Whatcom County boys and girls are ready to tip off the 2019-20 basketball season, and Whatcom Hoops has previews for all our teams. Today’s school: Lynden
BOYS
Coach: Brian Roper
Last season: 26-1 overall, 12-1 in NWC (second), 2A state champion
Top returnees: Brock Heppner (Sr.), Liam Hanenburg (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Jordan Medcalf (So.), Clay Kochuten (Jr.), Kaleo Jandoc (So.), Koby Whitman (Jr.)
Outlook: Any other program that graduated two all-staters, 10 seniors and 67 of its 73 points per game would already be waving the white flag and making plans for baseball season. Not Lynden. The two-time defending 2A state champions will be young and inexperienced, but they have a hungry group moving up from a 16-2 JV team that is ready to make its mark at the varsity level.
Coach’s quote: “Brock Heppner is the perfect guy to lead a young team. The conference is wide open, and we believe we can be in the mix.”
GIRLS
Coach: Rob Adams
Last season: 23-4 overall, 12-1 in NWC (first), fourth in 2A state
Top returnees: Keylie Hershey (Sr.), Ruby VanderHaak (Sr.), Liv Tjoelker (Sr.), Anna VanderYacht (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Faith Baar (Jr.), Madison Canales (Jr.)
Outlook: Lynden will be one of the state favorites with almost all of its players returning from a squad that was seeded No.1 much of last year. With all-conference players Hershey, VanderHaak and Tjoelker, the Lions have the firepower to go with a deep and athletic squad from 1 to 12. And now they get back two injured big girls, including 6-foot Baar who started as a freshman before missing all last year with a knee injury.
Coach’s quote: “We are excited for the season to finally arrive.”
