2A Boys Regional: Lynden Continues Legacy With Big Win

The Lynden boys basketball team began its quest for a place in the record books by mauling Mark Morris, 70-50, in their Class 2A state regional on Saturday night, March 1.

And as the Lions go for their fourth straight state championship and aim to add their accomplishments to the century-long Lynden legacy, their coach isn’t worried about anything except their next game, which is Thursday morning in the Yakima SunDome.

“I can honestly tell you that we don’t think about that stuff or the legacy,” said Lynden coach Brian Roper, whose top-ranked Lions improved to 25-1. “We appreciate the guys that came before us. But we want these guys to have the best (state) experience they can.”

And if Saturday’s victory over eighth seed Mark Morris is any indication, the Lions will have a pretty good experience in the SunDome.

The first half was a defensive struggle between two disciplined and physical teams and exemplified what Roper called the “32-minute grind.” The Lions led 30-22 at intermission, but in the third quarter, the Lions turned it up a notch and the Monarchs couldn’t match Lynden’s depth.

Junior Spencer Adams got the Lions rolling with a pair of 3-pointers, senior Jack Stapleton got inside for a three-point play, freshman Jayden Navarre hit a 3-pointer, and Stapleton sank two free throws and suddenly the lead was 20 heading into the final quarter.

The Lions extended the margin to 27 before both teams emptied their benches and the Lynden fans began checking Wednesday’s weather forecast for Snoqualmie Pass.

“Our depth was a huge part of it,” Roper said of the victory. “You could feel the Mark Morris guys were getting tired. That’s the 32-minute grind.”

As usual, senior all-stater Brant Heppner led the Lions with 23 points, including three 3-pointers. He also had 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Joining him in double figures were Stapleton and junior Ty Jorgenson with 11 points each, and Adams with 10 points and his two 3s. Sophomore guards Gordy Bedlington and Malachi Koenen had 6 points each.

But what makes this Lynden team special is that despite have just two returning players with much varsity experience, they’ve continued Lynden’s tradition of physical defense and unselfish offense.

On Saturday, they outrebounded the Monarchs, 28-22, with Jorgenson’s 8 boards leading the way, and handed out 21 assists. Adams and Bedlington also had 4 assists each.

“They’re just as special,” Roper said of comparisons to past teams. “We have a saying: they come to beat us, we want to be us. It’s a whole new group of guys. It’s (seniors) Jack and Brant and last year’s JV team.”

As for the legacy, at least one Lion has no trouble joining his coach in keeping all the state titles and records in perspective.

“The Lynden legacy is not just about being a good player,” said Jorgenson. “It’s about being the best person I can be.”

Lynden now goes on to Thursday’s quarterfinals and will play at 10:30 a.m. against the winner of Wednesday’s loser-out game between Foster and Prosser.

“I’m really excited, really pumped,” said Jorgenson, who was on the state roster last year but saw little playing time. “It’s going to be so much more fun.”

Mark Morris, meanwhile, will move into the round of 12, where it will play a loser-out game on Wednesday at 2 p.m. against Sequim.

Lynden 70, Mark Morris 50

Mark Morris 11 11 15 13—50

Lynden 13 17 27 13—70

Mark Morris: Dalton Stevens 19, Drew Ibarreta 2, Tate Armstrong, Zane Armstrong 3, Evan Peters, Nathan Stephens 11, Mark Hendrickson 3, Jadyn Brooks 5, Carson Bogner 5, Mac West 2.

Lynden: Jayden Navarre 3, Gordy Bedlington 6, Brody Price, Malachi Bowman, James Ellis, Markus Koenen, Malachi Koenen 6, Charlie Broersma, Jack Stapleton 11, Ty Jorgenson 11, Brant Heppner 23, Spencer Adams 10.

CLASS 2A BOYS STATE REGIONALS

Friday, Feb. 28

#9 Sequim 44, #16 Lindbergh 36 (winner to state tournament, loser out)

#12 Franklin Pierce 47, #13 Bainbridge 41 (winner to state tournament, loser out)

Saturday, March 1

#11 Columbia River 94, #14 Renton 63 (winner to state tournament, loser out)

#1 Lynden 70, #8 Mark Morris 50 (both to state tournament)

#2 R.A. Long 63, #7 Foster 44 (both to state tournament)

#3 Bremerton 62, #6 Lakewood 44 (both to state tournament)

#5 Selah 71, #4 West Valley (Spokane) 47 (both to state tournament)

#10 Prosser 83, #15 Ridgefield 57 (winner to state tournament, loser out)

CLASS 2A BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT