The Lynden boys and girls basketball teams come into the Class 2A state tournaments in the same place as they left Yakima last March — as No.1.
The top-ranked Lions will begin defense of their state championships in Mount Vernon High School on Saturday, when the boys take on Mark Morris at 6 p.m. and the girls face Bainbridge at 8 p.m. in regional contests.
For stories, quotes, and photos from all the regional games involving Whatcom teams, check out Whatcom Hoops Saturday and Sunday morning.
The Lions and the Monarchs from Longview have been perennial participants in the Class 2A boys state tourney, having both appeared 14 times, the most of any schools. Before that, Lynden dominated the 1A ranks winning state four times and Mark Morris was the class of the 3A field, winning state three times in the 1970s and ‘80s.
So it’s no surprise that they’ve met a few times, the most recent being in the state final two years ago when Lynden beat the Monarchs, 61-43, in the championship game.
Of course, Lynden has beaten a lot of teams recently. The Lions have won the past three state titles, five of the past six, and seven since 2007. Perhaps just as remarkable, since 2012, Lynden has placed third or higher in all but one of the 12 tournaments.
Oh, by the way, the team that knocked them out in that one tournament was Mark Morris in 2015.
While the Lynden and Mark Morris boys have a lot of history both on the court and in the record books, the Lynden girls have never played Bainbridge, at least not in a playoff contest. In fact, when it comes to history, the Lynden and Bainbridge girls are on opposite ends of the record books.
Last year, the Lions won their fourth 2A girls state crown since 2009, ending Ellensburg’s two-year reign and 75-game winning streak in the championship game.
The Spartans, on the other hand, will be making their first state appearance since 2008 and shooting for their first trophy since 2004. But that was in the 3A state tournament and, in the 20th century, Bainbridge was a powerhouse, earning seven trophies in eight appearances, including three state championships.
But now is now, and the Lions are undefeated and will be heavily favored against the Spartans, who were upset in their District 3 championship game and have lost by 20 or more points to three teams Lynden soundly defeated (Lynden Christian, Archbishop Murphy, and Issaquah).
But winning back-to-back state titles for the first time in school history won’t be easy for the Lions. In their way stand undefeated Ellensburg, whose new win streak is up to 24; undefeated Deer Park, whose only loss in the past two seasons was to Nooksack Valley in last year’s 1A state final by two points; and W.F. West, whose only loss this season came to a good 4A team in a controversial ending.
Fortunately for both Lynden teams, by virtue of their top-eight seeding, they are guaranteed spots in the 1A state tournaments in the Yakima SunDome regardless of the outcome of the regional games.
Should they win Saturday, they would advance into the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 6. Should either lose in regionals, they would have to win a loser-out game on Wednesday, March 5, to move on to Thursday’s quarterfinals and the double-elimination portion of the tournament.
Here’s a look at both Lynden teams and their regional games:
Coach Brian Roper has the Lions on an historic state run.
2A BOYS
#1 LYNDEN (24-1) vs. #8 MARK MORRIS (20-4)
Saturday, 6 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School
If Lions win: Play in quarterfinals on Thursday, March 6, 10:30 a.m.
If Lions lose: Play Lindbergh-Sequim winner in loser-out game on Wednesday, March 5, 2 p.m.
Regional outlook: Led by league co-MVP Dalton Stevens, Mark Morris isn’t big but is disciplined, tough, and experienced with four senior starters. Three of its four losses were to R.A. Long, another title contender. Still, they’ll have a hard time matching up with Lynden’s tall lineup and especially Lynden’s own senior standouts, Brant Heppner and Jack Stapleton. The key will be how well Lynden’s young guards (two sophomores and a freshman) handle the bright lights, but so far this season, they’ve passed with flying colors.
State preview: While the three-time defending state champs are chasing history — only one boys team has ever won four state titles in a row — they know the rest of the state is chasing them starting with the Monarchs, who won’t be intimidated. Contenders include but are not limited to R.A. Long and West Valley (Spokane) with their sparkling records, ultra-talented Bremerton, Selah with its Yakima Valley swagger, and Lakewood, the only team to beat the Lions. Don’t be surprised if there are lots of close games and upsets.
Coach Brian Roper: “I’m proud of our guys for the year we’ve had to this point … especially of how coachable they’ve been, and how they’ve grown a lot and played for each other. For us it’s about the leadership of Heppner and Stapleton. These guys did a great job bringing the younger guys along. The tournament is very balanced; one through eight, any of those teams can beat each other on a given night. After being almost eliminated (at district), we’re just excited to still be playing. We like challenges like this.”
CLASS 2A BOYS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 28
#16 Lindbergh (14-10) vs. #9 Sequim (19-4) at University of Puget Sound, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#13 Bainbridge (18-5) vs. #12 Franklin Pierce (19-4) at University of Puget Sound, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Saturday, March 1
#14 Renton (7-15) vs. #11 Columbia River (18-5) at Mark Morris HS, 4 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#8 Mark Morris (20-4) vs. #1 Lynden (24-1) at Mount Vernon HS, 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#7 Foster (18-7) vs. #2 R.A. Long (22-1) at Mark Morris HS, 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#6 Lakewood (18-6) vs. #3 Bremerton (18-5) at University of Puget Sound, 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#5 Selah (19-4) at #4 West Valley (Spokane) (20-3), 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#15 Ridgefield (15-8) vs. #10 Prosser (21-7) at Richland HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Coach Rob Adams wants the Lions playing their best in their final four games.
2A GIRLS
#1 LYNDEN (24-0) vs. #8 BAINBRIDGE (19-5)
Saturday, 8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School
If Lions win: Play in quarterfinals on Thursday, March 6, 5:30 p.m.
If Lions lose: Play Woodland-Sultan winner in loser-out game on Wednesday, March 5, 9 p.m.
Regional outlook: Despite playing an extremely difficult schedule, the Lions have played like state champs from the season’s tipoff to their dominating district run with no opponent finishing closer than 15 points. They have two of the state’s best in sophomore Finley Parcher and junior Payton Mills, but what sets them apart is athletic pieces at every position — and not just starters but a bench that may not be as talented offensively but is just as effective defensively. It’s almost a given that Lynden will hold every opponent to its lowest point total of the season, and even though Bainbridge has some firepower thanks to standout guard Bella Ramirez, it would be the upset of the tournament if the Lions lost.
State preview: There are only four undefeated girls teams in the state (and no boys teams) and three of them are in the 2A tournament. Add to that another four dangerous squads with four or fewer losses and you could have one of the most competitive fields in any classification in many years. The Lions have the talent, experience, and toughness to win it all, but so do several other teams. The regionals matching the top eight seeds could shake things up even before teams get to Yakima. The only thing that is for certain is that whoever wins the 2A state title will have earned it on the court.
Coach Rob Adams: “We’re trending in the right direction. Every team battles through some adversity (in the regular season), but we’re healthy and we’re excited. Any time you get to the sweet 16, it’s just survive and advance. In my 15 years at Lynden, this will be by far the deepest and best tournament. There are six teams that are all capable of winning the state title and those top six teams in 2A, they would all place high in any classification. It could be one unbelievable tournament.”
CLASS 2A GIRLS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 28
#7 Columbia River (20-3) at #2 Ellensburg (24-0), 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#14 Ridgefield (11-12) vs. #11 Eatonville (21-4) at Mount Tahoma HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#6 Prosser (21-4) vs. #3 Deer Park (23-0) at West Valley (Spokane) HS, 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#13 Renton (6-18) vs. #12 North Mason (15-8) at Mount Tahoma HS, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Saturday, March 1
#15 Cedarcrest (17-7) vs. #10 Port Angeles (17-6) at University of Puget Sound, 10 a.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#16 Sultan (14-9) vs. #9 Woodland (17-4) at Mark Morris HS, 2 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#5 Archbishop Murphy (22-2) at #4 W.F. West (23-1), 4 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#8 Bainbridge (19-5) vs. #1 Lynden (24-0) at Mount Vernon HS, 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
