Lynden all-star Christian Zamora is the latest Whatcom County senior to commit to play for a college. The Lions’ all-time leading scorer announced that he will be playing for Western Washington University.
The NCAA Division II Vikings finished 15-15 this past season and missed out on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference playoffs on a tie-breaker. On their roster were two other county players: junior Leif Anderson (Sehome) and senior Logan Schilder (Bellingham)
If you know of any other seniors planning to play in college, be sure to e-mail whatcomhoops@comcast.net so we can include them.
Zamora is only one of several local players planning to play at the college level. Here’s a list:
COLE BAJEMA, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The Lynden Christian all-state guard received a scholarship to play for the University of Michigan. The Wolverines finished 30-7 this past season and reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division I national tournament for the third year in a row.
JOSIE BOCCI, SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE
The Lynden Christian guard is planning to play for the Cardinals, who finished the season 14-14 after reaching the first round of the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament. Also on the Skagit roster this past season was freshman McKenzie Yost (Mount Baker).
CRISTIAN COLWELL, WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
The Lynden Christian center signed with the Pirates of Spokane, who finished 21-6 and just missed their 13th consecutive berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament when they lost in overtime in the Northwest Conference finals.
KOBE ELSNER, UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
The Lynden point guard committed to the NCAA Division III Loggers of Tacoma, who finished the season 12-14 after losing in the first round of the Northwest Conference tournament.
BRYNN HALLBERG, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Blaine guard is committed to play for the Orcas, who finished 14-14 after reaching the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament’s Elite Eight. County players on the WCC roster this past season included freshmen Gabrielle Edison (Ferndale), Hannah Larkin (Squalicum), and Carmelita Rodriguez (Ferndale) and sophomores Samantha Hruby (Sehome), Elisa Kooiman (Lynden) and Rachel Sande (Nooksack Valley).
ISABELA HERNANDEZ, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Lynden Christian all-state guard signed with the Division I Aztecs, who finished 14-18 after losing in the Mountain West Conference semifinals.
EDDIE HOCHSPRUNG, SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
The Sehome guard is planning to walk on for the Falcons, who finished the season 22-7 after reaching the West Region semifinals of the NCAA Division II national tournament.
DREW McFALL, SILVER LAKE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY FAMILY
The Bellingham guard committed to play for the NAIA school in Manitowoc, Wisc. The Lakers finished 10-20 last season.
COLE LANGSTRAAT, NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY
The Lynden Christian forward committed to play for the Eagles of Seattle. The NAIA school finished this past season 15-17 after reaching the second round of the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament.
GRACE STERK, SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
The Lynden Christian forward signed with the Division II school that plays in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with Western Washington University. The Falcons finished 8-19 this past season.
DANIELLE TYLER, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Mount Baker guard is committed to play for the Orcas, who finished 14-14 after reaching the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament’s Elite Eight. County players on the WCC roster this past season included freshmen Gabrielle Edison (Ferndale), Hannah Larkin (Squalicum), Carmelita Rodriguez (Ferndale) and sophomores Samantha Hruby (Sehome), Elisa Kooiman (Lynden) and Rachel Sande (Nooksack Valley).
KIM WEDEN, NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY
The Ferndale forward has signed with the Eagles of Seattle. The NAIA school finished its season 11-20 after reaching the Cascade Collegiate Conference quarterfinals. Weden will join former county stars Sam Van Loo (Lynden Christian) and Ellesse Fitzgerald (Meridian), both of whom were freshmen this year. The team is coached by Ken Crawford, long-time Bellingham High School boys coach.
CLAYTON WHITMAN, SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
The Lynden all-state forward received a scholarship to play for the Falcons, who finished the season 22-7 after reaching the West Region semifinals of the NCAA Division II national tournament.
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.
