernon HS, 2 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#15 Bush (15-3) vs. #10 Montesano (17-7) at W.F. West HS, 2 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#13 Lakeside (9 Mile) (13-8) vs. #12 Cedar Park Christian (Bothell) (16-7) at Bellevue CC, 4 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
