While the coronavirus crisis has made things difficult for so many of our high school students, now that the Class of 2020 has finally graduated, it’s time to honor and remember those who are going on.
After another incredibly successful basketball season for so many of our schools, here’s a list of the many outstanding seniors who are taking their games to the college level:
BRIANNA BYRNES, BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Ferndale all-league guard has signed to play basketball and volleyball for the Bulldogs, who finished the basketball season with an 18-6 record and a spot in the league playoffs.
CLANCY COPPINGER, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Nooksack Valley senior forward is planning to walk on at WCC. The Orcas finished 6-20 last season.
ANDREW DEVRIES, DORDT UNIVERSITY
The Lynden Christian all-state guard has signed to play for the Defenders. The NAIA school in Sioux Center, Iowa, finished 22-9 last season and reached the league playoffs.
RILEY DYKSTRA, WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
The Lynden Christian all-state guard received a scholarship to play for the hometown Vikings, who finished 22-9 and qualified for the NCAA Division II national tournament last season. Not only will she be staying close to home, but she’ll be playing on the same team as her sister, Avery, who will be a junior.
KEYLIE HERSHEY, WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE
The Lynden all-state guard has signed to play for the Knights, who finished 21-9 and reached the league playoffs last season.
DEDRICK MITCHELL, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Squalicum all-league guard has committed to play for the hometown Orcas, who finished last season with a 6-20 record. He’ll be joined by fellow signee Jackson Short of Meridian.
DEVANTE POWELL, NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY
The Squalicum all-league guard received a scholarship to play for the Eagles. The NAIA school in Kirkland finished 18-12 and reached the league playoffs last season. Also playing for the Eagles was freshman Cole Langstraat of Lynden Christian.
JACKSON SHORT, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Meridian all-league guard has committed to play for the hometown Orcas, who finished last season with a 6-20 record. He’ll be joined by fellows signee Dedrick Mitchell of Squalicum.
JOLEE SIPMA, CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
The Meridian all-league center received a scholarship to play for the Wildcats of Ellensburg. The NCAA Division II school finished 19-11 last season and reached the league playoffs before losing to top-ranked Alaska-Anchorage by 2 points. Also on the team was freshman Rylee Weg of Ferndale.
ASHLEY THOMAS, SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE
The Ferndale guard has signed to play both basketball and soccer for the Cardinals from Mount Vernon, who finished 11-15 last season. Thomas will be joined on the basketball team by sophomore Josie Bocci (Lynden Christian) and freshman Abby Yost (Mount Baker).
LIV TJOELKER, MASTER’S UNIVERSITY
The Lynden all-league guard received a scholarship to the NAIA school in Santa Clarita, Calif. She will be joining two familiar faces — Jessica and Stephanie Soares, who starred on Mount Baker’s 2017 state championship team and who helped lead Master’s to a program-record 29 victories and the first No.1 ranking in team history last season.
RUBY VANDER HAAK, ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
The Lynden all-state guard received a scholarship to play for the Bears. The NAIA school in Billings, Mont., finished last season 19-11 and reached its conference playoffs.
ABBY YOST, SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE
The Mount Baker all-league forward has signed to play for the Cardinals from Mount Vernon, who finished 11-15 last season. Yost will be joined by sophomore Josie Bocci (Lynden Christian) and freshman Ashley Thomas (Ferndale).
