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: Ferndale
BOYS
Coach: Jason Owens
Last season: 11-9 overall, 6-7 in NWC (tied for seventh)
Top returnees: Andrew Monks (Jr.), Jazen Guillory (So.)
Top newcomers: Isisah Carlson (Fr.), Mark Schlichting (So.), Jesse Sapp (So.)
Outlook: After graduating 10 seniors, the Golden Eagles will be young and inexperienced. But they’ll also be more athletic and will look to be more aggressive in attacking the rim and creating mismatches in a spread-out court.
Coach’s quote: “We’ll be an exciting team to watch. and it will be fun to see how they respond to playing varsity basketball in a tough Northwest Conference.”
GIRLS
Coach: Terri Yost
Last season: 15-8 overall, 9-4 in NWC (sixth)
Top returnees: Ashley Thomas (Sr.), Brianna Byrnes (Sr.), Jocelyn Seig (Sr.), Chelsey LaPlante (Sr.), Jaclyn Denham (Jr.), Jamie Johnson (Jr.), Hannah Barlean (So.)
Top newcomers: Josie Cline (Jr.), Kaelee Bungard (So.), Ellie Ochoa (Fr.)
Outlook: With a squad full of strong guards, the Golden Eagles will rely on their speed at both ends of the court. After missing the 3A regionals last year by one game, Ferndale will use an up-tempo game and balanced scoring to battle in the Northwest Conference, and under first-year coach Yost expects to be playing its best basketball come February.
Coach’s quote: “It’s been fun to watch these girls come together both on and off the basketball court. We have great leadership from our four seniors who are determined to help our program have a great season.”
