What a year for Whatcom County basketball! Nine high school teams are in their respective state tournaments with four schools sending both their boys and girls teams.
So congratulations to the Lummi Nation boys and girls, the Lynden boys and girls, the Lynden Christian boys and girls, the Meridian boys and girls, and the Nooksack Valley girls.
Great job! But you’re far from done.
While regionals were held at various venues last Friday and Saturday and are considered state tournament games, all nine of our teams now head to the official state sites — the Yakima SunDome for 1A and 2A teams and the Spokane Arena for 1B schools.
The 12 teams in each tournament will vie for six state trophies, including the coveted “gold ball” state championship trophy.
In all the tournaments, Wednesday’s first-round games are loser-out contests. Wednesday’s winners will then play regional winners on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Semifinals will be on Friday and the championship games on Saturday.
Here’s a quick look at the schedule for our county teams for the first two days. After that, it will depend on whether the teams win or lose earlier games.
Class 2A and 1A
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
First round
Meridian boys vs. Bellevue Christian, 12:15 p.m. (loser out)
Meridian girls vs. Annie Wright, 5:30 p.m. (loser out)
Nooksack Valley girls vs. Zillah, 9 p.m. (loser out)
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Quarterfinals
Lynden girls vs. Ellensburg-Liberty (Issaquah) winner, 10:30 a.m.
Lynden Christian boys vs. Meridian-Bellevue Christian winner, 12:15 p.m.
Lynden boys vs. Toppenish-Prosser winner, 5:30 p.m.
Meridian girls (if they win Wednesday) vs. Cashmere, 5:30 p.m.
Lynden Christian girls vs. Nooksack Valley-Zillah winner, 9 p.m.
Class 1B
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
First round
Lummi Nation girls vs. Oakesdale, 3:45 p.m. (loser out)
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Quarterfinals
Lummi Nation boys vs. Selkirk-Riverside Christian winner, 12:15 p.m.
Lummi Nation girls (if they win Wednesday) vs. Neah Bay, 3:45 p.m
