With most of Whatcom County’s boys basketball teams hit hard by either graduation, injury, or both, it may come as no surprise that the favorites are the usual suspects — Lynden, Lynden Christian, and Lummi Nation.
Last season, the Lions swept through the Northwest Conference undefeated before faltering in Yakima, Lynden Christian reached the Class 1A state title game, and Lummi Nation did that one better by winning the Class 1B state championship.
And all three return most of their squads, including several all-state level starters. So you can pencil in the Lions and Lyncs as favorites in the NWC and serious state contenders and expect the Blackhawks to once again run roughshod over the Northwest 1B League and be favored to defend their state crown.
However, most of the other eight Whatcom teams won’t have the luxury of experienced veterans and returning all-star starters.
Besides Sehome, which could be one of the most improved teams with a bunch of returnees and everyone healthy for a change, most of the others had to say good-bye to talented senior classes and to starters suffering serious football injuries.
Of course, when given the opportunity, new and inexperienced players often become the next group of talented stars. So stay tuned, and expect all 11 of our teams to make their schools and communities proud by season’s end.
Here’s a look at each of the teams:
For a preview of this season’s changes, check out New Changes Ahead.
For the girls preview, check out Girls Preview.
Bellingham Bayhawks
Last season: 8-14 overall, 6-9 in Northwest Conference (tied for 11th)
Top returnees: Joe Harward (Sr.), Calvin Van Hofwegen (Jr.), Barrett Johnson (Sr.), Cyrus Campos (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Kai Loveland (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bayhawks graduated a half-dozen veterans from last year’s up-and-down squad and then lost starting point guard Myllo Wright to a season-ending football injury. Fortunately, they return scoring machine Harward and valuable sixth-man Van Hofwegen. Look for Bellingham to be feisty and guard-oriented again, but the Bayhawks’ success will depend on how well the inexperienced players adjust to the tough NWC.
Coach Brad McKay’s quote: “Last year’s team could really score, but we often needed to to have a chance to win. This year, we will have to become better defenders if we are going to win games in our league. It will be fun to watch this team grow into their roles and compete. I look forward to spending time in the gym with these guys.”
Blaine Borderites
Last season: 3-18 overall, 0-15 in NWC (16th)
Top returnees: Kai Kerwin (Sr.), Landon Melton (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Dawson Dohner (Jr.)
Outlook: The Borderites graduated four key seniors, including two all-county players, but return starter Kerwin at guard and one of the league’s most improved players in Melton around the hoop. What will make Blaine dangerous is its disciplined offense and help defense featuring a deep group of solid athletes who trust in each other.
Coach Chas Kok’s quote: “I think we can be a bit of a dark horse in our league because of our systems and our buy-in this year to those systems. I think the size of this team when healthy also gives our staff the opportunity to be extremely creative since this is year two of those systems. I’m really looking forward to our second year because it’s the year where you can really see the basketball improve physically, but more so mentally. I think if we commit to moving the basketball freely and letting the ball find the best areas to score, we could have a strong season.”
Ferndale Golden Eagles
Last season: 10-9 overall, 8-6 in NWC (seventh)
Top returnees: Mantaj Singh (Sr.), Cooper Vincent (Sr.), Kaveer Dhillon (Sr.), Houston Wills (So.)
Top newcomers: Tracen Pazaski (So.), Luke Baader (Jr.), Blake Singson (Jr.), Trey Munson (So.), Nolan Boleak (Sr.)
Outlook: With the talented Class of 2025 having graduated, Ferndale will have to rebuild behind Singh, a smooth wing who can score inside and outside, and athletic defenders Vincent and Dhillon in the backcourt. The Golden Eagles won’t be as explosive or experienced as in the past, but they’ll be deep and will once again bring defensive energy on every possession. Expect them to be more dangerous as the season progresses.
Coach Luke DuChesne’s quote: “The Golden Eagles have Mantaj Singh coming back for his senior year and he is looking to take a big leap forward. His supporting cast, led by Cooper Vincent and Kaveer Dhillon, want to make their mark too. Our team is the youngest since I have been here, but they will compete and play hard every night.”
Lummi Nation Blackhawks
Last season: 26-3 overall, 5-0 in Northwest 1B League (first), Class 1B state champion
Top returnees: Jerome Toby Jr. (Sr.), Dyson Edwards (Jr.), Deandre James (Jr.), Landon LaFontaine (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Chaycee Waite-Keller (Sr.), Isaiah Yrizarris (Sr.)
Outlook: Looking back, the Blackhawks’ run to the state title was even more amazing considering they had one junior and three sophomore starters. With Edwards, James, LaFontaine and 1B player of the year and point guard extraordinaire Toby all returning, Lummi Nation figured to be a state favorite again — and that was before talented 6-foot-8 center Waite-Keller, a Central Washington University commit, transferred in. But don’t worry about the Blackhawks getting over-confident; not with a non-league schedule that includes Lynden Christian, Sehome, Lakewood, and Mount Vernon.
Coach Jerome Toby’s quote: “Our boys are focused on working each day to get better. No one is talking repeat, just improving each day. We have put together a very challenging non-league schedule for our team and want to play up to our potential.”
Lynden Lions
Last season: 25-3 overall, 15-0 in NWC (first), Class 2A state appearance
Top returnees: Spencer Adams (Sr.), Ty Jorgenson (Sr.), Gordy Bedlington (Jr.), Malachi Koenen (Jr.), Jayden Navarre (So.), Brody Price (Sr.)
Top newcomers: James Ellis (Sr.), Charlie Broersma (Sr.), Reed Smith (So.), Lewis Whitney (Jr.), Markus Koenen (So.)
Outlook: Going undefeated in the NWC last season was a surprise since it was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Lions. Missing out on a state trophy was disappointing after three straight 2A state titles, but it makes this year’s Lions hungrier and that much more experienced. Replacing all-stater Brant Heppner is impossible, but this squad could be even better by season’s end thanks to senior leaders Adams and Jorgenson, an aggressive backcourt led by Bedlington and Malachi Koenen, and some talented newcomers who are expected to make an immediate impact.
Coach Brian Roper’s quote: “This Lynden team embraces old-school toughness. They have the potential to be one of our better rebounding and defensive teams, and the coaches are excited to see what they can become.”
Lynden Christian Lyncs
Last season: 24-3 overall, 13-1 in NWC, Class 1A second at state
Top returnees: Boyce Robertson (Sr.), Dawson Hintz (Jr.), Kaden Veldman (Jr.), Gunnar Dykstra (Jr.), Harvest Howell (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Hayden Herwerden (Sr.), Chris Kooiman (Jr.), Wyatt Kamphouse (Jr.), James Vos (Jr.)
Outlook: The Lyncs graduated three key players from last year’s state runner-up squad, including one of LC’s all-time guards in Gannon Dykstra. But the Lyncs figure to remain among best in the 1A ranks thanks to all-state guard Hintz and two of the league’s best in big man Veldman and sharpshooter Gunnar Dykstra. Expect a slow start because almost the entire varsity team is still involved in the football playoffs, but once they are at full strength, expect their athletic, pressure game to lift them into the 1A elite.
Coach Tim Zylstra’s quote: “Our commitment and work ethic begins with each practice. We have to make the most of our practice time together and get better each day. It’s a whole new year, and we have to set our standards high, to see where we can go.”
Meridian Trojans
Last season: 20-9 overall, 10-5 in NWC (tied for fourth), Class 1A fourth in state
Top returnees: Pierce Brzozowski (Jr.), Trey Alexander (Jr.), Nate Payne (Jr.), Matt Blankenburg (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Daniel Larsen (Sr.), Damion Hayes (Sr.), Gabe Galbraith (Jr.)
Outlook: After last season’s memorable fourth-place finish at state, Meridian was one of the NWC teams hit hardest by graduation, losing not only two all-staters but most of its height. This version of the Trojans may not look familiar or have as much firepower, but you can count on them being just as aggressive on defense with veterans Brzozowski and Alexander leading the way. The key will be how well the newcomers adjust to their new roles.
Coach Shane Stacy’s quote: “As usual, there will be no nights off in this league. We have a group of hard-working kids who are eager to get better. I’m excited to see how much progress they make in the next few months.”
Mount Baker Mounties
Last season: 9-14 overall, 3-12 in NWC (tied for 13th)
Top returnees: Jordan Bailey (Sr.), Kell Reardon (Jr.), Peyten Abitia (Sr.), Jet Ross (Sr.), Carter Hill (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Gage Smith (Jr.), Noah Nicol-Mills (Jr.), Brice Cooper (Sr.), Pepe McEvoy-Salgado (So.)
Outlook: Mount Baker has doubled its win total each of the past two seasons and is looking to continue that improvement. However, they’ll have to rebuild with the graduation of five seniors, including two starters, and a serious injury that will keep three-year starter Hill out for much of the season. But you can count on the Mounties again being athletic and tough, both inside with Reardon in the post and outside with Bailey and Abitia in the backcourt.
Coach Tony Clark’s quote: “We will be an athletic group that will look to feed off the growth from last year’s team. We can continue to grow if we are willing to put in the work and earn it. We will be a team that plays hard and plays together. We have the pieces to be a solid team but will need to put them together.”
Nooksack Valley Pioneers
Last season: 11-11 overall, 6-9 in NWC (tied for 11th)
Top returnees: Cole Coppinger (Sr.), Dane Ackerman (Jr.), Westin Silves (Sr.), Crew Bauman (Sr.), Owen Wichers (Sr.), Brian Leyerly (Sr.), Jayden Anderson (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Treven Scheenstra (So.), Kade Mitchell (Jr.), Trace Polumbo (Jr.), Tyler Martin (So.)
Outlook: For the second year in a row, the Pioneers came up one win short of returning to state for the first time since 2011. But the talented class of 2025 is now gone, and Nooksack will have to reload behind lone returning starter Coppinger and last season’s key reserves Ackerman, Silves, and Wichers. The good news is that with six seniors, this group will be looking forward to finally getting its opportunity and won’t be intimidated by anyone.
Coach Jason Heutink’s quote: “We are excited for this season. We believe we have a team with a lot of options and assets that we can tap into depending on who we play. That flexibility will allow us to compete with a wide range of teams and keeps everyone involved. We have a team of 10 tough-nosed kids who aren’t afraid of hard work and grinding.”
Sehome Mariners
Last season: 6-17, 3-12 in NWC (15th)
Top returnees: Nolan Wright (Sr.), Cole Turrell (Sr.), Quincy Tanovan (Jr.), Xavier Kelley-Scott (Sr.), Klay Jackson (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Channer Rusk (Jr.), Laki Fagaautua (Sr.), Aiden Simmons (Sr.)
Outlook: The inexperienced Mariners took their lumps last year but figure to be one of the NWC’s most improved and competitive squads this season with five of their top six players returning. No one is tougher than football stars Wright in the backcourt and a now-healthy Turrell under the basket, and Kelley-Scott blossomed into one of the league’s top all-around players last season. And when they’re on, Tanovan and Jackson are two of the top 3-point shooters around.
Coach Brad Jackson’s quote: “This is a veteran team. They are close-knit with a lot of overall athletic experience. They should be competitive in what is always a top-of-the-line conference. Hopefully, with a healthy squad, this team has an opportunity to get better and better as the season goes along. We have excellent leadership and cohesiveness, which should lend to good balance.”
Squalicum Storm
Last season: 12-11 overall, 7-8 in NWC (tied for ninth)
Top returnees: Hunter Calloway (Jr.), Blake Elston (Jr.), Rhys Knowlton (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Harvey Tetrick (Sr.), Orion Granberg-Kiddle (Jr.), Collin Le (Jr.), Khalil Binta (Sr.), Ansen Asbjornsen (Sr.)
Outlook: The Storm were hit as hard by graduation as anyone in the NWC, losing six seniors including four starters. They’ll be rebuilding around juniors Calloway, one of the league’s most exciting players, and Elston, who went from the JV team to being a standout on varsity last season. How well the newcomers adjust to the rugged conference schedule will determine if the Storm make some noise come playoff time.
Coach David Dunham’s quote: “We will continue to grow a culture of hard work and grit, making sure to stack positive days of growth.”
