Addison’s Story: Squalicum Freshman Inspires Others

Whatcom Hoops December-9-2023
Squalicum freshman Addison Kettman (Photo courtesy of Bellingham School District)

Like most high school freshmen, Addison Kettman doesn’t want to be different. But she is and not just because she plays basketball with an artificial limb. The 15-year-old Squalicum student not only made the varsity team but is among the first players off the bench for the Storm. She’s played in all but one quarter … Read more

Aggressive Blaine Girls Take Down Bellingham

Whatcom Hoops December-6-2023
Blaine's Teia Dube (left) and Kaitlyn Ritter Von Trautmann battle Bellingham's Mary Lockhart for a rebound.

To the victor go the spoils, the saying goes, but in high school basketball, the spoils often go to the aggressive, which the Blaine girls proved by beating Bellingham, 53-30, in both teams’ Northwest Conference opener on Tuesday night, Dec. 5. The veteran Borderites used their pressure defense to force the young Bayhawks into too … Read more

Sehome Girls, Boys Sweep Squalicum In Exciting Fashion

Whatcom Hoops December-5-2023
Even the Sehome boys watch Madi Cooper's 3-point shot.

The Sehome girls and boys basketball teams got the wins in Monday’s doubleheader with visiting Squalicum, but the coaches agreed that it was a good night for all four of their teams. In the first game, the Squalicum girls scored the first seven points of the game, but the Mariners rallied behind their defense and … Read more

Whatcom Hoops: Boys Week 1 Recap (Nov. 27-Dec. 3)

Whatcom Hoops December-3-2023
Blaine's Josiah Weeda was one of three players to score 29 points in a game last week.

Ten of our 11 Whatcom County boys basketball teams started their season last week with the only exception being Nooksack Valley thanks to the Pioneers’ extended — and very successful — football season. Defending state champions Lynden (2A) and Lynden Christian (1A) opened with impressive victories but the only other teams that escaped the first … Read more

Whatcom Hoops: Girls Week 1 Recap (Nov. 27-Dec. 3)

Whatcom Hoops November-28-2023
Natalie Van Liew averaged 20 points in Mount Baker's three victories.

Two Whatcom County girls basketball teams that many expect to be in the hunt for state titles — Nooksack Valley and Lynden — started their seasons off with a pair of impressive victories each last week, but the hottest start to the season was pulled off by the Mount Baker girls. The Mounties, who only … Read more

Blaine Boys Learn Lessons In First Loss

Whatcom Hoops December-3-2023
Noah Tavis helps drive Blaine to an early lead.

The inexperienced Blaine boys basketball team learned some valuable lessons in its 59-46 non-league loss to visiting Archbishop Murphy on Saturday night, Dec. 2. “We learned we have a group of guys who don’t quit,” said Blaine coach Nate Sullivan, whose squad fell to 1-1. “They just kept playing. I was proud of them.” Having … Read more

It’s Official: We Still Need More Referees (So Please Help)

Whatcom Hoops November-30-2023
Dave Zylstra is making the call — for new officials to join him.

As our new high school basketball season tips off this week, Whatcom County will not lack for great players and successful teams. But there is something we are lacking: officials. Across the nation there has been an unfortunate decline in the number of basketball officials over the past couple of years. Before COVID hit in … Read more

Welcome Four New (Sort Of) Varsity Head Coaches

Whatcom Hoops November-29-2023
Luke DuChesne gets his point across to the Golden Eagles.

There are four new head coaches among our 22 Whatcom County varsity teams this season, but two of them are hardly new to the Northwest Conference and the other two may be new to head coaching but not to Whatcom hoops. Rob Adams is back on the bench for the Lynden girls, who he previously … Read more

Mount Baker Girls, Boys Split Opening Doubleheader

Whatcom Hoops November-28-2023
Violet Fox and Rhonda Madera helped the Mounties win Monday's opener.

The Mount Baker girls and boys tipped off the 2023-24 basketball season on Monday, Nov. 27, and although they were at different ends of the scoreboard, both young squads had a lot to be happy about in their home doubleheader against Coupeville. The Baker girls held the Wolves to single digits in each quarter in … Read more

Boys Preview: Lynden, LC Favorites In Competitive NWC

Whatcom Hoops November-26-2023
Expect another NWC dogfight with LC's Wright and Lynden's Heppner (22), Canales (21), and Elsner in the thick of it.

Can Whatcom County continue its amazing run of boys basketball success? Last season, Lynden and Lynden Christian repeated as state champions, Blaine placed third at state, and Sehome and Lummi Nation made it to state. If it is to be another great March for Whatcom teams, expect the usual suspects to be in the postseason … Read more