The Lynden Christian boys basketball team saw its 25-game winning streak come to an end, but it took one of the state’s best players having one of his best games to do it.
Anacortes guard Davis Fogle had 43 points as the visiting Seahawks pulled away from the Lyncs, 78-66, to knock LC out of first place in the Northwest Conference on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 13.
The loss was Lynden Christian’s first since losing to Sehome almost exactly a year ago and left the Lyncs with a 13-1 record and a 7-1 mark in the NWC. Since that last loss, LC went on to win its second straight Class 1A state title last March and is still ranked second in the state’s latest RPI rankings.
“Going forward, it doesn’t change anything,” said LC coach Tim Zylstra of the loss to fifth-ranked Class 2A Anacortes (11-3 overall, 7-2 in NWC). “Our goal isn’t to go undefeated. It’s to get better every day.”
Unfortunately for the Lyncs, their best on Saturday was not good enough to stop Fogle. The state’s top junior and top Class 2A player — and perhaps the best player regardless of year and classification — was unstoppable despite LC’s best efforts.
The Lyncs used matchup zones, their best individual defenders in man-to-man defenses, double teams, traps … everything but sneaking a sixth player on the court. Yet despite being the center of LC’s defensive attention and even though everyone in the full gym knew who was taking the shot, the lanky 6-foot-6 guard still went off.
After a slow start — he only had a 3-pointer in a crazy 19-19 first quarter — Fogle warmed up with nine points in the second quarter, which ended with the Lyncs leading by five. But then came the second half and — BOOM! — the fireworks started.
He drove to the hoop, hit pull up jumpers, and sank four more deep 3 to score 17 points in the third quarter and 14 more in the fourth.
“It felt like everything he was putting up he was making,” said Zylstra.
The Lyncs did not go down easily though. After the back-and-forth first quarter, LC ran off eight straight points to lead 33-24 midway through the second period. A dunk just before the halftime buzzer by Kayden Stuit gave the Lyncs their five-point lead going into intermission.
And even with Fogle scoring 17 straight Anacortes points in the third quarter to give the Seahawks back the lead, LC only trailed 65-63 with three minutes to go in the game.
But Fogle finished off LC with more two baskets, two free throws, and a 3-pointer. The Lyncs’ desperation 3-point attempts didn’t connect, which led to the deceiving final margin. It also didn’t help that Anacortes was 12 of 15 from the line for the game, while LC was only 3 of 4 with two of those free throws coming on a technical foul.
Lynden Christian’s backcourt of senior Dawson Bouma and junior Gannon Dykstra did their best, scoring 20 and 16 points, respectively, and hitting two 3-pointers each, all the while dealing with Anacortes’ fullcourt press.
“Our guards played their hearts out,” said Zylstra.
The LC big men also did their part with seniors Jeremiah Wright and Stuit, who was playing with a bad sprain, finishing with 13 and 12 points, respectively. But with two players, including a potential starter, out with injuries and a third missing for a personal trip, the Lyncs’ thin bench only provided five points and limited rest for the starters.
It showed mostly on defense where the tired Lyncs gave up 48 points in the second half and allowed their highest point total of the season. Of course, there was a big reason — a 6-foot-6 reason — for that.
“We’ll file this one going forward,” said Zylstra. “It’ll be good for us. (But) I’m not sure we’ll face anyone like Davis.” He paused before adding, “I hope not.”
Lynden Christian’s next action is Monday when they host Oak Harbor before traveling to Sehome on Thursday. Anacortes will get a crack at the Mariners first when they host Sehome on Tuesday.
Anacortes 78, Lynden Christian 66
Anacortes 19 11 23 25—78
Lynden Christian 19 16 14 17—66
Anacortes: Swap, Wiloughby, Fogle 43, Moore 3, Andrew 9, Barton 8, Miller 2, Morgenthaler 2, Dickinson 11.
Lynden Christian: Bouma 20, Dykstra 16, Howell, VanKooten 3, Veldman 2, Wright 13, Stuit 12.
