In a matchup of defending state champions that was expected to be one of the few formidable tests for the Lynden girls basketball team before the playoffs, the Lions demolished Bellevue Christian, 82-37, on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
“We knew they were good,” said junior Lexi Hermanutz, who had 15 points. “I was excited (to play them). It was fun.”
The non-league victory raised Lynden’s record to 11-0 on the season, and while the result might not have been a surprise — after all, the defending Class 2A champions have now won 59 in a row — the total domination was.
How total was it?
* By early in the second quarter, Lynden had scored more points (40) than any of Bellevue Christian’s opponents did at state last year, and by game’s end the Lions had scored just three points less than all three state opponents did combined.
* By halftime, Lynden had more points (58) than any opponent had scored against Bellevue Christian in a full game this season or last season.
* By the third quarter, Lynden led by 40 and the only things keeping the Lions from going over 100 points and blowing up the new giant scoreboard were the running clock, Lynden’s starters sitting the fourth quarter, and the respect Lynden coach Rob Adams had for the Bellevue Christian coaching staff.
And while Bellevue Christian might be “only” a Class 1A team, it came into the game with a 7-1 record — its only loss was to a strong 3A team — with wins over four 3A or 2A teams, including Sehome last week. Oh yeah, and the Vikings won state with much of the same team.
But right from the opening tip, the game belonged to the Lions, who came out running the break, running their halfcourt offense, and running the Vikings out of the gym. It was 30-5 with a minute left in the first quarter and all suspense had left the gym too.
“We came out harder and played really well,” said senior starter Rian Stephan, who led the team with 7 rebounds. “It was super fun. How we play together is unbeatable.”
Leading the offensive explosion, which was Lynden’s largest of the season so far, were its two all-state stars. Junior Finley Parcher had 29 points and senior Payton Mills had 17 points. Not far behind was Hermanutz, who in addition to her 15 points and three 3-pointers had 6 assists.
“We like to say defense travels,” said Adams, who pointed out that his Lions still met their defensive goal of holding teams under 39 points. “But some nights, when we get rolling … we call it all gas, no brakes, and we had a six- or seven-minute stretch where we played all gas and no brakes.”
But what got Adams really excited was to see how the non-starters starred in their roles. Nine different Lions scored, all played hard-nosed defense, and three different reserves made 3-pointers.
“These guys played just as hard as the starters,” said Adams of his bench. “We’ve been proud of that. We’ve been really happy to see our role players expanding their roles. Tonight was great.”
The Lions are back in action again Wednesday night when they travel to Sedro-Woolley and then wind up the week on Saturday afternoon hosting another Class 1A power, King’s.
Lynden 82, Bellevue Christian 37
Bellevue Christian 10 15 7 5—37
Lynden 32 26 19 5—82
Bellevue Christian: Franklin, G. Reynolds 3, Nienaber 1, Skogstad 10, Lingerfelt, Hoffman 12, O. Reynolds 11, Hodo.
Lynden: Bowler 3, Hermanutz 15, Nyhoff, Newcomb 6, Slayton 3, R. Stephan 4, I. Stephan, Somma 2, Basart 3, Parcher 29, Mills 17, Dykstra.
