Check out Where 2021 Seniors Will Play Next Year

Even though their seasons were shortened and there were no post-season games, our Whatcom County high school seniors still had an opportunity to shine on the court this year.

Here is a list of members of the Class of 2021 who will be taking their games to colleges next year.

 

JOSIE CLINE, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Ferndale guard will stay in the county as she plays for the Orcas of Bellingham. Whatcom finished 8-3 in the COVID-shortened season. The all-Whatcom Hoops second-teamer will be joined by Ripley Reardon of Mount Baker and Kaylee Wilson of Sehome. The three are following in the footsteps of recent county grads Danielle Tyler (Mount Baker) and Brynn Hallberg (Blaine). 

 

ASPEN GARRISON, SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE

The Sehome center is already attending the NCAA Division I university in Moranga, Calif., on a full-ride scholarship. The Gaels reached the West Coast Conference quarterfinals and finished the season at 7-19. Garrison was an all-league choice as a junior, but only played three games as a senior before having to leave for college.

 

LIAM HANENBURG, NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

The Lynden center and all-Whatcom Hoops first-teamer has a scholarship to play for the NCAA Division II school in Nampa, Idaho. The Nighthawks reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history in 2021 making it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen. They finished the year at 13-5.

 

BRAEDAN HART, PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

The Mount Baker guard and all-Whatcom Hoops first-teamer has a scholarship to play for the NCAA Division III school in Forest Grove, Ore. The Boxers finished the COVID-shortened season at 4-8, with a record of 3-5 in the Northwest Conference.

 

LEXI HERNANDEZ, THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY

The Lynden Christian center will play for the NAIA school in Santa Clarita, Calif. The Mustangs finished the COVID-shortened season at 7-5. The all-Whatcom Hoops first-teamer will be joining county alums Jessica Soares (Mount Baker) and Liv Tjoelker (Lynden).

 

JAMIE JOHNSON, WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

The Ferndale forward won’t be going far as the all-Whatcom Hoops first-teamer joins the NCAA Division II Vikings next fall. Western finished 6-0 in a COVID-shortened season. The Vikings had three former county stars on their roster: juniors Avery Dykstra (Lynden Christian) and Katrina Gimmaka (Nooksack Valley) and freshman Riley Dykstra (LC).

 

JAIE LEIGHTON, CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

The Lummi Nation forward and all-Whatcom Hoops second-teamer is planning to walk on to play for the NCAA Division II school in Ellensburg. The Wildcats finished 2-4 in their abbreviated 2021 schedule.

 

ALEXA MEE, WARNER PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

The Bellingham forward and all-Whatcom Hoops second-teamer will be attending the NAIA school in Portland, Ore., to play basketball. The Knights were 7-10 in the abbreviated 2021 season.

 

EMILY MELLEMA, UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

The Lynden Christian point guard and all-Whatcom Hoops first-teamer has a scholarship to play for the NCAA Division I Cowgirls. Wyoming finished the season 14-10, won the Mountain West Tournament for the first time, and made the NCAA tournament for the second time in school history.

 

RIPLEY REARDON, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Mount Baker forward will stay in the county as she plays for the Orcas of Bellingham. Whatcom finished 8-3 in the COVID-shortened season. The all-Whatcom Hoops honorable mention pick will be joined by Josie Cline of Ferndale and Kaylee Wilson of Sehome. The three are following in the footsteps of recent county grads Danielle Tyler (Mount Baker) and Brynn Hallberg (Blaine).

 

JOSH RUSS, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Blaine guard will stay in the county as he turns out for the Orcas of Bellingham. Whatcom finished 2-9 in the COVID-shortened season. The all-Whatcom Hoops first-teamer will be following in the footsteps of recent county grads Clancy Coppinger (Nooksack Valley), Andrew McFall (Bellingham), Michael McLin (Sehome), Dedrick Mitchell (Squalicum), Jackson Short (Meridian), and Rits Voeut (Bellingham).

 

KAYLEE WILSON, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Sehome guard will stay in the county as she plays for the Orcas of Bellingham. Whatcom finished 8-3 in the COVID-shortened season. The all-Whatcom Hoops honorable mention pick will be joined by Josie Cline of Ferndale and Ripley Reardon of Mount Baker. The three are following in the footsteps of recent county grads Danielle Tyler (Mount Baker) and Brynn Hallberg (Blaine). 

 

LELAND ZENDER, COAST GUARD ACADEMY

The Squalicum center will be attending the NCAA Division III school in New London, Conn., where the all-Whatcom Hoops honorable mention pick plans to play basketball. The Bears only played one official game in 2021 (they won), but they did with the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championship in 2020.

Jim Carberry of Whatcom Hoops

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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