1A Girls State: LC Falls In Semis, To Play For Third Place

Oh, a difference 24 hours makes.

The Lynden Christian girls basketball team found that out when just a day after reaching the season’s high point — at least so far — the Lyncs came crashing down in a 53-44 loss to Zillah in the Class 1A state semifinals Friday night in the Yakima Valley SunDome.

The loss puts LC in the consolation final against Royal on Saturday at 1 p.m. The winner will take third place and the loser fifth.

“The third-place game … it’s a culture game,” said Sara Van Loo, one of three Lynden Christian seniors. “Your culture is defined when adversity comes. We’ll go out with as much energy and pride as we can.”

For coverage of all of our Whatcom teams’ state games, click on State Games.

Unfortunately, on Friday night, the Lyncs found out they had more pride than energy. That’s because they were coming off Thursday night’s late game, an exhausting two-overtime victory over Annie Wright that taxed Lynden Christian physically, mentally, and emotionally.

And the No.2-ranked Leopards were more than willing to take advantage. After LC scored the first eight points of the game, Zillah used a physical defense, fast-pace offense, and some timely shooting to take a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

With the Lyncs struggling on offense, they fell behind by nine heading into the fourth quarter thanks to another Zillah 3-pointer just before the buzzer. LC managed to hit some shots late in the final period but never got within striking distance.

“Our girls played hard, but we couldn’t get it going,” said Lynden Christian coach Brady Bomber, whose third-seeded squad fell to 23-4. “We had to use a lot of gas (on Thursday). They hit big shot after big shot. Certain moments were critical and they converted. When you make mistakes, they make you pay.”

Providing most of Lynden Christian’s offense was sophomore guard Tyra Dykstra, who went off for 21 points, including three 3-pointers. Senior Ella Fritts had 11 points, and junior post Jocelyn Eshuis had 6 points, but no other Lync had more than two points.

Eshuis had 12 rebounds and freshman Jessica DeJong had 7 boards.

Zillah will now go on to play top seed King’s for the state championship Saturday night. The Lyncs, meanwhile, will be shooting for third place, although both Bomber and Van Loo said there was more to Saturday than just collecting a trophy for the 21st straight year.

“We try to pride ourselves on not being outcome-based,” said Bomber noting the relationships the girls made and their influence on the school and community were what was really important. “No matter what time you play (on Saturday), it’s all over tomorrow. We want to finish well.”

Said Van Loo: “It’s a great team. We all love each other. We worked really hard to get where we are.”

Zillah 53, Lynden Christian 44

Lynden Christian 13 8 9 14—44

Zillah 16 6 17 14—53

Lynden Christian: Fritts 11, T. Dykstra 21, Eshuis 6, Hernandez, D. Dykstra 2, Van Loo 2, Pierce, DeJong 2.

Zillah: Flander 16, Johnston 13, Favilla, Cantu, Waldman, Buck 12, Valadez 3, Creeley, Klitzke 9.

CLASS 1A GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT

At Yakima SunDome

Wednesday, March 4

Bellevue Christian 68, Wapato 51 (loser out)

Seton Catholic 35, Cascade Christian 33 (loser out)

Annie Wright 47, Montesano 33 (loser out)