Whatcom’s Elite Eight begin their quests for their respective state championships this weekend as the Class 1B, 1A, and 2A boys and girls basketball regionals tip off.
And once again, many of our teams find themselves among the favorites.
The defending state champion Nooksack Valley girls (Class 1A) and Lynden boys (2A) and the Lummi Nation boys (1B) go into their tournaments as top seeds, while the Lynden Christian (1) boys and the Lynden girls will be the second seeds.
On Saturday, the Lummi Nation girls and boys will be playing their contests in Mount Vernon at noon and 2 p.m., respectively, and will be joined by the Nooksack Valley girls at 4 p.m. The other 1A games will be at Lynden High on Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. when the Lynden Christian girls and boys play.
For the complete brackets, check out the WIAA Tournament Central websites for Girls and Boys.
In case you’ve forgotten (or are still confused about the whole thing), here’s how the regional round of the state tournaments works:
The top eight seeds play each other with all advancing to their respective state tournaments on Feb. 28 to March 2 (the 2A and 1A in Yakima, the 1B in Spokane). Those regional winners move directly to Thursday’s quarterfinals while the losers must win a Wednesday play-in, loser-out game to reach the quarterfinals.
The nine through 16 seeds play each other in regionals with only the winners advancing to Wednesday’s play-in state tournament games.
Here’s a preview of all the games involving our Whatcom teams as well as a look at the regionals as a whole:
Class 1B
No.1 LUMMI NATION BOYS (22-1) vs. No.8 NASELLE (19-3)
Saturday, 2 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School
If Blackhawks win: Play Thursday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., in state quarterfinals
If Blackhawks lose: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. vs. Tulalip Heritage-Columbia Adventist winner in loser-out game
Regional outlook: Lummi Nation will go in as the top seed, but the Blackhawks will be tested by a balanced Comets club that won the Columbia Valley League. With star point guard Jerome Toby Jr., the Blackhawks’ quick defense, transition game, and 3-point shooting makes them dangerous, but there is no clear-cut favorite this year. Defending champion Wellpinit, one-loss Moses Lake Christian-Covenant Christian, and DeSales, which beat the Blackhawks at state last year, are all just as dangerous.
Coach Jerome Toby Sr.: “A lot of teams have a chance to bring home the gold ball. But we’re excited to be in the regionals, and our boys are ready to compete and represent Lummi Nation.”
CLASS 1B BOYS STATE REGIONALS
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Play-in games
Wilbur-Creston-Keller 68, Oakville 46 (loser out)
Sound Christian Academy 66, Liberty Christian 47 (loser out)
Columbia Adventist 43, Mount Vernon Christian 30 (loser out)
Summit Classical Christian 78, Northport 66 (loser out)
Friday, Feb. 23
#15 Summit Classical Christian (18-7) vs. #10 Soap Lake (18-6) at Moses Lake HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#6 Cusick (19-3) vs. #3 Moses Lake Christian-Covenant Christian (20-1) at Moses Lake HS, 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#13 Sound Christian Academy (18-7) vs. #12 Oakesdale (16-7) at Central Valley HS, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Saturday, Feb. 24
#8 Nasalle (19-3) vs. #1 Lummi Nation (22-1) at Mount Vernon HS, 2 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#5 Neah Bay (17-4) vs. #4 DeSales (20-4) at Kamiakin HS, 2 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#14 Wilbur-Creston-Keller (15-7) vs. #11 Muckleshoot Tribal (19-6) at Auburn HS, 2 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#7 Mossyrock (16-6) vs. #2 Wellpinit (20-2) at Cheney HS, 4 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#16 Columbia Adventist (17-8) vs. #9 Tulalip Heritage (17-8) at Arlington HS, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
No.11 LUMMI NATION GIRLS (17-8) vs. No.14 TAHOLAH (15-6)
Saturday, noon, at Mount Vernon High School
If Lady Blackhawks win: Play Wednesday, 3:45 p.m., against Oakesdale vs. Waterville-Mansfield loser in loser-out game
If Lady Blackhawks lose: Their season is over.
Regional outlook: Lummi Nation will have its hands full with the Chitwhins from the Quinault Indian Reservation, who play a similar run-and-press style. But the Lady Blackhawks won’t be intimidated by anyone, having faced three of the top four 1B teams (Neah Bay, Mount Vernon Christian, and Crosspoint) in the playoffs. If freshman bomber Jemma James and the Blackhawks can hit their shots — especially their 3-pointers — Lummi may bring home a trophy for the first time since 2009 and only the third time in school history.
Coach Krista Mahle: “I think we know our potential after playing Neah Bay (only down by five at halftime). It was a confidence booster and now the girls realize they can be a good team. Our game plan is to outrun other people. You have to be able to run the whole 32 minutes. We’re confident going into Saturday.”
CLASS 1B GIRLS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 23
#8 Curlew (20-3) vs. #1 Neah Bay (18-2) at Tacoma CC, 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#7 Wilbur-Creston-Keller (18-4) vs. #2 Mount Vernon Christian (22-5) at Mount Vernon HS, 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#16 Pe Ell (16-5) vs. #9 Sunnyside Christian (20-4) at Grandview HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#15 Evergreen Lutheran (18-5) vs. #10 Mossyrock (16-6) at W.F. West HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Saturday, Feb. 24
#14 Taholah (15-6) vs. #11 Lummi Nation (17-8) at Mount Vernon HS, noon (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#5 Almira-Coulee-Hartline (15-6) vs. #4 Crosspoint (22-3) at Tacoma CC, noon (both to state tournament)
#6 Oakesdale (17-3) vs. #3 Waterville-Mansfield (17-4) at Wenatchee HS, 4 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#13 Pateros (18-5) vs. #12 Garfield-Palouse (16-6) at Cheney HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Class 1A
No.2 LYNDEN CHRISTIAN BOYS (21-2) vs. No.7 SETON CATHOLIC (17-5)
Saturday, 2 p.m., at Lynden High School
If Lyncs win: Play Thursday, Feb. 29, at 2 p.m. in quarterfinals
If Lyncs lose: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. vs. Meridian-Life Christian Academy winner in loser-out game
Regional outlook: The two-time defending state champion Lyncs have the inside, outside, and defensive games to play with anyone and will be favorites along with unbeaten Zillah and once-beaten Annie Wright. Also lurking in the wings are old playoff foes Freeman, Seattle Academy, and King’s, which has faced LC in the past three state finals. But first the Lyncs will have to take care of a young Cougars club from Vancouver, Wash., that has five starters who can all shoot the 3. What they don’t have is size, which LC has in abundance with last year’s tournament MVP Jeremiah Wright, which may prove to be the difference.
Coach Tim Zylstra: “We’ll have to defend like crazy (on Saturday). But we never take anybody lightly. The game starts at 0-0. This (LC) team has to prove it themselves. If you’ve been in the (Yakima Sun) Dome and know what it takes, it works in our favor. But you have to prove it all over again. You’ve got to earn it.”
No. 10 MERIDIAN BOYS (13-11) vs. No.15 LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (13-10)
Friday, 8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School
If Trojans win: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. vs. Lynden Christian-Seton Catholic loser in loser-out game
If Trojans lose: Their season is over.
Regional outlook: No one appreciates their state appearance more than the Trojans, who qualified thanks to a last-second, comeback victory in a loser-out district finale against Nooksack Valley. But this Meridian group is not just thankful but battle-tested having survived in perhaps the toughest league in the state for a 1A squad. They’ll square off with a Tacoma team that will remind people of the in-your-face pressing Lakewood club and, like Meridian, the Eagles played bigger schools and a state favorite (Annie Wright) multiple times. If the Trojans can handle the press and leading scorer Talon Jenkins stays hot, look for them to return to Yakima.
Coach Shane Stacy: “I told them Monday they can watch it (the video of the Nooksack ending) one last time, and now it’s time to move on. I think we’re ready to go. It will be a good matchup. I’m proud of this team. We’ll give everybody our best shot and I don’t expect anything less.”
CLASS 1A BOYS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 23
#15 Life Christian Academy (13-10) vs. #10 Meridian (13-11) at Mount Vernon HS, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#8 Tenino (16-6) at #1 Zillah (23-0), 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
Saturday, Feb. 24
#7 Seton Catholic (17-5) vs. #2 Lynden Christian (21-2) at Lynden HS, 2 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#5 Seattle Academy (15-6) vs. #4 Freeman (20-2) at West Valley (Spokane) HS, 2 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#6 Royal (20-5) vs. #3 Annie Wright (21-1) at Tacoma CC, 4 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#16 Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) (11-13) vs. #9 King’s (15-8) at Shorewood, 4 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#13 Sultan (15-6) vs. #12 Montesano (19-6) at Tumwater HS, 4 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#14 Bellevue Christian (14-9) vs. #11 Riverside (17-6) at West Valley (Spokane) HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
No.1 NOOKSACK VALLEY GIRLS (22-1) vs. No.8 TOPPENISH (16-8)
Saturday, 4 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School
If Pioneers win: Play Thursday, Feb. 29, 5:30 p.m. in quarterfinals
If Pioneers lose: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 9 p.m. vs. Cashmere-Cedar Park (Bothell) winner in loser-out game
Regional outlook: Everybody is pointing at Nooksack as the heavy favorite and for good reason. The Pioneers return most of their key players, including all-state guard Devin Coppinger, from last year’s state title team. But there will be some major tests starting with the running-wild Wildcats, who at district shocked Wapato and Zillah, two teams that had each beaten Toppenish twice during the regular season. Other challengers include unbeaten Deer Park and last year’s other semifinalists — Wapato, King’s, and, as always, Lynden Christian.
Coach Shane Wichers: “I feel pretty good about where we’re at right now. We’ve had a great season. Now we’re preparing for what we call the third season and hoping to get a win against Toppenish. They’re coming in playing well, so we’ve got our work cut out for us. We’re just excited about this next opportunity and the chance to get back to Yakima.”
No.3 LYNDEN CHRISTIAN GIRLS (16-7) vs. No.6 LAKESIDE (NINE MILE FALLS) (19-4)
Saturday, noon, at Lynden High School
If Lyncs win: Play Thursday, Feb. 29, 7:15 p.m. in quarterfinals
If Lyncs lose: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 3:45 p.m. vs. Cascade Christian-Montesano in loser-out game
Regional outlook: Lynden Christian comes in with a deceptive seven losses all of which were against 2A and 3A playoff teams and top-ranked 1A Nooksack Valley. The return of all-state guard Grace Hintz gives LC not only big-time firepower but state experience, the lack of which is the Lyncs’ only weakness. It’ll be a tough road to reach the state championship game for the sixth tournament in a row starting with the physical Eagles from just north of Spokane, whose four losses include three to undefeated Deer Park. But those who count out the LC girls at state do so at their own peril.
Coach Brady Bomber: “We don’t have a bunch of kids that have played in two or three state tournaments (as they have in the past). It’ll be interesting to see how we respond. We didn’t shy away from challenging ourselves in our non-league schedule … and now that Grace is back, the (other) players are better having had to grow. There’s still a lot of room for this group to grow so we’re not a finished product, but we hope to come out swinging on Saturday.”
CLASS 1A GIRLS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 23
#15 Annie Wright (16-7) vs. #10 Seattle Academy (14-9) at Bellevue CC, 6 p.m.(winner to state tournament, loser out)
#13 Eatonville (15-5) vs. #12 Seton Catholic (18-5) at Battle Ground HS, 8 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Saturday, Feb. 24
#6 Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) (19-4) vs. #3 Lynden Christian (16-7) at Lynden HS, noon (both to state tournament)
#14 Cascade Christian (16-7) vs. #11 Montesano (15-9) at Tumwater HS, 2 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#5 Wapato (21-4) vs. #4 King’s (16-9) at Shorewood HS, 2 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#8 Toppenish (16-8) vs. #1 Nooksack Valley (22-1) at Mount Vernon HS, 4 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#7 Bellevue Christian (22-1) vs. #2 Deer Park (23-0) at West Valley (Spokane) HS, 4 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#16 Cedar Park Christian (Bothell) (12-12) vs. #9 Cashmere (18-5) at Wenatchee HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
Class 2A
No.1 LYNDEN BOYS (20-4) vs. No.8 PROSSER (17-8)
Friday, 6 p.m. at Lynden High School
If Lions win: Play Thursday, Feb. 29, 5:30 p.m. in quarterfinals
If Lions lose: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 9 p.m. vs. Enumclaw-Pullman winner in loser-out game
Regional outlook: In Lynden’s storied boys basketball history, the Lions have never won three state titles in row. And for them to pull it off this year — and win their fifth state title in the past six tournaments — they’ll have to get through a minefield of really good 2A squads, starting with the Mustangs. Prosser is another run-and-gun Yakima team, but thanks to two-time MVP Anthony Canales, the Lions can gun and play defense with anyone. This is a rematch of last year’s semifinal that Lynden won by 18, but it’s two different teams and as the coach says, you can’t carry over any of the points.
Coach Brian Roper: “I think the tournament is wide open. We respect (Prosser). They press and create havoc on defense. And you’d better have your track shoes on. But our guys are well-connected and motivated, and we have good senior leadership. They’ll bring their best game, and I can live with the results. Our focus has always been to be one of the two best teams in our district (and get to state). There were four top-10 teams in our district, and a couple of really good teams are going to be at home.”
CLASS 2A BOYS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 23
#8 Prosser (17-8) at #1 Lynden (20-4), 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#16 Enumclaw (16-8) vs. #9 Pullman (16-6) at Cheney HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#7 Rogers (Spokane) (16-5) at #2 Grandview (22-3), 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#6 Mark Morris (19-5) vs. #3 North Kitsap (20-4) at Tacoma CC, 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
Saturday, Feb. 24
#14 R.A. Long (16-7) vs. #11 Bremerton (17-6) at Tacoma CC, 10 a.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#15 W.F. West (16-7) vs. #10 Sammamish (17-8) at Issaquah HS, 4 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#5 Anacortes (20-5) vs. #4 Renton (18-6) at Bellevue CC, 6 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#13 White River (19-5) vs. #12 Columbia River (17-7) at Battle Ground HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
No.2 LYNDEN GIRLS (23-1) vs. No.7 WHITE RIVER (20-3)
Friday, 8 p.m., at Lynden High School
If Lions win: Play Thursday, Feb. 29, 2 p.m. in quarterfinals
If Lions lose: Play Wednesday, Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. vs. North Kitsap-Sammamish winner in loser-out game
Regional outlook: Can anyone stop two-time state champion Ellensburg and its 72-game winning streak? Well, the last one to beat the Bulldogs is Lynden’s 2020 state championship team and the two teams could be headed for a finals showdown. But the Lions better not look past the pesky Hornets, who stung Lynden last year in the same regional scenario and who lost to Lynden by 11 earlier this season without their 6-foot-3 center who is back and healthy. This year, however, the Lions are a year tougher and have freshman standout Finley Parcher. So watch out, Yakima.
Coach Rob Adams: “White River is one of the teams that have played us the closest and they’re going to be a challenge. But the tournament is wide open. Ellensburg is the two-time champ and unbeaten, but I think there’s four or five teams capable of winning it. We’re excited because we feel that we have just as good a chance as anyone.”
CLASS 2A GIRLS STATE REGIONALS
Friday, Feb. 23
#16 Kingston (14-9) vs. #9 Ridgefield (20-3) at Battle Ground HS, 6 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#8 Columbia River (19-6) at #1 Ellensburg (21-1), 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#7 White River (20-3) at #2 Lynden (23-1), 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
#6 Archbishop Murphy (19-5) at #3 W.F. West (20-3), 8 p.m. (both to state tournament)
Saturday, Feb. 24
#5 Clarkston (23-0) vs. #4 Prosser (19-5) at Kamiakin HS, noon (both to state tournament)
#13 Mark Morris (14-9) vs. #12 Enumclaw at Auburn HS, noon (15-8) (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#15 North Kitsap (13-10) vs. #10 Sammamish (16-7) at Issaquah HS, 2 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
#14 West Valley (Spokane) (13-9) vs. #11 Port Angeles (17-7) at Tacoma CC, 2 p.m. (winner to state tournament, loser out)
