Before the state tournaments get going and all our players, coaches and teams get all the attention they deserve, it’s a good time to recognize some of the other people who make Whatcom County high school basketball a great experience.
First of all, there are all the helpful school staffs that keep everything running smoothly — our hard-working athletic directors, athletic trainers and medical staff, and the teachers, principals and superintendents who watch over everything. And let’s not forget the custodians who clean up all our messes.
Then there are all the volunteers who take care of all the little details that most of us forget about — the scorekeepers and statisticians, the video tapers/recorders, the ticket takers, the people who produce the programs, the concession stand workers, and any others we’ve forgotten.
Then, of course, there are the students who never dribble a ball or take a shot but who often practice just as hard as the players — the cheer staffs, mascots and flag wavers, team managers, band members, and dance/drill team members.
Most of all, it is you — the fans — who make Whatcom County boys and girls basketball special. Let’s keep cheering on all our teams — from all our schools — because they deserve it.
And for your enjoyment, here are some of our favorite photos from this season.
All the cheer squads were great, but it was nice seeing the Lynden and LC cheerleaders flying together.
Some of the most emotional moments of the season were on Coaches vs. Cancer nights when survivors such as Sally Gallegos (left) and Lisa DiLorenzo were honored.
There’s no hospitality like Lummi Nation hospitality where tribal elder “Uncle Smitty” and Aunt Luty Hillaire and their family greet everybody before the game.
Every band has drummers, but only the Meridian band has a meerkat mascot.
Thanh and Cookie Le are big fans of their son, Ferndale senior Sean Le.
Something else you don’t see often: the impressive Bellingham drummer … drumming upside down.
On a night of competition between Bellingham and Sehome, it was really cool to see their dance teams do a routine together.
The synchronized Lynden cheerleaders doing their “jump” cheer in unison.
OK, we weren’t going to put any pictures of players, but it’s nice when the mother of Squalicum’s Spencer Lloyd (right) wants one more picture of her son and his good friend Noah Martin.
I still don’t know why, but it was crazy shoe night when the Nooksack Valley boys played Meridian.
Hey, you can’t forget the refs. It wouldn’t be a game without them.
We saw a lot of bands this season, but only one violin player. Way to add some class, Lynden.
And one just for fun: While husband Dan Kaemingk is seriously calling the game on the radio, our friend Melinda Kaemingk is, well, not watching the game.
Lynden athletic director Mike McKee isn’t afraid to bang the drum for the Lions.
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Author Jim Carberry is a former Bellingham Herald sports editor and author of several books on Whatcom County prep basketball. Follow him on Twitter @whatcomhoops and visit the Whatcom Hoops Facebook page.
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