It was a good day for Whatcom boys and girls teams as holiday tournaments sprang up around the state, including two in our county, on Monday, Dec. 29.
In the Trojan Storm Winter Classic at Meridian, the Lummi Nation boys and girls had impressive victories to move into the semifinals.
Joining the Blackhawks with Monday wins at the three-day tournament were the Bellingham boys and girls, the Meridian boys, and the Sehome, Blaine, and Mount Baker girls.
Meanwhile, the Lynden girls remained undefeated but the Lynden Christian girls suffered their first loss of the season at the Lynden Christmas Classic. The three-day tourney continues at Lynden Christian on Tuesday.
Other Whatcom winners at holiday tournaments on Monday were the Sehome boys at Burlington-Edison, the Lynden Christian boys at Mountlake Terrace, the Nooksack Valley girls at the T-Town Throwdown in Tacoma, and the Lynden boys at the Wilbur-Ellis SunDome Shootout.
Here’s a look at all the holiday tournament games involving Whatcom teams.
Trojan Storm Winter Classic (Boys)
Lummi Nation Chops Down Eastlake, 71-62
The Lummi Nation boys got what they wanted Monday when the defending Class 1B state champion Blackhawks withstood the challenge of 4A Eastlake and pulled out a 71-62 victory in the first round of the Trojan Storm Winter Classic.
“We’re trying to win these battles, playing up with the bigger athletes,” said Lummi Nation coach Jerome Toby, who has never been afraid to schedule bigger and better teams. “They (the Blackhawks) know what the end goal is. It’s a journey, a long journey. Today our boys showed up.”
Did they ever. The Blackhawks’ intense fullcourt pressure took the Wolves by surprise as Lummi jumped to a quick 10-point lead, and it appeared another blowout might be in store. But even though Eastlake’s record isn’t great (now 2-5), we’re talking about a school with roughly 20 times more students than Lummi Nation.
So while the Blackhawks never surrendered the lead, they saw it slip to just two points on several occasions in the second half.
“We knew they’d get their runs,” said Toby. “But we weathered them. I’m really proud of the boys, staying the course.”
And when the game got tense and pressure filled the court, the Blackhawks stayed cool. And the coolest one of all was senior Jerome Toby Jr., Lummi’s all-state guard. He scored on two fastbreak layups in the final two minutes and sank all four free throws in the final 30 seconds to ice the game.
He would finish with a team-high 23 points and three 3-pointers, but as always with the Blackhawks, it was a team effort. Senior Chayce Waite-Kellar, the 6-foot-8 transfer and Central Washington University commit, had 18 points and a couple of big dunks, juniors Landon LaFontaine and Dyson Edwards had 11 points each, and senior Deandre James chipped in with 8 points.
For Waite-Kellar, the game was doubly meaningful having played for the Eastlake coaches during the AAU season, but the big man knows what the big goal is for his new team.
“There’s definitely pressure, but probably more for them,” he said of his teammates returning to defend the state title. “I just want to help them win another one.”
So far, he’s helped them win seven of eight games, the team’s only loss coming to Class 1A power Lynden Christian at LC in a game that came down to the wire. And so far, he’s enjoyed every minute.
“I’m immersed in the culture,” said Waite-Kellar, who is used to moving having grown up in a military family. “It’s been a wonderful experience. I love it (being on the team). It’s fast paced, and they are unselfish.”
Coach Toby called the big man “the missing piece” on a team with no one else taller than 6-3. But Toby praised Waite-Kellar’s personality as much as his basketball skills.
“Chayce’s personality is great, and it’s been a smooth transition for us,” he said.
Next up for the Blackhawks is another bigger team from just down Marine Drive. Lummi Nation will face Bellingham on Tuesday in the tournament’s first semifinal at 10 a.m.
Lummi Nation 71, Eastlake 62
Eastlake 11 18 14 19—62
Lummi Nation 21 13 20 17—71
Eastlake: Tricker, Goldie 6, Tarambale, Thompson 16, Debbagh, D’Souza 31, Hanhart 3, Kaira 3, Eason 3, Boulter.
Lummi Nation: Toby Jr. 23, LaFontaine 11, Edwards 11, Yrizarris, Hawk, Waite-Kellar 18, D. James 8, Tobey-Williams.
Bellingham Holds Off Bellevue Christian, 62-56
The Bayhawks built a double-digit lead but then had to hold off Bellevue Christian, 62-56, on Monday to move into Tuesday’s semifinal.
Junior Calvin Van Hofwegen led Bellingham (3-4) with 14 points, senior Barrett Johnson had 13 points and made all four of his free throws in the crucial final period, and senior Joe Harward had 12 points and made five of his six free throws in the fourth quarter to help stave off the Vikings (5-2).
Sophomore Emmett Vanhouten added 10 points, and senior Cyrus Campos had 9 points for the Bayhawks, who advance to play Lummi Nation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The winner moves into Wednesday’s championship game at 2 p.m.
Meridian Blasts Sultan To Move Into Semis, 70-37
The Trojans used a 25-4 third quarter to break open the game and down Sultan, 70-37, on Monday and move into the semifinals of their tournament.
Junior Trey Alexander led Meridian (2-4) with 19 points, all but four of them in the middle two periods when the Trojans outscored the Turks (3-6), 48-12. Junior Gabe Galbraith had 15 points and a trio of 3-pointers as 12 different Trojans got in the scoring column.
Meridian takes on Bush, a 52-51 winner over North Kitsap on Monday, in Tuesday’s 6 p.m. semi.
Trojan Storm Winter Classic (Girls)
Lummi Nation Flies Past South Whidbey, 64-15
Unlike the thrilling Lummi Nation boys game, the Lady Blackhawks made short work of South Whidbey, 64-15, in Monday’s first round of the Trojan Storm Winter Classic and will advance to the Bracket 2 semifinals against Bellingham on Tuesday at noon.
(Because there are 17 girls teams entered, the tournament is divided into Brackets 1 and 2.)
On Monday, Lummi Nation (7-1) used its fullcourt press and fastbreak offense to storm to a 25-1 lead and wouldn’t let the Falcons (2-4) make a field goal until just over five minutes remained in the first half. By then the press had been called off and the subs had began getting their minutes.
By the third quarter the lead was more than 50 and the running clock was off and running.
“We look forward to it every year,” Lummi Nation coach David James said of the holiday tournaments. “We want to play the bigger teams. We have high expectations, and don’t want to be settling. We want to stay hunger … and they (the Blackhawks) are all hungry.”
The hungriest might be the coach’s daughter and star guard, Jemma James, who has started since her eighth-grade season. The 5-5 junior whirlwind had 24 points and ran the efficient offense.
“We want to get more competition and show what Lummi has,” said Jemma. “All of us love to play basketball. We don’t really feel any pressure to win. Our goal is to make it to the (state) championship.”
With the addition of Ailina Rabang two years ago, the Blackhawks have been to state each season but have not yet gotten a trophy. With Rabang and Bri Metteba in their senior seasons, this could be the year. On Monday, Metteba had 11 points and Rabang added 10.
But the latest addition is another transfer — and another eighth-grader — Jordy Reeder. She had 9 points on Monday and along with James and Rabang, has been averaging about 15 points a game.
“It’s been fun for me,” said Reeder, who moved from Lapwai, Idaho, in October and who has fit into the Lady Blackhawks’ “fun and gun” style. “My goal was to play varsity as an eighth-grader. They’ve been a really encouraging team. They tell me to just keep shooting.”
For Jemma, the similarities to her journey are obvious — a 5-5 guard starting as an eighth-grader who likes to shoot. Oh, and there’s one more thing they share.
“She reminds me of myself in eighth grade,” said Jemma. “Her personality .. she’s goofy. She’s like a little sister.”
Lummi Nation 64, South Whidbey 15
Lummi Nation 19 11 25 9—64
South Whidbey 1 4 2 8—15
Lummi Nation: J. James 24, Rabang 10, B. Metteba 11, Reeder 9, Morris 2, Dennis, LaJuan 2, M. Metteba 4, C. James 2.
South Whidbey: Cornwell, Muniz, Perkins, Young 6, Schoonover, Coleman, Balora 1, Hanna, Felgar 6, Sommer 2.
Bellingham Posts 44-24 Win Over Federal Way
The Bayhawks flashed their defense, holding Class 3A Federal Way to its second-lowest point total of the season in a 44-24 Bellingham victory on Monday.
Bellingham’s defense limited the Eagles (1-6) to only nine first-half points on the way to securing the Bayhawks’ fifth victory in eight games.
Sophomore Lucy Holland had 11 points to lead the balanced Bellingham attack, junior Merritt Jensen had 10 points, seniors Mary Lockhart and Isabelle Rogers had 6 points each, and sophomore Elise Holland had 5 points.
The Bayhawks now take on Lummi Nation in the first Bracket 2 semifinal at noon on Tuesday.
Blaine Offense Rolls Past Coupeville, 44-30
The Borderites had their highest scoring game of the season in defeating Coupeville, 44-30, in Monday’s first round of Bracket 2.
Blaine improved to 2-6 with the win over the Wolves (1-5) and will advance to the Tuesday’s 2 p.m. semifinal to play La Center (4-3). The Wildcats lost Monday but will replace Mount Baker, which was only able to play one game in the tournament.
Mount Baker Defense Dominates La Center, 43-30
The Mounties only led by one after the first quarter, but then held La Center to only two points in each of the next two periods to build a big lead and hold off the Wildcats, 43-30, in Monday’s first-round game.
Mount Baker (6-2) led by 23 heading into the final period as eight different Mounties scored. Senior Reace Brown had a game-high 11 points, junior Rebeca Soares and sophomore Aurora George had 7 points each, and junior Violet Fox had 6 points.
The Mounties had to bow out of the tournament after one day due to scheduling.
Sehome Shuts Down Curtis In 60-27 Win
The Mariners came out strong, especially on defense, and had little trouble with 4A Curtis on Monday, winning, 60-27.
Sehome (6-2) held the Vikings (1-8) to 17 points through the first three periods and on offense put up their highest point total of the season.
Junior Kate Schroeder had 15 points and a pair of 3s, sophomore Taylor Turrell had 10 points, senior Aspen Barge had 7 points, senior Keira Reeves had 7 points, and senior Lily Jude had 6 points.
The Mariners will take on Kamiak on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in one of the Bracket 1 semifinals. In the other semifinal, defending Class 1A state champion Bellevue Christian will take on Ridgefield. The Vikings beat Burlington-Edison on Monday, 69-36, and the Spudders topped Port Angeles, 40-37.
Meridian Rallies But Comes Up Short In 54-47 Loss
The Trojans fought back from a horrible start but couldn’t sustain the comeback in the fourth quarter, falling to 4A Kamiak, 54-47, on Monday in a Bracket 1 game.
Meridian (2-3) was only down by one when the Knights (3-5) went on a 17-3 run to end the first half, leaving the Trojans behind by 15 after scoring only nine points. But the second half was a different story.
The Trojans held Kamiak to two points in the third quarter and when junior Eden Bernardy hit a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer, they were only down by three. Then early in the fourth quarter, then took a 31-30 lead on senior Kinsley Neal’s 3-pointer with 5:43 left.
But the drained Trojans couldn’t keep up the pace, only scoring six points the rest of the way as Kamiak pulled out the victory. Bernardy had 14 points with 12 of her points and both her 3-pointers coming in the second-half comeback, and sophomore Madyn Cline-Malarz added 6 points.
Meridian (2-3) will play Burlington-Edison in a consolation game at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Lynden Christmas Classic
Lynden Girls Rout Rogers (Puyallup), 64-28
Even a good 4A school was no match for the Lynden girls as they sheared Rogers (Puyallup) in the opening round of the Lynden Christmas Classic, 64-28, at Lynden Christian on Monday.
The Lions (7-0) held the Rams to eight points and only two field goals in the first half while building a 23-point lead at intermission and coasting to victory. And this was against a team that came into the game with a 6-2 record.
Junior Finley Parcher led the Lynden offense with 22 points, hitting four of the Lions’ 11 3-pointers. Seniors Payton Mills, Degitu Bowler, and Rilanna Newcomb made two 3s each with Mills finishing with 12 points, Bowler with 10 points, and Newcomb with 6. Junior Lexi Hermanutz added 10 points to the Lynden attack.
The Lions will play White River in the semifinals on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Napavine Hands LC Girls First Loss, 58-54
The Lynden Christian girls fought back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter but a banked in 3-pointer with eight seconds left by Napavine ended the comeback and put the Lyncs (7-1) in the consolation bracket of their Lynden Christmas Classic.
Napavine (6-2) won the Class 2B state title in 2024 and placed third last year. It’s only two losses this season have been to King’s and W.F. West.
The Lyncs will play River Ridge on Tuesday at 3:45 in a consolation game. The Hawks lost to Snohomish on Monday, 55-49.
Burlington-Edison Holiday Tournament
Sehome Boys Beat Thomas Jefferson, 60-47
The Mariners (5-3) started slow, only putting up 10 first-quarter points, but then put away 3A Thomas Jefferson (2-5) by dominating the rest of the way for a 60-47 victory Monday in the opening round of the two-day tournament.
Senior Xavier Kelley led the Mariners with 22 points, including a pair of 3-pointers; senior Klay Jackson had 11 points and a trio of 3s; junior Quincy Tanovan had 10 points and two more 3s; and senior Nolan Wright added 7 points.
Sehome will take on host Burlington-Edison, which beat the Northwest School by 43 points, in the tournament championship on Tuesday at 2:35 p.m.
Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament
LC Boys Come Back To Beat Seattle Academy, 64-54
The Lynden Christian boys fell behind early after a cold first quarter, but got their offense rolling in the second half to beat Seattle Academy, 64-54, in Monday’s first round of the Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament.
The Lyncs (8-1) only scored nine first-quarter points, but took the lead by halftime and then had enough fire power to knock off the 3A Cardinal (6-3).
Junior Dawson Hintz led LC with 23 points, 14 coming in the second half, and a pair of 3-pointers. Junior Kaden Veldman had 19 points, senior Hayden Herwerden had 8 points, and junior Gunnar Dykstra had 7 points.
The Lyncs will square off with 4A Sumner (6-3) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the final day of the tournament.
Sumner Thrashes Squalicum Boys, 71-28
The Squalicum boys couldn’t get anything going against 4A Sumner, falling behind by 32 by halftime and losing, 71-28, in Monday’s first round of the Mountlake Terrace Holiday tournament.
Senior Rhys Knowlton led Squalicum with 11 points but was the only Storm player to score more than five points. The Storm (3-4) will take on another 4A school, Juanita, on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the final day of the tournament.
T-Town Throwdown
Nooksack Girls Take Down 4A Puyallup, 46-32
The Nooksack Valley girls (4-0) moved into the semifinals of the T-Town Throwdown by upsetting 4A Puyallup, 46-32, in Monday’s opening round. The Pioneers will play another 4A school, Bethel, on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.
Nooksack slowly pulled away to an eight-point halftime lead and then held the Vikings (5-4) to only 13 points in the second half to secure the win.
Senior Chayleigh Davis had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, and junior Raegan Burke also had 13 points thanks to three 3-pointers. Senior Payton Bartl added 8 points and a pair of 3s, and senior Grace DeHoog had 7 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots.
Nooksack Boys Can’t Stop Bonney Lake, 75-30
The Nooksack Valley boys (2-4) found the going tough against an undefeated Class 4A team, falling to Bonney Lake (8-0) on Monday, 75-30, in the first round of the T-Town Throwdown in Tacoma.
The Pioneers never got their offense going, managing only five points in the opening quarter to fall behind by 16 and being shut out in the fourth period. Seniors Cole Coppinger and Owen Wichers had 10 and 9 points, respectively, to lead Nooksack, which will face Newport (Bellevue) in consolation play on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Wilbur-Ellis SunDome Shootout
Lynden Boys Down Eisenhower in Dome, 59-41
The Lynden boys only let three players score and pulled away from Eisenhower for a 59-41 victory at the Wilbur-Ellis SunDome Shootout in Yakima on Monday.
The Lions (6-3) only allowed the 4A Cadets (1-6) 15 first-half points and stretched a 10-point margin in the fourth quarter to 18.
Senior Brody Price and junior Gordy Bedlington led Lynden with 12 points and two 3-pointers each and the two combined for 7 assists. Junior Malachi Koenen had 10 points and two more 3s, senior James Ellis had 7 points, and junior Lewis Whitney had a team-high 9 rebounds.
Lynden will play Selah on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the final day of the tournament.
